In the last decades it has become increasingly clear that fossil fuel resources are scarce, finite and their use can harm the environment and our climate. Besides reducing our CO2 emissions – a need recognized in the Paris agreement (2015) – increasing renewable energy production will ensure enhanced security of supply, more innovation, jobs and growth.
Bioenergy is an essential form of renewable energy, providing an estimated 60% of EU’s renewable energy production in 2017. Bioenergy is a complex and sometimes controversial topic. There is an increasing understanding that only bioenergy that is supplied and used in a sustainable manner has a place in a low carbon energy future.
Spurred by innovation, bioenergy technologies are becoming more advanced and diverse, leading to the production of a variety of advanced transport fuels (first- and second-generation bioethanol, biodiesel and bio-kerosene), intermediate bioenergy carriers and high efficiency, low carbon emission production of power, heating and cooling. Besides erecting entirely new bioenergy plants, retrofitting existing facilities, meaning the replacement of part of a plant or installation with state-of-the-art equipment, can be a good alternative solution to replace fossil fuels or to upgrade outdated renewable technology. Retrofitting often results in lower capital expenditure (CAPEX), shorter lead times, faster implementation, lower production time losses and risks.
The BIOFIT project is a HORIZON2020 initiative that aims to facilitate the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in five specific industries, namely first-generation biofuels, pulp and paper, fossil refineries, fossil firing power and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants.
The overall objective of the BIOFIT project is to facilitate the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in said industries, leading to an increase in the share of renewable energy in the final EU energy consumption.
