Final Report Summary - ATBEST (Advanced Technologies for Biogas Efficiency Sustainability andTransport)
Biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide formed by the degradation of organic material in the absence of oxygen, is a source of renewable energy for electricity generation, heating and transport, which can make a significant contribution to Europe's climate change commitments. However, the production and utilisation of biogas is not yet sustainable, relying on government subsidies to ensure the development of biogas infrastructure is an economically viable investment.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) set targets of a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020 (including 10% of transport fuel). Whilst considerable progress has been made towards this, further development is required in other to ensure the 2020 targets are met in their entirety, along with the more challenging targets that will be set in the future. The ATBEST ITN tackled several key research challenges along the biogas supply chain, helping develop new knowledge and technologies which will improve the competitiveness of this energy source with respect to fossil derived fuels and increase the sustainability of the biogas industry in Europe.
The ATBEST ITN recruited 14 young researchers to work on research challenges along the biogas supply chain in one of the following areas: Feedstock sustainability and digestion; Process monitoring; Biogas upgrading and supply or Optimum biogas utilisation. Each ATBEST fellow carried out industrially relevant research, helping to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the relevant research area and remove bottlenecks along the supply chain. Additionally, fellows participated in industrially relevant training which aimed to develop the young people into leaders of tomorrow in either the biogas industry or in academia. Eleven fellows received training to a doctoral standard.
The outputs of the projects were disseminated across Europe to policy makers, industry, academia and to the general public through the project website, participation in conferences, peer reviewed journal articles and contributions carried by the broadcast and written media.
For more details of the project, please visit the project website via go.qub.ac.uk/atbest or contact the project manager using atbest@qub.ac.uk
The EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) set targets of a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020 (including 10% of transport fuel). Whilst considerable progress has been made towards this, further development is required in other to ensure the 2020 targets are met in their entirety, along with the more challenging targets that will be set in the future. The ATBEST ITN tackled several key research challenges along the biogas supply chain, helping develop new knowledge and technologies which will improve the competitiveness of this energy source with respect to fossil derived fuels and increase the sustainability of the biogas industry in Europe.
The ATBEST ITN recruited 14 young researchers to work on research challenges along the biogas supply chain in one of the following areas: Feedstock sustainability and digestion; Process monitoring; Biogas upgrading and supply or Optimum biogas utilisation. Each ATBEST fellow carried out industrially relevant research, helping to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the relevant research area and remove bottlenecks along the supply chain. Additionally, fellows participated in industrially relevant training which aimed to develop the young people into leaders of tomorrow in either the biogas industry or in academia. Eleven fellows received training to a doctoral standard.
The outputs of the projects were disseminated across Europe to policy makers, industry, academia and to the general public through the project website, participation in conferences, peer reviewed journal articles and contributions carried by the broadcast and written media.
For more details of the project, please visit the project website via go.qub.ac.uk/atbest or contact the project manager using atbest@qub.ac.uk