The Project
EBIO aims at generating energy dense biofuels through electrochemical transformation of intermediate liquified biomass.
Launched in December 2020 with a budget of around 4M Euro, EBIO is a H2020 project that brings together partners from all over Europe with the goal of turning low value crude bio liquids into sustainable road transport fuels.
The consortium is built in order to create synergies between research, industrial and innovation partners with a shared target of developing the next generation of renewable energy technologies.
The challenge
The availability of compact cost-efficient solutions for sustainable energy production is essential for renewables to become Europe’s dominant primary energy source. EBIO will contribute to achieve the EU’s ambitious objective, by providing an innovative technical solution for the sustainable and socially acceptable conversion of low value crude bio liquids, specifically fast pyrolysis oil and black liquor, into energy dense transport fuels.
4 main objectives
Develop sustainable process designs
Process integration schemes for plants in operation, with minimal impact on current operation, combined with process design schemes for new biorefineries with significant changes resulting in minimised costs and optimised revenues.
Electrochemical system for pyrolysis and lignin value chains
Based on paired electrochemistry a simple and safe process will be developed for pyrolysis oil and lignin value chains, which operates in mild conditions. The aim is to achieve high efficiency and selectivity towards oxidative liquid depolymerisation/ decarboxylation and reductive hydrogenation of any unstable ketones and aldehydes.
Develop electrocatalysis & electrode design
The paired electrolysis requires improvements in electrolyser design, evaluation of process parameters and optimising implementation rules. Existing technology platforms will be optimised to ensure high performance and value output for the specific bio-material stream.
Production of energy dense carriers
A lab scale validated (TRL4), integrated process provides the proof of concept for the electrochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into green fuels, platform chemicals and high-value compounds. The integrated process forms the basis for further scale up activities beyond the current proposal to TRL 5 to 7, enabling participation of key stakeholders (end users, engineering companies and investors).
Impacts of EBIO’S project
Towards a sustainable renewable energy system
Generate knowledge
- Know how in electrochemistry: Electrochemical conversion of complex mixtures with a large window of oxidation, reduction potentials (allowing to convert stable components while keeping unstable components intact)
- Novel technologies for ex-situ electrochemistry by on-demand production of safe, green oxidants
Study new options for renewable energy generation
- Exploration of options for “Electrification of the biorefinery industry” (using renewable energy to upgrade bio-based oils towards fuels, chemicals)
- Allowing energy storage, chemical activation, energy densification, hydrogen storage
Produce bio-based components
- Development of compact systems for renewable fuels production (Pulp mill/pyrolysis unit + electrochemical Upgrading = combined heat and power + waste water treatment)
- Green carbonaceous fuels, chemicals production
Facilitate technology uptake
- Development and commercialisation of unique lab scale systems for research purposes
- Upscaling electrochemistry: Methodologies for rapid scale up (+numbering up) from lab to pilot scale and beyond (electrodes + cells)
- Implementation of the technology in existing facilities with reduced CAPEX and OPEX
