Development of next generation biofuels and alternative renewable fuel technologies for road transport

Support will be given to next generation non-food/feed drop-in biofuel and alternative renewable fuel technologies for energy and transport, which improve substantially beyond the state-of-the-art the performance as regards conversion efficiency, cost and feedstock supply, as well as end use compatibility. Proposals have to address one of the following:

• liquid diesel- and gasoline-like biofuels from biogenic residues and wastes through either chemical, biochemical and thermochemical pathways, or a combination of them;
• liquid gasoline-like biofuels through biogenic upgrading of biogas.

Proposals are expected to bring the technology from TRL 3-4 to 5 (please see part G of the General Annexes).

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 to 5 million would allow this challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Current biofuel and renewable fuel technologies are still not competitive compared to technologies of fossil fuel alternatives. This impedes their further development and market penetration. The specific challenge is to increase the competitiveness of next generation biofuel and renewable fuel technologies while diversifying the fuel supply pathways.

Projects are expected to reduce costs and improve performance of renewable fuels, notably as regards the efficiency, the environment and the society. The proposed solution will contribute to strengthening the EU leadership in this area.