How to contribute to decarbonizing the energy sector with bioenergy

The Joint Bioenergy Program of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) brings together scientists with a high level of excellence from the main universities, research alliances, technology centers, scientific agencies, institutes and European associations very active in biomass research 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 scientific-technological and innovation priorities and performance indicators (KPIs) with those identified in the SET-Plan.

Likewise, it is aligned with the research lines of the SRIA of the European Technology and Innovation Platform in Bioenergy (ETIP-Bioenergy) and has taken into account contributions from international bioenergy experts in addition to the research priorities common to the other joint programs. from EERA. In this way, this strategic agenda provides valuable guidance for policy makers and public administrations at all levels, especially for those that decide and design research 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 aligning the research priorities and activities of all the organizations participating in EERA Bioenergy and, therefore, of the main European actors in this field, to create a solid scientific-technical base that allows further development of advanced bioenergy pathways; align research priorities and activities with the rest of the agents involved, promoting international cooperation; assess research and innovation priorities to accelerate the advancement of bioenergy and the circular bioeconomy in Europe; promote the possibilities of joint technological development, in order to help accelerate the implementation of the SET-Plan objectives and create a common space for other researchers and interested industry agents to connect with EERA Bioenergy researchers. This will make it possible to further align priorities and establish - undoubtedly - beneficial collaborations.