ART Fuels Forum Participation in EUSEW 2017 Policy Conference

The ART-Fuels Forum has successfully organized the session “Advanced biofuels — the voice of the industry” event within the frame of the EUSEW 2017 Policy Conference. The event took place on the 22nd of June in the form of a panel discussion.

The event was introduced by Dr. Kyriakos Maniatis (DG ENER, project officer from the EC) and Dr. Theodor Goumas (EXERGIA S.A., CEO). Then, in the first part of the event, 3 short presentations from the ART Fuels supply industry were delivered. The second part of the event had the form of a “Panel Discussion”, moderated by Dr. Adam Brown (IEA), focusing on the various transport sectors and the respective market perspectives for deployment of advanced biofuels. The event was concluded by Dr. David Chiaramonti (RE-CORD, Director).

With regard to presentations, Dario Giordano (Beta Renewables) presented the prospects of lignocellulosic ethanol suggesting that, as an advanced biofuel, it can be one of the main options to decarbonize transport since there is available feedstock in Europe and the relevant technology is mature. Pauliina Uronen (Neste) presented the status of the Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO)-based advanced biofuels stressing out the fact that HVO fuels are drop-in fuels and that the share of waste and residual feedstock in the HVO industry is constantly increasing. Jennifer Holmgren (Lanza Tech) talked about the requirements for the development of future fuels, arguing that the legislation should be more outcome-based and the policy framework provide support throughout the whole process of crossing the valley of death.

During the panel discussion, several aspects of the policy implementation of advanced biofuels and the provisions of RED II were discussed. As far as aviation is concerned, Maarten van Dijk argued that the international component of aviation complicates things and that the tools to promote advanced biofuels in the aviation sector, as proposed in RED II, may not be sufficient (e.g. multiplier of 1.2). The need to have stable policies to provide confidence to the investors and the necessity to utilize life cycle methods to calculate savings, are the two key elements for the promotion of advanced biofuels in the heavy-duty vehicles sector, according to Patrik Klintbom (Volvo). Further, Per Stefenson (Stena) indicated that the maritime sector has a great potential for decarbonization, but the alternative fuels directed to vessels should be cheaper than oil products.

Focusing on the RED II proposal, Rene Venendaal (BTG) commented that the proposal from the Commission is looking only at 2030, and this is a too short period. Perspectives should be prolonged to 2040-2050 to attract investors to more innovative concepts and attract development of ambitious R&D programmes. Markoo Janhunen (UPM) commented that, if we want to achieve wider decarbonization of transport, we need to establish dedicated targets for more complex feedstocks. He said that the RED II proposal is on the right direction but specific obligations should be enforced.

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