Current projects and initiatives

There are a number of Nordic bioenergy projects that are currently being implemented. While the focus and aims of these projects differ, they all contribute to increasing our common knowledge about bioenergy in the Nordic countries. It is our aim here to collect information about ongoing projects and initiatives and thereby develop a useful point of reference for finding possible synergies and formulate new initiatives.

The following list is not a comprehensive overview, however, it is being continuously updated. Please feel welcome to send us information and suggestions about projects and initiatives that should be included in this list.
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Bioenergy and regional development

A project carried out by Nordregio - the Nordic Centre for Spatial Development on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers with the aim of mapping sustainable potentials for bioenergy production and analyse regional impacts.

Sustainable bioenergy from forestry and agriculture in Nordic countries

The project aims to define and develop sustainability criteria for bioenergy production systems in the Nordic countries, as well as to develop a common platform for the promotion of viable bioenergy systems and improvement of the Nordic bioenergy market.

OSCAR

The project OSCAR has been established to improve Nordic R&D co-operation in the field of operation systems in forestry. The initiative is supported by the Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee.

Nordic Ecolabelling - criteria for transport fuels

Nordic Ecolabelling has developed criteria for the ecolabelling of fuels for transport. A consultation proposal was published on November 26th 2007, and stakeholders are requested to provide comments on the criteria. Nordic Ecolabelling wishes to receive comments by January. 25th.

Biostandards project

The project, which is a collaboration between the Nordic Innovation Centre and the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation, is focused on the bioenergy area in the Baltic Sea region and aims to promote the development of standards for solid biofuels.

Nordic Graduate School in Biofuel Science and Technology - Phase 2

Nordic research collaboration in the field of bioenergy. The 4 year project, involving Åbo Akademi University (FI), Chalmers University of Technology (SE), NTNU (NO), and the Technical University of Denmark (DK), is aimed to improve Nordic excellence and doctoral training in the field of biofuel conversion.

New, innovative pretreatment of Nordic wood for cost-effective fuel-ethanol production

Research project for the development of wood pretreatment technologies to attain cost-effective biofuel production. The project involves 11 partners from all the Nordic countries and will develop adaptable pretreatment models and investigate opportunities for the integration of ethanol production in other industrial activities.

Bioenergy Database

Database to facilitate information exchange and networking. There are currently more than 250 registered users from all parts of the bioenergy value chain in the Baltic Sea Region.

Nordic Energy Perspectives

Nordic Energy Perspectives (NEP) is an interdisciplinary Nordic energy research project with the overall goal of demonstrating means for stronger and sustainable growth and development in the Nordic countries. Significant focus is placed on bioenergy.

Consequences of changed demand for biomass on energy and forestry sectors in Sweden and the Nordic countries

The project will conduct consequence analyses in regard to how a changed demand for biomass/biofuels will affect the transport sector, energy sector, forestry sector, and other sectors.

The Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme on Global Change

Research programme on climate change. The NCoE programme, financed by the oint Committee of the Nordic Natural Science Research Councils (NOS-N), Formas, Nordic Council of Ministers and NordForsk, aims to increase the quality and visibility of Nordic research and promote cooperation and the education of researchers in the Nordic region. The programme has four centres of excellence.

Nordic Centre for Studies of Ecosystem Carbon Exchange and its Interaction with the Climate System (NECC)

The centre is composed of collaborating research groups in four Nordic countries; Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The activities are focused on research training and mobility of young researchers in order to strengthen new competences within the Nordic region. NECC is part of the Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme on Global Change.

Energy forests on agricultural land and the opportunities for sustainable energy production in a Nordic perspective

Analysis and evaluation of agricultural energy forest systems in order to develop guidelines for sustainable bioenergy production. The project is managed by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Energy crops

Collecting and disseminating data on energy crops. The project is aimed at mapping and evaluating bioenergy potentials and positive impacts of an increased production of energy crops.

KP 134 - Bioenergy - CO2 balance

Assessment of energy gains and CO2 balance for bioenergy use in the Nordic countries and the development of calculation models. The project is initiated by the Climate Group of the Nordic Council of Ministers and has the objective conduct comparable calculations and models in order to develop a framework for the evaluation of bioenergy potentials.