Projects

New unique technology for production of second-generation (2G) biofuels

In the EU, transport is responsible for about 21% of all greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, and the percentage is rising. In order to achieve sustainable development goals, in particular the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions agreed under the Kyoto Protocol and Paris agreement, it is important to find ways of reducing emissions from transport. The EU is supporting biofuels with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promotion the decarbonisation of transport fuels, diversifying fuel supply sources, provide new income opportunities in rural areas and developing long-term replacements for fossil oil.

EU Strategy for biofuels has two main aims:

1. further promote biofuels in the EU and developing countries to ensure that their production
   and use is globally positive for the environment and to taking into account competitiveness
   contribute to the Lisbon Strategy;
2. to prepare for large-scale use of biofuels by improving their cost-competitiveness through
   the optimized cultivation of dedicated feedstock, research into biofuels "second generation
   (2G)" and support for market penetration through demonstration projects and removing
   non-technical barriers;

From these aims, the European Parliament Council approved the Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC. In addition, Directive 2009/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 amending Directive 98/70/EC as regards the specification of petrol, diesel and gas-oil and introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The present EU biofuels policy focuses on the development of 2G biofuels, overcoming market barriers, and the improvement of distribution and storage systems. Biofuels should be produced in ways that do not cause significant environmental damage or competition with food production, or compromise bio-diversity. This EU Parliament effort was voted on its first reading of the revised Renewable Energy Directive on 17 January 2018, choosing to limit the use of crop-based biofuels and boost second-generation biofuels. The draft legislation says that crop-based biofuels should not exceed 7% of road and rail fuel, the consumption level as of 2017.