How to contribute to decarbonizing the energy sector with bioenergy

The Joint Bioenergy Program of the EurOPEA Alliance for Energy Research (EERA) brings together scientists with a high level of excellence of the main universities, research alliances, technological centers, scientific agencies, institutes and associations eurOpeas very active in research on biomass and bioenergy. Andrea Monti, professor at the University of Bologna and coordinator of Eera Bioenergy, states that «in our strategic research and innovation agenda (Sria), we have managed to align both the scientific-technological and innovation priorities and the performance indicators (KPIS) with those identified in the SET-Plan.

Likewise, it is aligned with the SIA's research lines of the EurOPEA Platform of Technology and Innovation in Bioenergy (ETIP-Bioenergy) and has taken into account contributions of international experts in Bioenergy in addition to the research priorities common to the other EERA joint programs. In this way, this strategic agenda provides a valuable orientation for political leaders and for public administrations at all levels, especially for those that decide and design the framework and innovation framework programs ». 

This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda highlights the consensus reached by researchers on how to face the challenges addressed by decarbonization policies from a research and innovation perspective and through solutions based on the valorization of biomass. The general objective is to accelerate the implementation of the priorities and actions of the SET-Plan to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector and promoting the bioeconomy. In these areas, bioenergy is an essential component of the mix of renewable technologies for all possible climate change mitigation scenarios. 

This strategic research and innovation agenda contributes to align the priorities and research activities of all organizations that participate in Eera Bioenergy and, therefore, of the main euractors in this area, to create a solid scientific-technical base that allows a greater development of the advanced routes of bioenergy; Align priorities and research activities with the rest of the agents involved, in turn promoting international cooperation; Evaluate research and innovation priorities to accelerate the progress of bioenergy and circular bioeconomy in EurOPA; Promote the possibilities of joint technological development, in order to contribute to accelerate the implementation of the objectives of the SET-PAN and create a common space for other researchers and interested agents of the industry to connect with the researchers of Eera Bioenergy. This will allow to further align priorities and establish collaborations - no doubt - beneficial.