ACTIVITY REPORT 2009-2014 - LTH · 2014-12-09 · 5 LU Biofuels activity report 2009-2014 BIOFUELS...

LU Biofuels activity report 2009-20142

ACTIVITY REPORT

2009-2014


Foreword by Gunnar Lidén and Henrik Stålbrand

Who We AreNetwork for Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration

Biofuels and Biorefineries Paving the way for a Sustainable development

Activities Stimulating ideas, projects and collaboration

Workshops and SeminarsNetworking and knowledge-sharing

Showcase projects Developing tools for the transition into a biobased economy

Reaching out to Society Involving the community, politicians and schools

Education and public awareness Inspiration, involvement and knowledge sharing

Strategic collaborations Making ourselves heard, seen and an attractive partner

Member research groupsA multidisciplinary network of scientists

03040506081021222426

www.lubiofuels.org


FOREWORD

Research on biofuels is of a long term strategic inte-rest to a Society struggling to meet energy needs in a sustainable manner. Let’s be clear from the beginning. Biofuels is not the simple answer to this highly complex question. However, biofuels are part of the answer. In addition to biofuels, we also need to consider produc-tion of other chemicals and materials integrated with the production of biofuels using a biorefinery concept.

Lund University is since many years a major research actor on biofuels and biorefineries in Sweden. This is true not least for the biochemical conversion routes, covering the entire process chain of biomass pretreatment, fractionation, enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial conversion, strongly backed by fundamental research in the biological disciplines. The research activities lie not only within science and technology. Techno-economic assessment of various process scenarios, systems analyses on the overall environmental impacts, and studies on effects of policies and economic regulations are all made at Lund University.

LU Biofuels is a dedicated cross-disciplinary effort made by Lund University to bring together researchers and collaborating partners in a dynamic network. We do this by arranging meetings, seminars, courses and discussion groups. We are strong believers that this stimulates more productive research and shapes more productive researchers. In this report, we have tried to summarize our activities since the start of LU Biofuels in 2009.

LU Biofuels is also a natural node for external connections. Our steering group can assist partners to find the right researcher or information that you are looking for. We are always open for new suggestions, contacts or collaborative efforts outside as well as inside of academia. At our web page (www.lubiofuels.org) you can find information on both past and present events!

Henrik Stålbrand Gunnar Liden, Biochemistry and Structural Biology Chemical Engineering [email protected] [email protected]


WHO WE ARE

where all parts of the renewable resources are utilised.LU Biofuels was formed in 2009 after a decision by the Vice-Chancellor and has since then had strategic support from the University to further strengthen the cross-disciplinary research within the important area of biofuels and biorefineries.

LU Biofuels connects researchers from the following divisions/units (see further information on pages 24-25): Applied Microbiology, Biochemistry and structural biology, Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies (IMES) and International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE).

We stimulate multidisciplinary research collaboration to reach the goals of a fossil free society

LU BIOFUELSis a network of researchers within Lund University, which links together leading competences on biological conversion of biomass in a cross-disciplinary manner. LU Biofuels creates research synergies allowing us to effectively address the transition from petro-chemically based fuels, materials and chemicals to a sustainable production based on renewable resources. LU Biofuels connects researchers in technology, natural science, systems analysis and economy to stimulate collaborations that efficiently will contribute to new solutions in the strive for a fossil free society. Together the scientists take on research questions related to biotechnical process development for the production of energy, chemicals and materials from biobased resources. LU Biofuels has a focus on 2nd generation (lignocellulosic) biofuels and biorefinery concepts,

SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERIES


BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERIES

To achieve the transition to a fossil free society, research and technology development are required to facilitate development of production methods based on renew-able raw materials.

Biomass is a considerably more complex raw material than fossil oil, and hence requires a different and partly new toolbox of processing methods to be converted into desirable molecules. By using enzymes, Nature’s own catalysts, which during millions of years have evolved to degrade and convert biobased raw materials into build-ing blocks, new and innovative production methods can be designed for the production of fuels, chemicals, and materials of the future.

In a Biorefinery, a highly efficient utilization of all parts of the biomass is strived for. A biorefinery is a broad, cross-disciplinary technology platform where all side-streams are used for cost-efficient production of value added chemcials, materials, fuels and energy (see fig-ure below).

Industrial Biotechnology is a key enabling technology for successful transition into a biobased society where our consumer products and energy needs are produced from biomass.

Besides the need for new technological solutions, the transition into a biobased society also needs systems analysis describing the environmental effects of the use of different energy forms and renewable resouces. Policy studies, economic analysis and studies of market needs and trends is a prerequisite for a sucessful devel-opment and implementation of new and innovative pro-cesses and products. LU Biofuels benefits from a broad and interdisciplinary network, enabling knowledge shar-ing and synergistic collaborations.


The working board of LU Biofuels (1-2 participants from each constituting member) meets every second month. At the regular meetings common interests are discussed, potential collaborations are identified and joint activities are planned. Already from start, it was evident that promoting increased interactions between researchers from different disciplines at Lund University was equally important as interactions with actors outside the university. In order to establish LU Biofuels as a central platform for biofuels and biorefinery research and to strengthen the internal network at Lund University, seminars, workshops, courses and networking activities have continuously been organised. To spread information about the ongoing research activities in the area of biofuels and biorefinery concepts at Lund University and to network with actors from industry and public organisations, LU Biofuels has participated at various public events related to bioenergy and biofuels,

ACTIVITIESand has made efforts to market their activities in media. LU Biofuels has also been presented at several international and national conferences and public events.


”Networking among younger researchers is an important way of facilitating new ideas and intersdisciplinary collaboration”


LU Biofuels as a strategic research platform at Lund University October 23, 2009The first workshop that was organized addressed LU Biofuels as a strategic research platform at Lund University. This event, which was held at IKDC, attracted more than 100 people and was very well received.

Cross-disciplinary research topicsOctober 22, 2010A workshop on cross-disciplinary research topics was organized at the Pufendorf institute. More than 40 PhD-students took part in an activity directed towards

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS

biofuels for transportation and to give an opportunity to meet colleagues in policy, industry, and research!

Research and strategies towards a fossil-free societyMay 21, 2013The aim of the LU Biofuels Day in May 2013 was to combine strategiests and experts views on current biofuels practice with futuristic scenarios, and inspire new interdisciplinary collaborations. The topic for presentationsns and discussions was research and strategies towards a fossil-free society.

Enzymatic and sustainable biomass valorisationDecember 11-12, 2013In December 2013 a workshop focusing on the use of carbohydrate active enzymes as important tools for the valorisation of biomass into novel products was held at Palaestra in Lund. The workshop highlighted the development of innovative enzymatic tools and processes much needed for the development into a biobased economy, together with an interdisciplinary approach and the emergence of new value chains. The workshop was co-organized by LU Biofuels and the research programmes SuReTech financed by Formas och BioForm financed by Vinnova.

Assessing availability of biomass for bioenergy purposes Oct 22, 2014A bioenergy symposium was arranged at IKDC with speakers Lynn Wright from WrightLink Consulting, USA and Lars Rytter from SkogForsk.

finding new solutions on sustainability problems in a cross-disciplinary manner

What are the fuels of the futureMay 7, 2012A workshop was organized addressing the topic of future energy sources. The workshop which was held at Kulturen in Lund stimulated many interesting multidisciplinary discussions.

Integrated biofuel production. Policy and Technology.November 29, 2012.In November 2012, LU Biofuels and the F3 Centre co-organised an open seminar on Integrated Biofuel Production: Technology and Policy at Palaestra in Lund. The seminar aimed at giving an update on current developments in sustainable


MORE THAN

PHDTHESESof relevance to the field were produced at Lund University between 2009-2014

60


ments, as biotechnological tools.

• Structure-function relationships in glycoside hydrolases (GH). Identification of determinants for stability, specificity or product yield on molecular level, to allow development. Studies include the a-amylase family (GH13 and 57), b-glucosidases and endoglucanas-es (Gh1, 3 and 12) and xylanases (GH10, 11 and 43).

The research is supported by EU (FP7, SeaBiotech), The Swedish Research Council Formas (SuReTech) and by Lund University Antidiabetic Food Centre (Transformed carbohydrates, LU-AFC, Vinnova).

Contributing researchers: Eva Nordberg-Karlsson, Javier Linares Pastén

SHOWCASE PROJECTS

BIOCATALYSTS FOR BIOMASS CONVERSIONProf. Eva Nordberg Karlsson, [email protected]

The overall structure of a recently isolated xylosidase from a lactic acid bacterium from the genus Weissella. The enzyme is classified under glycoside hydrolase family 43 and acts on short xylooligosaccharides. (figure by J Linares Pastén)

Renewable biomass holds raw-ma-terials with potential for sustainable production of chemicals, materials and fuels. The major part of biomass (75%) is composed of carbohydrates (i.e. starch, hemicellulose and cel-lulose). However, a major limitation when it comes to its conversion, is performance of currently available biocatalysts at industrially relevant conditions. The research group led by Prof. Eva Nordberg Karlsson is engaged in selection, development and production of novel tools includ-ing enzymes and microorganisms for carbohydrate conversions to products such as health promoting food ingre-dients (e.g. oligosaccharides, antioxi-dants), specialty (e.g. surfactants) and platform chemicals (organic acids and ethanol). Main focus areas include:

• Extremozymes: novel en-zymes from microorganisms adapted to extreme ecological conditions, such as hot environ-

Photo: Eva Nordberg-Karlsson


amount of biomass degradation prod-ucts, potentially inhibiting the ferment-ing microorganism and lowering its productivity.This Ph.D. work has focused on map-ping and investigating several of these problems. The results of the research provide a comprehensive rheological characterization of steam pretreated spruce and include insights on rheo-logical changes, agitation effects and scale-up issues during enzymatic deg-radation of lignocellulosic biomass to sugars. The results also demonstrate the potential of design strategies to en-hance xylose co-consumption at high solids loadings in combined hydroly-sis and fermentation processes. The main part of this work was carried out within the European BIOLYFE project, led by the Italian company Biochem-tex, which resulted in the construction of the world’s first commercial-scale lignocellulosic bioethanol production plant in northern Italy. The research was carried out at the Department of Chemical Engineering, with funding from the Swedish En-ergy Agency and the BIOLYFE project (within the European 7th Framework Programme).

Contributing researchers:Benny Palmqvist, Kim Olofsson, Mag-nus Wiman, Adnan Kadić, Gunnar Li-dén.

PROCESSING LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS INTO ETHANOL- Implications of High Solid Loadings Dr. Benny Palmqvist, Chemical [email protected]

SHOWCASE PROJECTS

Fuel ethanol produced from lignocel-lulosic biomass has the potential to provide a sustainable replacement for traditional, oil-based fuels. The first full-scale production facilities started producing ethanol in 2014. Despite these advances, a number of chal-

lenges remain to be solved in order for full-scale production to be successful. Many of these challenges originate in the need to work at high solid loadings, which potentially reduces both invest-

ment and operating costs, enabling an economically feasible process. Due to the complex structure of lignocellu-losic biomass, concentrated biomass suspensions typically exhibits high viscosities and strong non-Newtonian flow behavior. This causes process-

ing issues, for example poor mass and heat transfer due to mixing limitations, which can lead to reduced yields and productivity. Furthermore, working at high solid loadings increases the


COMPETITIVE AND INNOVATIVE BIOREFINERIES IN SWEDEN - from technical potential to practical implementationProf. Pål BörjessonEnvironmental and Energy Systems [email protected]

SHOWCASE PROJECTS

A transition from a fossil-based econ-omy to a bio-based is an important strategy to combat climate change. In a bio-based economy, biomass re-sources from forestry and agriculture will be increasingly utilised for a variety of products, such as food, fibre, fuels, chemicals, materials etc. To reduce the potential risk of enlarged compe-tition between different biomass uti-lisations, it is crucial to optimise the conversion systems of biomass raw material from a resource efficiency and economical point of view. In a unique mult idiscipl inary project involving researchers from Environmental and energy systems studies, Chemical Engineering and Centre for innova-tion, research and competence in the learning economy (CIRCLE), the op-portunities and challenges for a commercial imple-mentation of cost efficient and inno-vative biorefineries in Sweden based on biochemical conversion of lignocel-lulose have been assessed. The pro-ject results will contribute with impor-tant knowledge to existing forest- and chemical industry and district heating sector on how to start co-operating using integrated infrastructures and develop new production systems for additional products. This will contrib-ute to the chances of each sector to maintain their respective future com-petitiveness. Another aspect of the

project has been how energy and cost efficient processes and production systems can be designed. Moreover the supply of feedstock in form of straw and logging residues which fulfil exist-ing sustainability criteria has been in-vestigated. One outcome from the pro-ject is a suggestion of suitable regional locations based on feedstock supply and infrastructure for technical inte-gration, and non-technical/economical barriers (and drivers) which exist in respective sector. For instance, when discussing a straw-based ethanol pro-

duction, based on infrastructure and access to raw ma-terial, two regions in Sweden, Skåne and Östergöta-land, have been identified as more suitable. Based on the results from this project, recom-mendations can be given to potential investors in biore-fineries and to pol-

icy makers regarding how new policy incentives may be designed to accel-erate the commercial implementation of biorefineries in Sweden. Moreover, the project will provide insights in how the industry sectors can be more ac-tive.

Contributing researchers:Pål Börjesson (project leader), Anna Ekman, Ola Wallberg, Elisabeth Joels-son, Lars Coenen and Hanna Martin, Lund University.

“Besides demanding stronger policies from politicians, the industry itself must also become more clear and more ac-tive in expressing their needs and demands for a future development to the political community.”


Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus: an ideal hydrogen producer?Dr. Sudhanshu S. Pawar Applied [email protected]

Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus is an extremely thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive and cellulolytic microorganism with a natural ability to produce hydrogen (H2) at nearly theoreti-cal maximum yield, i.e. 4 mol/ mol of glucose. Due to its CO2-free combustion and high energy density, among other desirable properties, H2 is touted as a fuel of the future. Biologi-cal H2 production by thermophilic microorganisms utilizing waste biomass holds a huge potential as the most environment friendly process for commercial H2 production. For this reason, it is im-perative to identify and develop a microorganism with the most beneficial properties. During this work, the physiology and metab-olism of C. saccharolyticus was studied in detail, revealing that – i) it can sustain its growth without removal of H2 from the reactor, ii) it can utilize the sugars from wheat straw hydrolysate effectively for its growth and produce H2 with 67% conversion efficiency, iii) Methane can replace N2 as a sparging gas for removal of H2 from the culture, without affecting the growth and H2 production, iv) by-products of its fermentative metabolism can be converted to methane by anaerobic digestion, v) it is capable of assimilating sulphate as a primary sulphur source, vi) it can form biofilms when co-cultured with C. owensensis, which can be an effective means of retaining biomass in the reactor, and vii) Up-flow anaerobic (UA) reactor with granular sludge offer better alternative that a continu-ously stirred-tank reactor for improving its volumetric H2 productiv-ity (QH2).Moreover, to improve the QH2 further, methods of evolutionary engineering were used to develop osmotolerant mutant strains of C. saccharolyticus: i) C. saccharolyticus G10, capable of growing in a medium containing up to 100 g/L of glucose, and ii) C. sac-charolyticus AG6 capable of growing in a medium containing ap-prox. 13.2 g/L of sodium aceate and 30 g/L of glucose. Indeed, the cultivation of one of the osmotolerant strains in a chemically optimized medium improved the QH2.Furthermore, experiments were performed to under-stand the barriers to genetic modification of C. saccha-rolyticus and uracil-auxorophic strains of C. saccharo-lyticus were developed, which can be used as a host to perform genetic modifications.In conclusion, the knowl-edge and newfound proper-ties obtained in this study should be combined to cre-ate a strain of C. saccharo-lyticus that will fulfil nearly all the requirements to make it into an ideal H2 producer.

SHOWCASE PROJECTS


A PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT - at the heart of biomass conversion Dr. Mats Galbe and Dr. Ola Wallberg Chemical [email protected], [email protected]

SHOWCASE PROJECTS

One of the largest challenges facing the modern society is to find suitable energy carriers to replace fossil fuels - to small or large extent. For more than 50 years we have been used to open the oil taps a bit more to satisfy our requirement for energy; however, an increased awareness of the effects that fossil fuels have on our environ-ment has forced us to look for alter-natives. It is likely that we have to get used to having several options when we decide to buy our new next car in a near future: will it be run on liquid fuels, e.g. diesel or ethanol blends, or maybe a fuel-cell car using hydrogen. Or how about electricity? Maybe biogas?Chemical Engineering has a long tradi-tion of research on methods for con-verting various lignocellulosic materi-als, such as softwood, hardwood and various agricultural residues to ethanol and biogas, ever since Prof. Guido Zacchi started to build up a strong re-search group in the late 1980’s. The basis of the work is a process devel-opment unit (PDU), which has been the centrepiece of their research for about 15 years. The PDU consists

of equipment typically used for frac-tionation, hydrolysis, fermentation and separation of lignocellulosic materi-als, including membrane filtration. In addition, smaller lab-scale equipment is also available. The PDU has been recognized by many companies and universities over the world for commis-sioned work, as well as for in-house research. The batch-wise operating steam-pretreatment reactor has been copied and sold to a number of institu-tions over the world. Dr Ola Wallberg and Dr. Mats Galbe says: “We are now improving our pretreatment capabili-ties by the installation of a continuous steam pretreatment reactor, which will help us to continue to be in the frontline

“We are now improving our pretreatment capabilities by the installation of a continu-ous steam pretreatment reac-tor, which will help us to con-tinue to be in the frontline of research related to conversion of lignocellulosics in a biorefin-ery context”

of research related to conversion of lig-nocellulosics in a biorefinery context”.It is necessary to have a holistic view on the overall utilization of the raw ma-terial: how can the wood - or straw - be exploited in the best manner= “This is always in our minds, Says Ola and Mats, what product mix can be expect-ed, and how can we make a process economic; can we produce liquid, solid and gaseous fuels or some chemicals to improve the yield from our starting material?”.


TAILOR-MADE YEASTS FOR BIOREFINERIESProf. Marie Gorwa-Grauslund, Applied [email protected]

SHOWCASE PROJECTS

The future of biorefineries highly depends on the establishment of efficient processes for the full conversion of biomass into valuable end-products, such as energy, fuels and other bulk and fine chemi-cals. In that context, efficient microorganisms that can catalyse various reactions with high yield and rate are of outmost impor-tance. The Yeast Metabolic Engineering group at the division of Applied Microbiology (TMB), Lund University works on designing tailor-made yeast for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and bulk chemicals. Over the last 15 years, TMB has notably gen-erated a first generation of pentose-fermenting and inhibitor toler-ant yeasts using metabolic engineering. As pentose fermentation does not yet reach the same yield and productivity than hexose fermentation under industrial process conditions, efforts are now being focused on answering the following questions: is it possible to produce even more ethanol (i.e. less byproduct) from pentose sugars? Can it be done faster and in the presence of glucose? Can it be done in the presence of all inhibitors, more particularly acids arising e.g. from the hydrolysis process or from bacterial con-taminants? (Swedish Energy Agency and EU funded projects). In parallel, TMB is investigating the possibility to expand the product range from ethanol to other bulk chemicals of interest, and notably to biopolymer precursors (EU funded projects BRIGIT and BioRE-FINE-2G).


SHOWCASE PROJECTS


ENABLING THE TRANSITION TO A BIO-ECONOMY - innovation system dynamics and policyAssoc. Prof. Kes McCormick, The International Institute for Industrial Enviromental economics (IIIEE)[email protected]

A key factor in the realisation of a successful bioeconomy is the de-velopment of biorefinery systems that are well-integrated into the existing infrastructure. The IEA de-fines biorefineries as “the sustain-able processing of biomass into a spectrum of marketable products (food, feed, materials and chemi-cals) and energy (fuels, power and heat).” In short, biorefineries aim to provide high versatility in the utili-sation of biomass, and minimise and recycle waste streams. A main goal is to produce both high-value low-volume and low-value high-volume products. Current biorefin-eries in Europe are mostly based on a single conversion technology but a combination of several can reduce overall costs and increase flexibility in product possibilities and power generation. This is known as the integrated biorefinery and it is a key step towards the ad-vanced bioeconomy. This research project, led by CIRCLE, focuses on the question “what promotes and hinders transition pathways to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries in Swe-den?” Contributing to the literature on sustainability transitions, the project examines the role of incum-bent and emergent industries, pol-icy regulations, and regional con-text in a transition to biorefineries

and biofuels. By comparing Swed-ish and international biorefineries, this will provide a thorough exami-nation of the constraining factors and development perspectives for integrated biorefineries in Sweden, which will assist stakeholders in-volved in the current effort to limit the use of fossil fuels and support economic and social development around the bioeconomy. This pro-ject is funded by the f3 Centre and the Swedish Energy Agency and is a collaboration between differ-ent scientific disciplines. The three partners in this project are special-ised within complementary fields: CIRCLE within innovation studies and spatial dynamics of sustain-ability transitions; SP within tech-nological innovation systems stud-ies and in-depth knowledge on the biorefineries; and the IIIEE within policy, governance and sustain-ability.

Contributing researchers:Kes McCormick, Yuliya Voytenko (IIIEE), Lars Coenen (project lead-er), Teis Hansen (CIRCLE), Hans Hellsmark, Johanna Mossberg (SP).

SHOWCASE PROJECTS


PUBLIC EVENTS

2009Skånes Energiting, Malmö, June- participated with conference booth and posters

World Bioenergy: Clean Vehicles & Fuels, Stockholm, September

Biogasproduktionens möjligheter SLU Alnarp, September

The third Symposium for Biotech Research, SBR3, DTU, Copenhagen, November 11- participated with conference booth and posters

Etanol från lignocellulosa, Program conference by the Swedish Energy Agency, Stockholm, November

Symposium for biotech Research – DTU, Lyngby Nov 11

REACHING OUT TO SOCIETYProcessing biomass – Ph.D. course, SLU Uppsala, October

Energy and Sustainability – A Master course at LUCSUS, Lund October

2010Vätgas på Österlen, Simrishamn, November

Symposium for biotech Research – DTU, Lyngby Nov 10

2011Bioraffinaderi Öresund - för en hållbar ÖresundsregionLund, October 26

Skånes Energiting, Malmö, June- participated with conference booth and posters

2012Borgebys Fältdagar- Borgeby, June

2013Skånes Energiting – Malmö, June- participated with conference booth and posters

Sustainability Day, Malmö, December 3, - participated with conference booth and posters

2014Skånes Energiting – Malmö, June- participated with conference booth and posters

FILM ABOUT BIOREFINERY RESEARCH AT LTH In a series of 14 different films pub-lished on June 5, 2014, LTH re-searchers are telling abuot 14 highly relevant research areas. LU Bio-fuels participated in one film about biorefineries, “Experience LTH at Lund University: Biorefineries”. The film can be found on youtube.


COURSESLU Biofuels has organized three courses with participants both from Lund University and other universities as well as industry.

REPORTS ON ENERGY CROPS FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTIONDuring 2012-13, three reports were written by Lovisa Björnsson and partly financed by LU Biofuels. Other financers were Formas and Region Skåne:

Course Date Credits (hp)

No. of partici-pants

Location Participants from

The Biofuels of today and tomorrow

Aug. 22-25, 2011

4 32 Pufendorf insti-tute, LU

LU, SLU, LuTH, SCA, Perstorp, Novozymes, VTT

Bioenergy and GHG ac-counting

Spring 2012

5 14 IMES, LU LU, Linnéus Univ.

LCA and Process Design Aug. 20-22, 2012

3 18 Chemical Center, LU

LU

EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

Lovisa Björnsson. 2012. Energi-grödor för biogasproduktion. Del 1, odling och arealeffektivitet, Miljö- och energisystem, Lunds Univer-sitet, Rapport Nr 80.

Lovisa Björnsson & Mikael Lantz. 2013. Energigrödor för biog-asproduktion. Del 2, kostnadsef-fektivitet och styrmedel, Miljö- och energisystem, Lunds Universitet, Rapport Nr 81.

Lovisa Björnsson. 2013. Energi-grödor för biogasproduktion. Del 3, energi- och växthusgaseffektivitet, Miljö- och energisystem, Lunds Universitet, Rapport Nr 82.


I"’$ "&' ()*'+*,*-./ $"01)23 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF BIOENERGY

Bioenergy is booming around the world and with the expansion comes exciting opportunities and some disturbing risks. Learning about bioenergy – from technologies, to resources, to policies – is important to the success and sustainability of the bioeconomy. This interactive guide for school students (16-18 years) and teachers opens the door to understanding and engaging in the transition from the fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy. Jump in!

Kes McCormick and Karin Willquist May 2013

It´s the bioeconomy, stupid!LU Biofuels initiated a project with the aim of pro-ducing an inspiring guide on bioenergy for high school students was initiated in spring 2012. Kes McCormick and Karin Willquist wrote and edited a book “It’s the Bioeconomy stupid” which is available online for high school studeitns and their teachers. The book contains several chap-ters describing experiences with bioenergy in different countries around the world such as Sweden, USA, Brazil, China and Ethiopia. The plan for the guide is to create a new interactive approach to stimulate the student’s interest in the subject. The foundation for the guide is the expertise and knowledge of researchers and sci-entists engaged in LU Biofuels.

REACHING OUT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSLearning about bioenergy and biorefinery concepts – from technologies, to resources, to policies – is incredibly important for the success of the bioeconomy. Young people in particular will play a key role in how the bioeconomy develops over time. LU Biofuels has therefore actively participated in activities to reach out to highschool students by giving presentations, offering study visits and producing inspiring text material. Through the initiatives a great number of high school students have been given insights about biofuels and biorefineries and the latest developments in the area.

• Thematic day about energy and climate for the public, Teknikens och Sjöfartens Hus i Malmö, March 26, 2011.

• Presentation for Bladins highschool stu-dents – Malmö, March 28, 2011

• “Energi och hållbarhet i människans tid-sålder”, Research seminar, Pauli gymna-sium, Malmö, Nov. 16, 2011

• Students from ProCivitas highschool in Hels-ingborg made a study visit to learn about biofuels in general and biogas in particular - Lund University (IMES, Chemical engineer-ing), March, 2012

Selected presentations and study visits:


STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS

SLUSLU has been identified by LU Biofuels as an important university partner for future collaborations and common activities. Therefore, scientists from SLU have been invited to give lectures at courses and workshops organized by LU Biofuels.

F3 – a new knowledge center for alternative fuelsLU Biofuels participated in the start-up activities of a national knowledge center for alternative fuels (“Nationellt kunskapscentrum för alternativa drivmedel”), which later developed into a National centre, f3, including both the academic partners Chalmers university, KTH, Linköping University, Lund university, SLU, Umeå University and Luleå University as well as institutes and Industrial partners. The initiative for this centre was taken by Chalmers and the centre received a first seed grant from the Swedish Energy Agency in 2010, and was later granted.

BIOGAS SYDLU Biofuels participated during 2013 as member of the reference group in a prestudy ”Regionalt centrum för hållbara biogassystem i lantbruket” with the aim of building up a regional center for sustainable biogas-systems in the agricultural sector.

LUBIRCIn the summer of 2013, a number of researchers from the LU Biofuels network together with LU Open took initiative to establish an organisation with the aim of enhancing the interactions between LU researchers and the various external actors which will be crucial collaboration partners for future research projects in the transition to a bioeconomy. In a time when industries need to switch from fossil to biobased raw materials, and where customers are demanding ”green” and biobased products, the interest for research results and technical solutions that will help pave the way is increasing. Moreover, the providers of scientific and innovative solutions are becoming increasingly competitive. To capitalize on the long tradition of bioprocess research and the multidisciplinary environment at Lund University, ”Lund University Bio-based Industries Research Center”, LUBIRC, was established. The aim is to work strategically with an outreaching focus to connect with relevant collaborators and actors to strengthen the position of LU researchers in the field of biorefinery and bioprocesses. As a consequence of the LUBIRC initiative, a research portal focusing on biorefinery concepts is being created (www.lth.se/biorefinery), which will help actors outside the university to come into contact with researchers in the area and learn more about the possibilities that their research can create.

National research and innovation agenda “Biorefineries for a green Sweden”During 2012-13, a number of researchers from LU Biofuels participated in the writing of a national research- and innovation agenda in a collaborative effort with SP Energiteknik in Göteborg. The agenda was named “Biorefineries for a green Sweden” and was finalized in May 2013, and handed in to Vinnova. At the same time, the project leaders for the agenda were approached by the Swedish Forest Industry who wanted to seek funding for a national strategic innovation area (SIO) based on nine different agendas in the field of biobased production of chemicals, energy and materials.

In a strategic attempt to advance sustainable solutions for the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources and to position the research performed at Lund University in larger context, LU Biofuels has put large efforts in participating in and strengthening national and international networks on biofuels and biorefinary involving both universities, research institutes and industry.

Below are listed the collaborations and initiatives that LU Biofuels has been and is taking an active part in:


Strategic innovation area “Bioinnovation”LU Biofuels and Lund University has through a representative actively been participating in the process of writing the application to Vinnova for a new SIO-programme together with representatives from other universities and industry and under coordination by the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. In June 2014, Vinnova granted the application for a SIO “New biobased materials, products and services” and the new SIO with the acronym “Bioinnovation” held its first General Assembly meeting in August 2014. Lund University has joined as a member of the SIO and will continue to participate in the work of forming strategic projects and contributing to the transition into a biobased economy in Sweden.

EERACreated in 2007, the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) involves more than 2000 researchers from over 150 organisations in Europe. By cooperating and aligning activities in 13 joint programmes, the aim is to accelerate the development of low-carbon technologies and the emergence of a European low-carbon economy. Through the initiative and efforts of LU Biofuels, Lund University is now part of the EERA Bioenergy as an associate member. LU Biofuels is coordinating the interactions and relations with EERA on the behalf of Lund University. Contact person is Gunnar Lidén.

BICThe Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) was established in 2012 and is a Brussels-based non-profit international association which represents the private sector in the Bio-based Industries (BBI). BIC is a multidisciplinary association and includes sectors covering agriculture, agro-food, technology providers, forestry/pulp and paper, chemicals and energy. LU Biofuels took initiative and coordinated the membership application for Lund University in 2014, and is now approved associated member together with around 200 large companies, SMEs, SME Clusters, RTOs, universities, technology platforms and associations from all over Europe.

Lund University, through LU Biofuels, has a collaboration agreement with the DBT-IOC Advanced Bioenergy Re-search Centre, in Faridabad, India. The DBT-IOC research centre was started in the Fall of 2011 in a joint and highly ambitious effort by the Indian Department of Biotechnol-ogy (DBT) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). The col-laboration between Lund re-searchers and the DBT-IOC Bioenergy research centre started in the Fall of 2013, after contacts were made be-tween the partners through the help of Business Sweden and Invest in Skåne. The first stage of the collaboration – involving short exchanges of scientists - is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Researchers at DBT-IOC Bio-energy research centre with visitors from Lund Uni-versity; Mats Galbe and Gunnar Liden.

Bioenergy Research Centre, Faridabad, India


MEMBER RESEARCH GROUPSApplied Microbiology The Division of Applied Microbiology belongs to the Department of Chemistry at Lund University. Work is directed towards applications in industrial microbiology, food microbiology and environmental microbiology. There are some 25 personnel involved in research and roughly half of them are women. The research of the laboratory is mainly focused on biofuels, biocatalysis and food microbiology.KEYWORDS: Biocatalysis, metabolic engineering, and microbial physiologywww.tmb.lth.se

Biochemistry and Structural BiologyThe Biochemistry and Structural Biology Division was created in 2010 after the merger of the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Molecular Biophysics at Lund University. The focus of the research is within some major areas of modern biochemistry and molecular biology. These include membrane protein structure and function; enzyme structure and function; molecular interactions and molecular assemblies; bio-electrochemistry; RNA, DNA and viruses; structural biology of enzymes and large macromolecular assemblies. The department has scientists associated with the European Spallaction Source (ESS) and MAXlab - units of importance for LUBiofuelsKEYWORDS: Enzyme and separation technology, discovery and development for lignocellulose conversion.www.cmps.lu.se/biostruct/

BiotechnologyAt Division of Biotechnology the research activities include enzyme technology, microbial technology, industrial biotechnology, bioseparation and bioanalysis. Special focus is given to the conversion of different biomass raw materials into chemicals and fuels. The division provides an inspiring environment where scientific work and education goes hand in hand with interactions with society.KEYWORDS: Microbial technology, enzyme technology, bioseparation and bioanalysis.www.biotek.lu.se

Department of BiologyDepartment of Biology was founded in 2010 through a merge between five departments and is focusing on cutting-edge fundamental research within a variety of areas, from molecules and protein production to ecological systems. The activities also include several areas of applied research including night vision, improving crops and food products, conservation biology, pest control and gene-modified organisms.KEYWORDS: Biocatalysis, microbial strain selection and strain improvements through metabolic pathway evolution.www.biology.lu.se

Center for Analysis and SynthesisThe Centre for Analysis and Synthesis (CAS) is one of four research centers at the Department of Chemistry at Lund University. At CAS researchers are working with fundamental research questions which can contribute to a more sustainable future. The research is focused on health, materials for energy efficiency, green chemistry and environmental chemistry with core competencies within molecular design and synthesis, organic and inorganic material synthesis, chemical analysis and structure and morphology analysis, both in solution and the solid state.KEYWORDS: Analytical chemistry, metal-catalysed sythensis, natural product chemistry, and supercritical fluid technology.www.kilu.lu.se/nc/cas/

Chemical Engineering The Department of Chemical Engineering belongs to the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. The research covers several aspects of chemical engineering, but development of process technology for biorefineries constitutes a large part of the activities. This includes biomass pretreatment, separation and fermentation technology as well as process design and integration. The department hosts the national process development unit (PDU), which includes several steam pretreament set-ups, filtration units, fermentors and analytical equipment. This enables experimental studies of process concepts starting from many different sources of biomass. KEYWORDS: Biomass pretreatment, membrane technology, fermentation technologywww.chemeng.lth.se


Environmental and Energy Systems Studies (IMES) Environmental and Energy Systems Studies is today a division of the Department of Technology and Society at Lund Institute of Technology, but was established in 1969 as the Environmental Studies Programme at Lund University. At IMES, the main goal is to study issues of energy and the environment in a national and global long-term perspective. Their researchers and teachers have backgrounds in various scientific disciplines including technology, natural science, economy, agronomy, political science, and sociology. Typically, their research and courses are multi-disciplinary. KEYWORDS: Multi-disciplinary systems studies, energy, environmental, technology, economical and policy assessments.www.miljo.lth.se

International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE)At IIIEE research and education cover advance strategies for sustainable solutions including design, application and evaluation of policy and business strategies and concrete actions to meet global environmental challenges. The IIIEE works at the nexus of economy, industry and the environment, the research and education has a genuine interdisciplinary approach synthesising insights not only from economic theory and practice but also from natural sciences, engineering, political science, organizational, legal and behavioural studies. KEYWORDS: Energy for sustainable development, bioenergy systems, energy and climate policy, systems analysis, and policy evaluation.www.iiiee.lu.se


Visit us: www.lubiofuels.org©LUBiofuels. All rights reserved.

Designed and edited by Maria Andersson

Photography: Mikael Risedal (p.2, 3, 12), Gunnar Lidén (p. 6, 7, 8, 27 and front page) , Eva Nordberg Karlsson (p. 10), Benny Palmqvist (p. 11), Sudhanshu Pawar (p.14), Emma Kreuger (p. 22), Kennet Ruona (p. 23), Charlotte Carlberg Barg (p. 24). All other photos: Maria Andersson

Publishers: Gunnar Lidén and Henrik Stålbrand

CONTACT INFORMATION

Coordinators: Gunnar Lidén, [email protected] phone: +46-46-222 08 62

Henrik Stålbrand, [email protected] phone: +46-46-222 82 02

Communicator: Maria Andersson, [email protected] phone: +46-46-222 36 73

www.lubiofuels.org

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ACTIVITY REPORT 2009-2014 - LTH · 2014-12-09 · 5 LU Biofuels activity report 2009-2014 BIOFUELS...

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