Alps4GreenC 
Implementation pathways for sustainable Green Carbon production in the Alpine Region
Home
Outcomes
News & Events

Overview

The energy dependency of the Alpine region further increases its vulnerability to climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Biochar and green carbon from biomass residues can make a significant contribution to reduce this dependency. The project Alps4GreenC contributes to the conditions for energy sufficiency and climate protection of the region by setting the scene for a transnational utilisation of biomass residues. Through policy recommendations and the pilot production of green carbon, the project investigates the opportunities for biomass conversion and proposes transnational biochar-based value chains. This first transnational collaboration for the establishment of biochar-production value chain will enable to identify and upgrade the appropriate technologies for biomass conversion and to fully realise the shift to green, post-carbon approaches .

Factsheet

  • 2021 – 2027
  • Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
  • SO 2.2 - Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
    • AG9 Energy efficiency and renewable energy
  • 09/2022
  • 02/2024
  • 740.866 EUR
  • 555.650 EUR

Description

The Alps4GreenC project is focused on setting-the-scene for transnational utilization of biomass residues through investigation of biomass conversion opportunities in project partner countries and proposal of transnational biochar-based value chains. As such, we are tackling the challenges of the Alpine area pertaining to adverse effects of energy dependency and high energy prices, biodiversity losses and high vulnerability to climate change, while offering solutions for the use of greatly available biomass in the region. By proposing the necessary supportive measures through policy recommendations and practical testing and pilot production of green carbon to evaluate the potential of its utilisation for steel and agriculture industry, we will contribute towards creating the conditions for energy sufficiency and climate-protection of the region showcasing the innovation and resource potentials already present, but currently disconnected. The advantages of this transnational collaboration will be primarily experienced by those directly involved in the value chain (residue producers, tech providers and end users, hence large enterprises and SMEs), however other stakeholders in the ecosystem, such as national/regional public authorities, sectoral agencies and higher education and research organisations, will also benefit from comprehensive framework creation. The framework we propose includes mapping of stakeholders & resources, implementation of crowdsourcing campaign to collect biomass residues and raise awareness, testing and piloting of biochar and context & gap analysis of biomass conversion opportunities for green carbon supply. Without a transnational approach to this issue, appropriate technologies for biomass conversion will not be identified and upgraded, therefore the shift to green, post-carbon approaches might not be fully realised. It is the first time, transnational collaboration for the establishment of biochar production value chain is foreseen.

Partners

National Institute of Chemistry (Lead partner)
  • Lead partner
  • Slovenia
  • Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
  • Ljubljana
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska
  • Slovenia
  • Vzhodna Slovenija (SI03)
  • Maribor
BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
  • Austria
  • Steiermark (AT22)
  • Graz
Free University of Bolzano
  • Italy
  • Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen (ITH1)
  • Bolzano
BioBASE GmbH
  • Austria
  • Niederösterreich (AT12)
  • St. Pölten
AIEL – Italian Agroforestry Energy Association
  • Italy
  • Veneto (ITH3)
  • Legnaro
  • 46.04286695000000414.493045191407113
  • 46.556820715.6511151
  • 47.05826765000000515.46359123464252
  • 46.4983248511.350104387045558
  • 48.202933415.6312028
  • 45.34425711.9574906

Outcomes


  • Biochar pilots

    Download
    During the implementation of the project Alps4GreenC, the biomass residues obtained as part of the crowdsourcing campaign were analysed for their suitability for the production of biochar. Transnational  test were carried out on a lab and pilot scale using gasification or pyrolysis processes to produce green carbon production were performed. On the basis of recearch results a library of 12 biochar samples was created. Suitability for applications in the steel industry and agriculture was assessed to provide the know-how on operating conditions required to find the best available technologies. The analysis revealed that some of the produced biochars might have considerable issues for application in the steel industry due to their high ash and low energy content. However, the application of biochar in agriculture, either as a soil amendment or as a feed additive, is a promising option for all biochars produced. The performance of the produced biochars produced is presented on an open platform repository Alps4GreenC Map.

  • Alps4GreenC Policy recommendations

    Download
    The Alps4GreenC Policy recommendations propose a favourable environment for improving and increasing the supply of green carbon in the Alpine Space region. By shifting production to bio-based materials, the Alpine region can benefit in terms of energy and climate resilience. The document analyses the framework conditions for the conversion of biomass for green carbon supply in Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The following aspects are considered: legal framework and policy, socio-economic factors, environmental concerns, political landscape, economic conditions, geographical and logistical factors. Based on the analysis, policy recommendations were developed (creating a regulatory framework, supporting research and development initiatives, promoting public awareness, incentivising carbon sequestration, integrating biochar into agriculture and promoting cross-border collaboration). 15 different organisations (from ministries to companies) in Slovenia, Austria and Italy signed the Letter of Interest and support the policy recommendations of Alps4GreenC to increase their efforts in the field of biochar production and use.

Project calendar

No upcoming events
    25 Jan 2024
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    The Alps4GreenC final conference will present the mail project results.
    01 Sep 2023
    Alps4GreenC Projectupdate for Austrian Stakeholders
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    We will present first project results, next steps and opportunities
    update workshop posting linkedin klein
    14 Apr 2023
    Alps4GreenC Project Meeting
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    The Project Partners meet to discuss the progress of the activities and the next steps.
    Politician sitting at round table in boardroom
    26 Jan 2023
    ITA Crowdsourcing Workshop
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    Stakeholder Event about Crowdsourcing of biomass residues for the pilot production of biochar.
    24 Jan 2023
    AT Crowdsourcing Workshop
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    In a brief online workshop we will inform interested stakeholders about the crowdsourcing campaign.
    crowdsourcing workshop posting linkedin
    16 Dec 2022
    SLO Crowdsourcing Workshop
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    In a brief online workshop we will inform interested stakeholders about the crowdsourcing campaign.
    crowdsourcing SLO
    22 - 24 Nov 2022
    EUSALP Annual Conference 2022
    Project: Alps4GreenC
    The Italian Presidency organises the Annual Forum to honor EUSALPachievements.

      Project news

      Alpine Nations Push for Biochar Policy Reforms

      13.03.2024

      Analyzing the Operating Context for Biomass Conversion Opportunities in Italy, Austria, and Slovenia

      29.02.2024

      Results of the Testing and pilot production of biochar

      29.02.2024

      Alps4GreenC Project Concludes Final Conference in Austria, Showcasing Advances in Circular Economy

      29.02.2024

      Alps4GreenC successfully finished!

      16.02.2024
      Exciting News from Alps4GreenC! 🌿 Our project is revolutionizing the way we utilize green carbon across Europe. From successful crowdsourcing campaigns to practical testing and pilot production of biochar, we're making tangible progress in fostering a circular economy.

      Alps4GreenC presented at Re-Think Circular Economy Forum

      29.11.2023
      The two project partners Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska and Unibz presented Alps4GreenC project at the Re-think Circular Economy Forum in Taranto, Italy.

      Coffee Chaffs to biochar

      08.10.2023

      Characterization of wood chips affected by bark beetles

      02.10.2023
      Global warming increases bark beetle infestations in Italian forests. UNIBZ tests the feedstocks as potential resource for biochar production.

      The various opportunities of biochar

      25.09.2023
      In course of the opening of the "Green Lab" of project partner BEST, Austrian broadcast channel ORF reports about the numerous opportunities of biochar.

      The opportunities of biochar for the agriculture and food sector

      04.09.2023
      Alps4GreenC was presented at the 61st International fair of agriculture and food.

      Nutshells as potential raw material for biochar

      22.08.2023
      Nutshells were tested as potential resource for biochar production at the premises of Austrian partner BEST.

      Potential of Biochar

      11.08.2023
      The potential of biochar production was presented by our Slovenian project partner.

      Presentation of Alps4GreenC at CHANIA2023

      26.06.2023

      Presentation of Alps4GreenC to Austrian Ministry delegation

      31.05.2023
      A Delegation of the Austrian Ministry of climate change visited the premises of Alps4GreenC partner BEST.

      Project Partner Meeting in Bolzano

      19.04.2023
      The Project Partners met I Bolzano to discuss the progress of the activities.

      Alps4GreenC on Slovenian TV

      20.03.2023
      Our colleague presented the project in an Slovenian TV show.

      Crowdsourcing Campaign completed!

      27.02.2023
      Mid February the project team completed the crowdsourcing campaign with 22 suggestions of residues by our stakeholders.

      Presentation of Alps4GreenC at the Central European Biomass Conference

      09.02.2023
      The Interreg Alpine Space project was presented at the Central European Biomass Conference.

      Kick-off of Crowdsourcing Campaign in Austria

      01.02.2023
      An online workshop was organized to inform all interested stakeholders about the Crowdsourcing Campaign.

      Slovenia kicked off Crowdsourcing Campaign with Online Workshop

      09.01.2023
      Intetested Stakeholders got an introduction to biochar and the Alps4Green Project.

      Residues wanted!

      06.12.2022
      Start of the Crowdsourcing Campaign

      Kick-off in Ljubljana

      02.11.2022
      The project partners met in Lublijana to get to know each other and discuss the first steps.

      Online Kick-off

      02.10.2022
      The project partners met for the first time to talk about the first steps.