In Italy, the organisers of the 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan Institute of Energy (JIE). The aim is to co-organize two events in the field of biomass gasification with the support of the Free University of Bozen, Italy. The purpose is to strengthen their collaboration and commitment in the biomass energy field and to build up the conditions for new opportunities to establish research cooperation networks.
According to a statement, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by JIE’s Chairman, Yutaka Kunigo, and Angela Grassi, EUBCE Conference Organizer. With this agreement, EUBCE and JIE will strengthen their collaboration and commitment in the biomass energy field, with the aim to build up the conditions and new opportunities to establish international research cooperation networks in the future.
The first activity under the MoU will be an EU-Japan Small-Scale Biomass Gasification Seminar hosted by the Japanese Conference on Biomass Science (CBS14) that will take place in Higashihiroshima City and Art Center Kurara, Japan on January 16, 2019. The second event will take place during EUBCE 2019 on May 27-30, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Growing interest in small-scale biomass gasification
In recent years, the use of wood and wood residues for heat and power production from small-scale decentralized plants has increased in Japan, thanks to the growing interest in renewable energy and to the adoption of a supportive National policy framework.
At the same time, ongoing research and technology developments across Europe led to significant improvements to small-scale biomass gasification systems and to the implementation of several commercial applications in Europe and worldwide. However, continuous research is still needed to tackle some issues related to the optimization of both processes and technologies in this sector.
These seminars will gather researchers and professionals from Europe and from Japan to share updates and knowledge on the topic of combined heat and power production using small-scale gasification technologies, promoting national and international research networks.
The presentations will introduce the recent technological and research trends in small-scale biomass gasification technologies, the points of strength and the critical issues to address, for an efficient and sustainable production of energy and materials. Solutions and strategies to increase the flexibility of the process will be discussed, such as load modulation and fuel flexibility, as well as effective pathways for the management and the valorisation of gasification by-products such as char and tar.
Methodologies for plant monitoring and for the assessment of the energetic and environmental performance of relevant gasification systems will be also presented, given their importance for different aspects such as the commissioning and authorization of plants and the development of new designs.
Case studies of small-scale gasification applications across Europe will be presented, scientific talks will be complemented by research-oriented technical presentations from technology companies to bring the main stakeholders´interests together.
The EUBCE Conference programme is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre. The event is supported by European and international organizations such as the European Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Natural Sciences Sector, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA), The Central European Initiative (CEI), Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) and other organizations.
