BioMob #4 design workshop: turning biomass data into actionable design

How to design for optimising decentral supply-demand of available biomass sources:implications for data modelling

New proposition for integrated land use practices and implications for modelling biomass availability

Background

Platform Renewable Fuels together with the Green Elephant Alliance invites you to join the 4th edition of the Biomass Mobilisation (BioMob) event where we will be discussing new propositions for biomass mobilisation and its implication for modelling biomass supply. The transition to the bio-based economy is faced with a recuring question: is there enough biomass? This question can be challenging to answer whilst studies modelling biomass availability potentials can lead to wide ranges of results. We propose to take a more local and decentral approach to learn how to create data models that can support synergies in local context. The local conditions of the soil and water availability are the key factors to consider when assessing the capacity of biomass systems. That is inherently context specific.

Breaking down biomass availability on the local level creates better insight that provide more certainty for local actors and their investments. This in turn opens up opportunities for local industry demand, provides options for when too much renewable electricity is produced (think about Terneuzen or Groningen Seaports) along with possibilities for Tata Steels trajectory to green steel manufacturing. With renewable electricity surplus, we wonder: how to deal with them and turn them in solutions that can reach current generator sets, engines,turbines in the market.

In this design workshop, we aim to explore how to connect current studies that model biomass availability and how to underpin the insights from data modelling into useful investmentsand actions.

• We take the port areas of examples because they serve a dual function both for local production but also import of bio-based products from overseas.
• We propose to further increase our own knowledge on specific Dutch case studies in order to identify new questions for research and development and their funding.
• We will address new propositions for sustainable land use practices andmulti-valorisation with cascading of biomass into multiple end-productsincluding food, fuels and materials. In turn, we aim to explore what thisapproach of integrated biomass systems into existing land use and circularityprinciples implies for modelling of biomass availability.

New propsition for integrated land use practices and implications for modelling biomass availability

With more sustainable practices of the land, more biomass can be unlocked and provide many other socio economical and environmental benefits. Think for instance of the use of intermediate crops in crop rotations or intercropping that can increase biodiversity and improve soil conditions. Or planting dedicated energy crops on severely degraded land to rehabilitate the soil. In addition, when the circular use of biomass residues is taken into account into modelling, biomass that is re-purposed for the same application leads to more of that biomass that can be used for another purpose. For instance, paper from wood pulp can be recycled and made into paper again. As such the circular use of bio-based feedstock allows to unlock more biomass as less pulp is needed to make newpaper again.

We often model with the current context in mind whilst land use, agricultural practice,valorisation of residues and circular application are inherently dynamic in nature.

The questions we aim to address are

• How do studies currently modelbiomass availability potentials?
• To what extent do they considerthe dynamic aspect of land use and multiple usages?
• How does the inclusion of dynamic land use and biomass cascading affect modelling of biomass availability potentials?
• How can we envision biomass mobilisation that takes into account the biomass that becomes available in these different contexts?  

During this event, we will have reflections on the findings from modelling studies howthese learnings could be applied to other models assessing biomass availability.

Preliminary programme

• Kick off – Loes Knotter (PlatformRenewable Fuels)
  
  • Urgenda has prepared with the analyses Land in Zicht an analysis that shows that even asmall and urbanised country like the Netherlands is able to feed its ownpopulation and can provide for materials for building and limited other nonfood purposes, but it would not see space to mobilise more biomass feedstocksfor other purposes
  • Market logic: the timeline where is the market logic looking right now and how toprepare for the next generation  
• Comparative analysis of sustainable biomass and recommendations for future studies – invited: Karl Friedrich Cyffka (DBFZ)
• The potential from marginal lands and intermediate crops and implications for modelling – invited Berien Elbersen(WUR)
• Assessing the circularity of biomassresidues – confirmed: Jan Broeze and Wolter Elbersen (WUR)
  
  • Using case studies of wheat and beet residues

• How seasons and market volatility affect biomass availability – confirmed: Maurice Mommen (Topsectorenergie)
• Co design session: reflections onmodelling insights and recommendations
  
  • Biomass in the city - MSW – purification – sewage – green clippings - Industrial waste
  • Agribiomass residue - Saline grounds, invasive species extended agri use (savannes)
  • Aquatic/ blue biomass – inland waters, coastal areas, invasive species like sargassum

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