Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEMPRE-BIO (SEcuring doMestic PRoduction of cost-Effective BIOmethane)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-11-01 al 2024-04-30
SEMPRE-BIO aims to demonstrate novel and cost-effective biomethane production solutions and pathways, deemed essential to achieve the European Green Deal and climate and energy targets for 2030 and the net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and to increase the market up-take of biomethane related technologies.
To that extent, SEMPRE-BIO will set up three European Biomethane Innovation Ecosystems (EBIEs), based in Baix Llobregat (ES), Bourges (FR) and Adinkerke (BE), which are representative of the different baseline situations for biomethane production across Europe. Those initial EBIEs will facilitate long-term replication, by creating an active flow of information and resources for ideas to transform into reality. Through the EBIEs, SEMPRE-BIO will facilitate long-term replication, creating an active flow of information and this information will create future investment opportunities. In particular, five innovative technologies will be tested, which will contribute to diversifying the conversion technology base for biomethane production, and their replication in other plants will be encouraged. On the other hand, a comprehensive technological and economic assessment will be carried out to show the benefits of these solutions compared to fossil gas and conventional biogas upgrading technologies, overcoming existing barriers to their mass adoption. Such assessment will mainly focus on aspects related to the improvement of biomethane production efficiency and cost reduction, but will also have a strong focus on the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, aiming at increasing sustainability and fostering circular economy models.
By implementing the proposed solutions, the project expects to foster circular economy initiatives at the local level and reduce reliance on imports of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). On a larger scale, SEMPRE-BIO aims to promote the use of biomethane as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in transportation and the natural gas grid. This transition is estimated to result in a reduction of approximately 213 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2050.
Overall, the challenge is to decrease investment and operational costs, to optimize feedstock supply, use, identify alternative feedstock as well as reduce their costs, to improve plant efficiency and operations, to factor in the carbon savings and to increase and monetize co-benefits, such as from the commercialization of the digestate or the valorization of residual gas streams.
To that extent, SEMPRE-BIO will set up three European Biomethane Innovation Ecosystems (EBIEs), based in Baix Llobregat (ES), Bourges (FR) and Adinkerke (BE), which are representative of the different baseline situations for biomethane production across Europe. Those initial EBIEs will facilitate long-term replication, by creating an active flow of information and resources for ideas to transform into reality. Through the EBIEs, SEMPRE-BIO will facilitate long-term replication, creating an active flow of information and this information will create future investment opportunities. In particular, five innovative technologies will be tested, which will contribute to diversifying the conversion technology base for biomethane production, and their replication in other plants will be encouraged. On the other hand, a comprehensive technological and economic assessment will be carried out to show the benefits of these solutions compared to fossil gas and conventional biogas upgrading technologies, overcoming existing barriers to their mass adoption. Such assessment will mainly focus on aspects related to the improvement of biomethane production efficiency and cost reduction, but will also have a strong focus on the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, aiming at increasing sustainability and fostering circular economy models.
By implementing the proposed solutions, the project expects to foster circular economy initiatives at the local level and reduce reliance on imports of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). On a larger scale, SEMPRE-BIO aims to promote the use of biomethane as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in transportation and the natural gas grid. This transition is estimated to result in a reduction of approximately 213 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2050.
Overall, the challenge is to decrease investment and operational costs, to optimize feedstock supply, use, identify alternative feedstock as well as reduce their costs, to improve plant efficiency and operations, to factor in the carbon savings and to increase and monetize co-benefits, such as from the commercialization of the digestate or the valorization of residual gas streams.
The SEMPRE-BIO project has reached significant technical and scientific milestones, with progress across all three case studies designed to address diverse biomethane production needs in Europe. Major achievements include comprehensive engineering designs with equipment sizing, process flow diagrams, and the selection of critical technologies.
In Spain (CS1), essential process flow diagrams (PFD) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) were completed, optimizing energy use and safety protocols for biomethane production via hydrogen from a PEM electrolyzer. France (CS2) achieved the selection of a 150 kg/h pyrolysis system and a trickle-bed reactor, allowing efficient biogas production from biomass-derived syngas. Belgium (CS3), experimental tests validated the cryogenic process for converting biogas to liquid biomethane and CO2, confirming high-purity CO2 capture and ensuring efficient operation at a small scale with an alternating heat exchanger system.
Work Package Achievements
WP4: Laboratory-scale testing for CO2 valorization was completed, producing biopolymers and proteins. A 50 L pilot-scale fermenter and solar photobioreactor were constructed, advancing the project to larger-scale trials.
WP5: Preliminary techno-economic and environmental assessments revealed promising cost-saving strategies for each case study.
WP6: A comprehensive communication plan was developed, along with the project website and engagement in numerous conferences. Collaborative efforts with other EU projects are enhancing the project’s policy impact.
WP7: Internal reporting, quality assurance systems, and regular updates on deliverables and milestones have kept the project on track, supporting effective resource management and coordination across teams.
In Spain (CS1), essential process flow diagrams (PFD) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) were completed, optimizing energy use and safety protocols for biomethane production via hydrogen from a PEM electrolyzer. France (CS2) achieved the selection of a 150 kg/h pyrolysis system and a trickle-bed reactor, allowing efficient biogas production from biomass-derived syngas. Belgium (CS3), experimental tests validated the cryogenic process for converting biogas to liquid biomethane and CO2, confirming high-purity CO2 capture and ensuring efficient operation at a small scale with an alternating heat exchanger system.
Work Package Achievements
WP4: Laboratory-scale testing for CO2 valorization was completed, producing biopolymers and proteins. A 50 L pilot-scale fermenter and solar photobioreactor were constructed, advancing the project to larger-scale trials.
WP5: Preliminary techno-economic and environmental assessments revealed promising cost-saving strategies for each case study.
WP6: A comprehensive communication plan was developed, along with the project website and engagement in numerous conferences. Collaborative efforts with other EU projects are enhancing the project’s policy impact.
WP7: Internal reporting, quality assurance systems, and regular updates on deliverables and milestones have kept the project on track, supporting effective resource management and coordination across teams.
Expected results to be develop during SEMPRE-BIO:
*Biomethanation of biogas from sewage sludge after anaerobic digestion: focuses on the conversion of biogas produced from WWTP sludge through anaerobic digestion into biomethane, a renewable energy source.
*PEM electrolysis with hydraulic compression: this result involves the development and demonstration of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis system with hydraulic compression. This technology enables the production of hydrogen from water using renewable electricity..
*Pyrolysis of green waste (woody biomass) and gas cleaning to produce clean syngas: aims to utilize pyrolysis technology to convert green waste into clean syngas. The syngas then will be used as a feedstock for biomethanation.
*Biomethanation of syngas: focuses on the biomethanation process, where the syngas produced from pyrolysis is converted into biomethane.
*Cryogenic cleaning and separation of biogas into liquid biomethane and liquid CO2: the process aims to separate and purify biogas into liquefied biomethane, which can be used as a renewable fuel, while different ways to valorize CO2 will be studied.
*Cost-efficient conversion of CO2 value-added products : this result focuses on the technical feasibility and economic viability of converting CO2 into value-added products.
*Proving lower associated costs of production of biomethane by benchmarking: within the techno-economic analysis innovative technologies are evaluated to identify cost-effective biomethane production with low negative environmental effects and cost reduction potential.
These expected results represent specific technological advancements and process improvements that the SEMPRE-BIO project aims to achieve.
Inside the expected impacts: Having a more efficient, cleaner, and sustainable energy source, as well as safer:
*Biomethane as a substitute for imported LNG: Biomethane has a calorific power equivalent to natural gas.
*Biomethane as a substitute for fuel in transport: serving as a substitute for oil-based fuels, reducing primary energy demand.
*Reduction of CO2 by 213 million tn/year by 2050.
*Diversify energy sources and new routes: Reduce dependence on fossil fuels from foreign producers through local production of biomethane.
*Reduce the need for strategic reserves: the substitution of natural gas with biomethane can contribute to reducing the minimum natural gas reserves required and thus reduce the cost of maintaining them.
*Less extension of critical infrastructure to protect: by promoting local circular projects with short distances between gas production and consumption, reducing the surveillance of kilometers of pipelines in infrastructure.
*Biomethanation of biogas from sewage sludge after anaerobic digestion: focuses on the conversion of biogas produced from WWTP sludge through anaerobic digestion into biomethane, a renewable energy source.
*PEM electrolysis with hydraulic compression: this result involves the development and demonstration of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis system with hydraulic compression. This technology enables the production of hydrogen from water using renewable electricity..
*Pyrolysis of green waste (woody biomass) and gas cleaning to produce clean syngas: aims to utilize pyrolysis technology to convert green waste into clean syngas. The syngas then will be used as a feedstock for biomethanation.
*Biomethanation of syngas: focuses on the biomethanation process, where the syngas produced from pyrolysis is converted into biomethane.
*Cryogenic cleaning and separation of biogas into liquid biomethane and liquid CO2: the process aims to separate and purify biogas into liquefied biomethane, which can be used as a renewable fuel, while different ways to valorize CO2 will be studied.
*Cost-efficient conversion of CO2 value-added products : this result focuses on the technical feasibility and economic viability of converting CO2 into value-added products.
*Proving lower associated costs of production of biomethane by benchmarking: within the techno-economic analysis innovative technologies are evaluated to identify cost-effective biomethane production with low negative environmental effects and cost reduction potential.
These expected results represent specific technological advancements and process improvements that the SEMPRE-BIO project aims to achieve.
Inside the expected impacts: Having a more efficient, cleaner, and sustainable energy source, as well as safer:
*Biomethane as a substitute for imported LNG: Biomethane has a calorific power equivalent to natural gas.
*Biomethane as a substitute for fuel in transport: serving as a substitute for oil-based fuels, reducing primary energy demand.
*Reduction of CO2 by 213 million tn/year by 2050.
*Diversify energy sources and new routes: Reduce dependence on fossil fuels from foreign producers through local production of biomethane.
*Reduce the need for strategic reserves: the substitution of natural gas with biomethane can contribute to reducing the minimum natural gas reserves required and thus reduce the cost of maintaining them.
*Less extension of critical infrastructure to protect: by promoting local circular projects with short distances between gas production and consumption, reducing the surveillance of kilometers of pipelines in infrastructure.