The structure and achievements of the Bioenergy Network of Excellence

This paper explains the origins of the Bioenergy Network of Excellence (NoE) “Overcoming Barriers to Bioenergy”. It outlines the reasoning behind the project’s overall objective of covering the entire bioenergy chain from biomass feedstock to end-products. One of the network’s other aims was to integrate partner activities scientifically and practically in such a way that it could continue beyond the period of European Community financial support. The consortium consisted of eight key bioenergy R&D institutes in Europe. The work programme structure had three stages:1.The initial phase was identification of barriers to increase use of bioenergy in Europe, which included both technical and non-technical barriers. During this stage, barriers were analysed in terms of business opportunities. It was believed that by analysing case studies and industrial projects, common barriers can be identified.2.The second phase was to address RTD goals and how to remove the barriers. A common strategy to overcome the barriers was considered. The target was to activate and carry-out jointly executed research projects. The integration structure could be established based on these projects.3.In the final phase, the integration structure and a legal framework was considered with regard to the partners’ present organisations and new EU initiatives concerning future network activities.

► Networks of Excellence (NoE) were introduced in the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme as a special instrument to address fragmentation of R&D in the European Research Area.
► The focus of the NoE “Overcoming Barriers to Bioenergy” (Bioenergy NoE), was to reflect the fast growing bioenergy markets created by several EU Directives in the energy area.
► The integration structure and a legal framework were considered with regard to the partners' present organisations and new EU initiatives concerning future network activities.
► The conclusion was that a company/association like structure may create major legal constraints to most partner organisations.
► The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) with the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative and European Energy Research Alliance opened new opportunities for the future bioenergy research and demonstration activities that are necessary to reach the 2020 targets.