H2020 SECURECHAIN Project: Ensuring environmentally friendly and future-proof bioenergy chains
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2015 -2018
- Assigned Budget 1.809.586,25 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing H2020
- Project website Proyecto SECURECHAIN
SECURECHAIN's technical support for the SME pilot projects was based on ongoing feedback from the team of local and international experts. Specific sustainability and financing tasks contributed to improving the pilot projects' business concepts. To boost local SMEs, an open call for promising pilot project ideas was simultaneously launched in all the model regions. The scope of the call was purposefully broad and open to all SMEs in the bioenergy sector, with no preference for any fuel type or conversion technology.
However, the pilot project idea had to demonstrate significant potential for boosting biomass mobilization and/or the market adoption of efficient bioenergy systems. In an evaluation, all proposals were ranked according to six criteria, and the most suitable ones were selected (20 out of 40 proposals submitted). An innovation bonus was awarded to SMEs, allowing them to obtain expert advice from a local consultant of their choice to support their proposed solution and business plan.
In addition, SMEs benefited from the consortium's expertise, which offered tailored individual advice, including:
- Assessment of locally available biomass supplies.
- Technical evaluation and testing of new or improved equipment.
- Feasibility of supply chain and logistics configurations.
- Life cycle assessments of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Cost-benefit analysis and operating calculations.
- Financial risk analysis, investment scenarios, business plans.
- Certification training and company pre-audits.
- Training courses, for example, in biomass harvesting, quality, and business plan development. SECURECHAIN developed and tested this approach within a variety of companies and regional environments.
A total of 20 pilot projects were launched, covering the entire bioenergy chain, from biomass harvesting and fuel production to energy conversion and recycling.
The topics covered reflect the variety of bioenergy technical solutions proposed by SMEs:
Biomass Harvesting (8 pilot projects): Efficient harvesting of forest residues; biomass trading center; improved biowaste sorting; low-impact harvesting for landscape maintenance; biomass trading and logistics centers; fast-growing tree plantations; mixed feedstocks; efficient bio-briquette production; strategic storage facilities for quality wood chips. Fuel Production (4 pilot projects): Expansion of wood chip and pellet production and marketing; recycling of wood waste for energy use in wood-based industries.
Energy Conversion (6 pilot projects): Optimal biomass boilers for small municipalities; collaborative/district heating networks; efficient mixed fuels; renovated heating systems; cogeneration plants; improved biogas plant; small cogeneration plants for village communities.
Ash Recycling (2 pilot projects): Wood Ash Pellet Fertilizer To ensure the participation of more market players, the project organized a series of outreach activities.
The Learning Labs included meetings and workshops to raise awareness among local stakeholders about the sustainable use of biomass and bioenergy. Other participatory events included training sessions to strengthen market stakeholders' capacities, company visits, B2B seminars, presentations at industry trade shows and conferences, and roundtable discussions with public authorities and policymakers. During study trips to other countries (Germany, Sweden, Austria), participants were able to visit various bioenergy companies and learn about best practices and the latest systems (benchmarking).
SECURECHAIN focused on bioenergy adoption in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) market. The primary objective was to promote a Sustainable Supply Chain Management practice that met the highest standards of environmental and financial viability, targeting local biomass suppliers and energy producers. Uniquely, the entire bioenergy chain was considered, with sustainability and financing integral to the design.
The project targeted SMEs in six model regions across Europe. Following an open Innovation Voucher competition, SECURECHAIN awarded 20 selected SMEs a mentoring package to support their pilot project. The scope of the pilot projects is broad, ranging from forest harvesting and optimization of wood chip distribution logistics to complete electricity, heating, and cooling supply chains. Learning labs were held in each model region to promote the pilot projects and gain stakeholder buy-in. A sustainability assessment, including life cycle analysis (LCA), measured their direct and indirect impacts. A financial risk assessment of the pilot projects guided the SMEs toward potential investors and regional funding sources.
Already during the SECURECHAIN project's lifetime, the pilot projects initiated have achieved substantial results in terms of biomass mobilized, renewable energy generated, jobs created, and investment driven. Sustainable bioenergy projects represent a challenge for SMEs, as they impact various commercial and environmental aspects throughout the entire supply chain.
SECURECHAIN demonstrated how a hands-on mentoring approach, utilizing a combination of innovation tools such as vouchers, technical and financial advisors, training, life cycle assessments (LCAs), and certification, can effectively help SMEs realize the market potential of bioenergy and achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
SecureChain promotes Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) that meets the highest environmental quality standards and targets local biomass suppliers, energy producers, and financial sector players to mobilize more biomass, maximize the share of sustainable bioenergy in final energy consumption, and reduce transaction costs for greater market acceptance of the most efficient systems in six European model regions. An open call for SSCM pilot projects is being launched, encouraging market players to mobilize and secure additional biomass supplies from regional sources.
Following an objective, merit-based competition, selected SMEs receive 15 to 20 innovation vouchers to implement proposed SSCM pilot projects with the support of specialized advisors. Learning labs for SME groups support the implementation of the most sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in each model region. Proven quality assurance tools are easily installed in the pilot projects, and SMEs receive appropriate training. A comprehensive LCA of pilot supply chains assesses their broader environmental and socioeconomic impacts, ensuring that quality control protocols meet eligible international sustainability standards for high efficiency and a low carbon footprint.
Suppliers are prepared for sustainability certification and ultimately obtain it through independent audits. To facilitate critical financial evidence for market players and financiers, an online supply chain risk assessment is conducted with close mentoring of the pilot teams by financial advisors. Roadshows promoting the pilots demonstrate that future-proof investment proposals can attract local and international capital for secure implementation and the scaling up of efficient solutions. SecureChain leverages and disseminates a widely transferable SSCM model for local bioenergy chains that fosters the sustainable and environmentally compatible mobilization of biomass sources and proactive market promotion through conscious investments in the bioenergy sector.
SECURECHAIN piloted a widely transferable practice for proactively promoting sustainable biomass mobilization and energy efficiency solutions. Sustainable bioenergy projects represent a challenge for SMEs, as they influence various commercial and environmental aspects throughout the entire supply chain. Not all pilot projects are successful, but they increase the knowledge of the project leader and stakeholders. An ex-post evaluation of the SMEs' experience showed significant appreciation, particularly for networking activities. Seventy percent of SMEs responsible for pilot projects reported taking concrete actions based on their participation in SECURECHAIN.
SMART performance criteria were assessed to measure the impact of each pilot project at the end of the project. Substantial results were achieved (sum of all pilots, June 2018):
- Volume of additional biomass mobilized 142,000 tons/year.
- Final renewable energy production 2,300,000 GJ/year.
- Reduction of GHG emissions by 40,100 tons of CO2 eq./year.
- Direct and indirect jobs created: 90 FTEs/year; total investments activated by the project: EUR 10.2 million. SECURECHAIN's pilot demonstrated that a hands-on mentoring approach, using a combination of innovation tools such as vouchers, technical and financial advisors, training, LCA, and certification, can effectively support SMEs in overcoming their specific challenges and unlocking the potential for bioenergy market uptake.
- These tools work best when delivered by well-established local consultants or agencies. The successful results of 20 pilot projects show the potential of this method as a transferable best practice to support market acceptance by SMEs. For more information, see the summary report “SECURECHAIN: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Future-Proofing Bioenergy Chains,” which includes a collection of 15 pilot project fact sheets for SMEs, at http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36351.10403, and the project website at www.securechain.eu.
- B.T.G. BIOMASS TECHNOLOGY GROUP BV (BTG)
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