CO2 emissions reduction by industrial integration and value chains creation

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Three industrial sectors (commercial CO2 gas production, biomass power plants, and greenhouse vegetable production), even with their best efforts and technology, are not expected to reach designated levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions. These three industrial sectors would benefit from being integrated under a joint approach with common goals for reducing their CO2 emissions, while in parallel increasing their respective competitiveness.

OBJECTIVES

The general objective of the LIFE-CO2-INT-BIO project is to contribute to the mitigation of CO2 emissions in three energy-intensive industrial sectors, namely, biomass power plants, commercial CO2 gas production, and intensive agri-farming greenhouses, by applying new techniques and methods in those sectors through industrial integration and the creation of new value chains for CO2 as a raw material.

This projects specific objectives are to: 1. Demonstrate and certify the benefits, effectiveness and CO2 reduction potential of an innovative integrated business approach aimed at reducing emissions from three different industrial sectors (biomass power plants, commercial CO2 gas production, and vegetable production in greenhouses) as an instrument to reach EU targets in terms of climate mitigation; 2. Create a new value chain and product in the commercial CO2 industry (by creating a green and sustainable origin for commercial CO2 gas under a new business approach); 3. Increase energy efficiency in industrial processes, increase the use of renewable energy in the EU and meet sustainability development agenda goals, according to EU policies and action plans; 4. Demonstrate the technical and economic viability of a continuous and sustainable capture and cleaning of CO2 from biomass flue gas (very limited experience to date) in order to define an optimum size and promote replicability; 5. Enhance circular economy by turning two waste flows into new materials for other processes: flue gas from biomass combustion and vegetable waste that is currently landfilled with subsequent methane (CH4) emissions; and 6. Disseminate project results in order to replicate or transfer the technology to other locations or industrial sectors.

RESULTS

Expected results: In the pilot project, the following results are expected:

14 844 t of CO2/year emission reduction for the heat supply to the greenhouse (otherwise generated with fossil fuels);

5 387 t of CO2/year emission reduction by burning greenhouse residues instead of disposing them in landfill (reduction of 256 t of CH4/year);

498 t of CO2/year emissions avoided in CO2 liquid production;

133 t of CO2/year emission reduction due to the avoidance of transport to greenhouses;

175 t of CO2/year emission reduction due to reduced carbon footprint of CO2 supply to third parties; and

4.3 t of CO2/year emission reduction due to reduced carbon footprint of 1 863 t/year of waste not transported to landfill (considering 20 km distance).

Additional expected results:

energy savings: reduction on transport energy for CO2 and for residues will account for about 1 281 295 kWh/year;

sustainable forestry: additional requirements of 19 363 t of biomass/year will lead to enhanced sustainable forest management in the area;

waste valorisation: 2 250 t of vegetable waste (from a greenhouse) will be processed as raw material for the power plant, enhancing circular economy. The increased use of biomass will produce 387 t of residues, therefore the net saving on residues will be 1 863 t/year less in terms of landfilling, transport, etc.

The project will contribute to the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. Related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the key target is reaching a 40% reduction by 2030 from the level existing in 1990. To achieve this target, the sectors covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) will need to reduce their emissions by 43% compared to 2005, and the total amount of emission allowances will need to be further reduced. This will enable the EU to move towards a low-carbon economy and implement its commitments under the Paris Agreement.