How to contribute to decarbonizing the energy sector with bioenergy

The EurEnergy Research Alliance (EERA) Joint Programme on Bioenergy brings together top-level scientists from leading European universities, research alliances, technology centers, scientific agencies, institutes, and euractively involved in biomass and bioenergy research. 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 successfully aligned both our scientific, technological, and innovation priorities and our key performance indicators (KPIs) with those identified in the SET-Plan.”.

Furthermore, it is aligned with the research lines of the SRIA of the EurTechnology and Innovation Platform in Bioenergy (ETIP-Bioenergy) and has taken into account input from international bioenergy experts, in addition to the research priorities common to the other joint EERA programs. In this way, this strategic agenda provides valuable guidance for policymakers and public administrations at all levels, especially those that decide on and design research and innovation framework programs. 

This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda highlights the consensus reached by researchers on how to address the challenges posed by decarbonization policies from a research and innovation perspective, using solutions based on biomass valorization. The overall 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 renewable energy mix for all possible climate change mitigation scenarios. 

This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda helps align the research priorities and activities of all organizations participating in EERA Bioenergy, and therefore of the main eurplayers in this field, to create a solid scientific and technical foundation that will enable further development of advanced bioenergy pathways; align research priorities and activities with other stakeholders, while also promoting international cooperation; assess research and innovation priorities to accelerate the advancement of bioenergy and the circular bioeconomy in Eur; promote opportunities for joint technological development, in order to help accelerate the implementation of the SET-Plan objectives; and create a common space for other researchers and industry stakeholders to connect with EERA Bioenergy researchers. This will allow for further alignment of priorities and the establishment of undoubtedly beneficial collaborations.