A flexible bioeconomy – key factor to enabling investments in large-scale biorefineries

Domestic sustainable biogenic feedstocks are important in the energy system transition, but their use is severely limited by a lack of investment in large-scale biorefineries. One reason is market risks related to future developments in feedstock and product markets.
This project is based on the hypothesis that technologies and technology combinations that are flexible in terms of feedstocks and/or products are associated with lower investment risk. The overall aim of the project is therefore to facilitate large-scale investments by identifying flexible value chains and technologies, providing robustness given uncertain future markets. The project identifies combinations of technologies, which, without reinvesting throughout the value chain, can use different feedstocks and produce for different markets. Bio-CCS is also considered. The identified technologies are evaluated in terms of profitability, greenhouse gas performance, robustness and conflicts between profitability and risk.
Elisabeth Wetterlund
Luleå tekniska universitet

Project information
Participants
Luleå tekniska universitet
RISE Research lnstitutes of Sweden
Schedule
January 2022 – December 2024
Total project cost
4 952 865 SEK
The Swedish Energy Agency's project number
2021-00083
More projects

Synthesis, structure and application of bio-binders for electrodes and refractories in the metallurgical process industries
Carbon is a critical material in several metallurgical industrial sectors, and not just as a reducing agent. The unique chemical and structural versatility, and thermo-physical properties of carbon make it essentially irreplaceable in furnace electrodes…
Manager: Jesse White
Ongoing

Smart storage and supply of straw for biorefinery
Cereal straw is an interesting raw material for biorefineries. Here, we want to investigate the possibility of using straw with increased water content to increase the supply of straw and for so-called smart storage to…
Manager: Carina Gunnarsson
Ongoing

Biogas Scenarios
Biogas is associated with several benefits, that can support a societal transition towards a circular economy with reduced climate impacts. The national public inquiry SOU 2019:63 has therefore proposed a fivefold increase of the Swedish…
Manager: Thomas Hans-Martin Magnusson
Ongoing