European Bioenergy Research Institute: Opportunities and Investment for Cities Tim Miller Operations Director

ResearchTechnology Projects Industry Collaborations EBRI is a business-facing research Institute at Aston University We specialise in conversion of waste and residues to energy and products We take emerging technologies from the ‘lab’ to commercial application through all key stages of development and support:

Bioenergy Markets Biochar Analysis ‘Green’ Hydrogen Feedstock Analysis Biofuel Analysis CHP Engine Testing EBRI’s Research Interests: Algae Cultivation Intermediate Pyrolysis Gasification

New Waste and Power Technology Example

The Pyroformer Biomass (any feedstock with a heating value) Solid biochar Includes minerals of the plant Liquids for engines Gases for engines Pyroformer The Pyroformer uses thermo- chemical reactions to converts biomass to gas, liquids and charcoal. Heated reactor (Pyroformer) 500 C no air

Solid biochar Includes minerals of the plant Liquids for engines Gases for engines Heat & Electricity from engines Soil enhancer - CO2 capture Pyroformer and CHP

New Institute building powered by Bio-energy

Possible Application of Pyroformer Technology in Birmingham

A vision of low carbon Birmingham 2026 A City powered by waste Currently Birmingham imports 16,000 GWh of energy. A leakage of over £ 1bn from the city economy (excludes transport fuel) The City Council consumes 580 GWh energy - £ 25m

A vision of low carbon Birmingham 2026 Use of 300,000 t/pa of biogenic waste and residue material created within Birmingham. Would deliver 580 GWh (CHP) with 15 installations required to make the council green i.e. all power from biowaste. Offers supply to a hydrogen grid with up to 60 tonnes per day and creates biochar for soil conditioning. It also offers an engine of business growth and development.

Biogas production Biomass production Thermal lines Picture of the stations around Birmingham Heat and Power SNG H2H2 EBRI Greenfinch Ltd ( Ludlow ) 6,000 tpa Demonstrator Rennie & sons(Bedford) 12,000 tpa Severn Trent Water

- Biogas - Biomass - Biochar ProductionDistribution - Canals - Streets - Thermal lines ApplicationStorage - Heating - Power - SNG as substitute to natural gas - Hydrogen powered cars - Heat & Power - Fertiliser - SNG - H 2 - Existing gas storage units ProductionDistributionApplicationStorage

Bioenergy and Business Growth Opportunities in the West Midlands

The role of biomass in UK renewables Equates to £12,000,000,000+ investment in the bioenergy sector in next decade

To achieve this level of bioenergy contribution by 2020 using conventional technologies will be expensive and challenging: Therefore, we need to develop innovative and efficient bioenergy technologies 1.2 kilometres 2 Annual Woodchip Requirement 4 x ‘Big Ben’

Types of business working with EBRI

Examples of EBRI’s industrial engagement: DefenceAdvanced Engineering Sewage Treatment Plastics Food Manufacturing Agriculture Utilities ICT

Improving Investment opportunities Learning from other regions

EBRI support for the commercial development of the bioenergy sector: Overcome barriers to commercialisation of new bioenergy technologies Development of new bioenergy plant requires significant upfront capital investment (technology, infrastructure, operating costs) Investors seek to minimise risk and favour established, proven technologies € Proven technology Predictable operating costs Long-term feedstock contract Secure logistics and supply chain Long-term offtake contract Secure subsidies Emerging technology

Knowledge transfer and business partnerships projects – can ‘de-risk’ investment into innovative technologies 25 Studies across Europe with the BioenNW Interreg project € Proven technology Predictable operating costs Long-term feedstock contract Secure logistics and supply chain Long-term offtake contract Secure subsidies Technology demonstration Operations training & maintenance Feedstock testing & analysis Diversifying available feedstock Build local supply chains Collaborate with industry and partners Inform policy and legislation

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