The Biomasud Plus project (no. 691763 of the H2020 program), aims to improve the BIOmasud® quality and sustainability certification system for Mediterranean biomasses, will end on December 31 of this year 2018 and therefore faces the last pending works in the following weeks.
Among the reports and technical studies or activities that have been carried out, we can highlight the following ones:
- Mediterranean biomass market. During task 2.1, a market study was carried out in Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Turkey. In addition, a SWOT analysis of the Mediterranean biomasses was made in each country and then consolidated with the common conclusions.
- Quality of Mediterranean biofuels. A total of 347 Mediterranean biomass samples were collected and characterized for standardization and inclusion in the certification system. Several new biomasses has been introduced in the certification system, such as olive pruning, vine shoots, walnut shells and pistachio. Reports regarding the quality characterisation and classification are available for downloading in the deliverables 3.2 and 3.3 on the project’s WEB.
- Sustainability criteria in the BIOmasud® system. The consortium has already concluded reviewing the sustainability requirements for the system. Depending on the origins of the different Mediterranean biomasses, they must meet certain requirements. In the pilot audits that are being carried out in the companies, these requirements included in the manual have been tested. The report with the requirements is available on the web under the deliverable 4.1.
- Methodology for calculating energy demand and GHG emissions in the solid biofuels production. During the first half of the project the methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of the different biofuels has been revised. Now it is in line with the one proposed by the European Commission in its proposal for a sustainability directive published in the “winter package”. An on-line platform has been created where the carbon footprint can be calculated and the traceability of certified companies can be followed.
- BIOmasud® certification system. Created during the previous BIOmasud project (Interreg SUDOE), the system has been running for about 3 years. They proposed to conduct two pilot audits in each country that will manage the seal (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Turkey). Most audits are performed and most companies have the process of certification quite advanced with the version of the manual improved with the project.
Although most tasks are completed there are still some important ones as a guide for manufacturers and installers of facilities that consume these Mediterranean solid biofuels to optimize their combustion. These guides are being translated into all project languages.
It is also missing, with the lessons learned in the pilot audits, to carry out a new version of the Biomasud certification manual that will be the definitive version that will be released to the public once the project is finished.
For more information about the BIOmasud® certification or about the Biomasud Plus project, please contact coordinator@biomasudplus.eu