report
COOLSWEEP JOINT ACTION PLAN EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan COOLSWEEP JOINT ACTION PLAN 2 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Index INTRODUCTION 4 THE COOLSWEEP PROJECT 6 WASTE, POLICIES AND TRENDS – AIMING FOR SUSTAINABILITY 9 THE JOINT ACTION PLAN 16 SWOT 18 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES – FOUR THEMES FOR CROSS-CLUSTER COLLABORATION 21 STEPS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT ACTION PLAN 36 EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 3 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan INTRODUCTION The COOLSWEEP project brings together five European triplehelix clusters to identify and deliver innovative coordination activities on the transnational level that streamline and harmonise initiatives made on the field of waste-to-energy. This will foster sustainable business development and innovative research through new, effective collaborations. The COOLSWEEP project consortium consists of five clusters in the regions of Lombardy (Italy), Basque Country (Spain), Styria (Austria), Denmark and Oslo Region (Norway). Each cluster region contributes specific strengths and expertise to the project. The COOLSWEEP project will build sustainable partnerships between academia and business within clusters and transnationally across clusters and regions, facilitating the knowledge transfer from academia to business in order to develop novel services, products and processes. The perception of waste and how the world treats waste is changing. Waste is increasingly seen as a resource which can be recovered, and due to the increasing global population, urbanization, resource scarcity and recycling schemes; the waste-toenergy sector is in constant growth and presents an immense business potential. This document contextualises and presents the Joint Action Plan for the COOLSWEEP consortium. This Joint Action Plan is about identifying innovative cross-regional partnerships that maximise the synergies of both business opportunities and important fields of research and technological development between the regions involved in the consortium. The Joint Action Plan culminates in four strategic, top priority areas, which will be presented in depth in the last section of the document. These are; BioWaste-to-Value, Encountering future 4 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan waste streams with innovative sorting technologies, Maximising efficiency of incineration processes and Promoting and supporting SMEs through internationalisation. The first part of this document will explain the background for the strategic priorities. The knowledge provided through previous project Deliverables is crucial in this regard; emphasising a SWOT analysis that revealed the weaknesses and pointed out the strengths of the clusters. This fits right into a smart specialisation strategy and provided valuable insights on how the triple-helix clusters are positioned within the field of waste-toenergy. The larger context of the European climate and energy policy and the European waste policy is also essential to account for, as the initiatives to be coordinated through the Joint Action Plan will be conditioned by these two important policy domains. A business plan will accompany the Joint Action Plan to secure the necessary funding and implementation of the outlined activities and project initiatives. A list of indicators and a monitoring methodology will be applied to measure the efficiency of the Joint Action Plan. The six regions represented in the project have all developed individual Cluster Action Plans, focusing on the regional level. The six Cluster Action Plans and the Joint Action Plan will be implemented in 2015. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 5 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan THE COOLSWEEP PROJECT The COOLSWEEP * project brings together five European ‘triple-helix’ clusters to identify and deliver innovative coordination activities on the transnational level that streamline and harmonise initiatives made on the field of waste-to-energy to foster regional business development. The project is addressing real needs for collaboration and joint actions to support research and development of new businesses based on utilising waste as the feed material for efficient, sustainable energy production and innovative use of the by-products from the energy generation. The main themes that run through the project are engagement, involvement and commitment at all levels of stakeholders within the triple helix structure of the clusters. The partnership COOLSWEEP is a 3-year project running from January 2013 to December 2015. The project is funded by the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) under the area Regions of Knowledge (RoK). Through COOLSWEEP, the creation of world-class clusters is supported by applying a smart specialisation strategy; identification of the regions specific competitive advantages and best assets within the field of waste-to-energy’. This will help regions to prioritise their development efforts according to areas of strength, which in turn will help the regional businesses to internationalise and compete in the global economy. The COOLSWEEP project consortium consists of five triple-helix clusters in the regions of Lombardy (Italy), Basque Country (Spain), Styria (Austria), Denmark and Oslo Region (Norway). Each cluster region contributes specific strengths and expertise to the project. The triple-helix model (figure 1), involving business entities, public sector and research entities, is increasingly seen as a conceptual framework for regional development through its spiral model of innovation. In addition, the COOLSWEEP project has partners in an organisation with strong competencies within cluster analysis, and two universities, whereas one will contribute to strengthen a cluster initiative in Latvia. The clusters seek to contribute to economic development; both at the regional, as well as the European and global level. The COOLSWEEP partners have identified the emerging field of waste-to-energy as a potential trigger for economic development in their regions and engaged in the establishment of a coordinated smart specialisation strategy for this field. The diversity and expertise of the regions constitute the basis of exciting complementarities and synergies. * Coordinating and leveraging regional knowledge for initiating a sustainable and optimized EU waste to Energy Programme 6 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Oslo region Latvia Academia & Research Institutes Cluster Denmark Styria Lombardy Business Public sector Basque Country The partner regions of the COOLSWEEP project Figure 1: The triple-helix model Applying smart specialisation strategies to achieve the high ambitions of the project COOLSWEEP aims to support the development of transnational partnerships and knowledge sharing to drive research and development within the field of waste-to-energy. This document sets out the Joint Action Plan for the partners of the project. The Joint Action Plan is expected to trigger the desired development by cross-coordinating the smart specialisation strategies for the exiting field of waste-to-energy. Smart specialisation is a strategic approach to regional economic development through targeted support to research and innovation1. This involves a process of identifying competitive advantage, setting strategic priorities, developing a vision and making use of policies to maximise the knowledge-based development potential of any European region. Strategies for smart specialisation shall be based on a sound analysis of regional assets and potentials, as well as an analysis of possible partners in other regions. Furthermore, they should involve national or regional managing authorities and other stakeholders such as knowledge institutions, industry and social partners in an entrepreneurial discovery process. The starting point of the COOLSWEEP project were all technologies and processes that target the production of energy from waste products; such as incineration and co-incineration; and technologies for biogas and biofuels production. The research and innovation boundaries for waste-to-energy are defined by ‘everything between reception of the waste at a waste treatment/energy production plant and delivery of energy and by-products’. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 7 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan With the joint effort of the partners, the COOLSWEEP project will lead to the following strategic impact: Unlocking new business opportunities for participating SMEs Boosting the competitiveness of research-driven clusters in the domain resources efficient technologies; Europe-wide and globally Build sustainable triple-helix partnerships; within clusters and transnationally across clusters and regions Create an innovation friendly ecosystem in the regions through close and sustainable collaboration and networking between the stakeholders Contribution to the development of smart specialisationstrategies New private and public investments in R&D and Innovation at regional level driven by regional strategies Include more European regions into the European Research Area 8 The definition includes Separation technologies Energy recovery technologies Energy and energy carriers Products and by-products of energy recovery • • • • Through a smart specialisation strategy, the regions identify their characteristics, and the potential of growth is enlarged by strengthening the strengths and reinforcing the weaknesses. Being highly aware of these when constructing the Joint Action Plan, ensured a solid and focused effort to connect the proper building blocks on the inter-cluster level. Tangible impact of the project: Five new regional triple helix partnership projects identified within Waste Management Three new cross-border partnership projects identified within Waste Management Funding representing a total of minimum €20 Million 20 SME’s involved in new international activities 10 scientists from minimum five research institutions involved in new cross-border research initiatives within Waste Management. The Joint Action Plan will be instrumental to realise the ambitions of the project, as the plan will comprise the strategic areas for international cooperation across the partner regions. The four prioritised areas; Bio-Waste to Value, Encountering future waste streams with innovative sorting technologies, Using the full potential of waste-to-energy incineration processes and Promoting Supporting internationalisation of SMEs are presented thoroughly in the last section of the document. These areas for joint actions put emphasis on harmonising with two important policy domains; the European climate and energy policy and the European waste policy. COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan WASTE, POLICIES AND TRENDS – AIMING FOR SUSTAINABILITY The perception of waste and how the world treats waste is changing. Waste is increasingly seen as a resource which can be recovered, and Europe is leading the way. Policies and regulations are important drivers for the overall development of the waste-to-energy field. European climate and energy policy The European economies are dependent on a secure, reliable, cost-effective and climate friendly supply of energy. Waste-to-energy technologies can provide part of this supply. Available energy alternatives differ in each member state; hence creating differences in the cost-benefit of recovering energy from In September 2014, the Global Comwaste. Availability of cheap and reliable energy will mission on the Economy and Climate make investments in energy from waste less attraclaunched the report on “The new clitive, unless the alternative is a fossil fuel. mate economy”, making recommendations on actions and policies that can Sustainability, competitiveness and security of supachieve high quality economic growth at ply are important elements in the European energy the same time as addressing dangerous policy. In the coming decades the European energy climate change.2 The report states that system will gradually make a transition from a fossil there is no contradiction between the fuel base to a renewable fuel base, and this transienvironment and economic growth, and tion will be a driver for waste-to-energy technolothe message is that a climate-friendly gies. policy will provide strong and sustained economic growth. The climate and energy package is a set of binding legislation, which aims to ensure the European Union meets its ambitious climate and energy targets for 2020 3. The three main objectives, known as the 20-20-20 targets, are: • • • A 20 percent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels; Raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20 percent; A 20 percent improvement in the EU’s energy efficiency. A fourth target is that at least 10 percent of transport final energy consumption come from renewable energy sources. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 9 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan In October 2014, the European Environment Council proposed the following binding targets to apply on the European level for a ‘greener’ Europe 2020 strategy; By 2030, the total emissions of greenhouse gases will be cut by 40% from the 1990 emission levels, and the share of renewable energy will be increased to at least 27%.4 Emissions cuts will be distributed equally between sectors in the EU carbon market; the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and sectors that are not included, so-called “non-ETS” in the period 2020 to 2030. Thus, the sectors outside the ETS, as waste, transport and agriculture will contribute with relatively more emission cuts than they do today. Hence, the recent policy development will implicate an increased attention to the field of waste management, and waste-to-energy in particular. Waste treatment in Europe – and policies to accelerate a radical transition In 2012, households in the EU-28 generated a total of 216 million tons of waste. This equals an average of 487 kg pr capita.5 About 50% of these are treated by an approximate equal share of material recycling and incineration – with or without energy recovery. (fig 2) About 15% of the total amount is composted and digested, while more than 30% is sent to landfills for disposal. One of the main reasons for disposing such a large share of waste on landfills, is that energy recovery from waste usually requires substantial capital investments for the provision of a suitable infrastructure. Especially when compared to landfilling, which traditionally has been the alternative disposal method – and still is in many countries. The total amount of waste generated in Europe is on a slight decrease but the difference between amounts of waste disposed in each member state is huge (figure 3). 7 July 2nd 2014, the European Commission unveiled its communication on a zero waste programme; a package of waste and recycling targets set to accelerate Europe’s transition to a more circular economy through a common and coherent framework. 8 Central to the circular economy package is a legislative proposal 9 and annex10, suggesting a revision of four Directives, to set new, highly ambiguous waste targets, as: • Figure 2; Municipal solid waste treatment by category 2012 (Source: Eurostat). 10 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme • • 70% recycling/re-use of municipal waste in 2030; 80% recycling/re-use of packaging waste in 2030; Phasing out landfillings for recyclable waste by 2025. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan This means boosting recycling and preventing the loss of valuable materials; creating jobs and economic growth; showing how new business models, eco-design and industrial symbiosis can move us toward zero-waste; and reducing greenhouse gases emissions and their environmental impacts. 11 Figure 3; Amounts of waste disposed in EU28 in 2012 (Source: Eurostat). The global economic growth, new technological possibilities, a growing focus on resource efficiency and business ingenuity within waste management do provide new opportunities for recycling and expansion of energy recovery from waste. The waste-to-energy sector presents an immense business potential, The main part of the waste generated on which is in constant growth due to increasing global a global scale comes from urban areas. population, urbanisation, resource scarcity and a poThe cities of the world generate about litical pressure to recycle. There are three central Directives that establish a range of waste management targets and goals for the EU countries; The Waste Framework Directive, The Landfill Directive and The Waste Incineration Directive. The directives on waste are all part of the context in which the COOLSWEEP partners navigate, and crucial to know, in order to understand what is driving the development within the field of waste-to-energy. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden 1.3 billion tons of solid waste per year. Due to growth of population and wealth, this volume is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tons by 2025. 6 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 11 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan The Waste Framework Directive The Waste Framework Directive12 sets the overall framework for EU legislations on waste. The directive establishes a five-step Waste Hierarchy (fig 4), which member states are obligated to implement in their own legislation in order to enhance waste treatment to the most preferable option. preparing for re-use means checking, cleaning or repairing recovery operations, by which products or components of products that have become waste are prepared so that they can be re-used for the same purpose without any other pre-processing. prevention means measures taken before a substance, material or product has become waste, that reduce the quantity of waste, including re-use or extension of life span. Prevention Preparing for re-use recycling means any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes, including the reprocessing of organic material. It does not include energy recovery, materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations; Recycling Other Recovery e.g. energy recovery Disposal recovery means any operation the principal result of which is waste serving a useful purpose by replacing other materials, or waste being prepared to fulfil that function, in the plant or in the wider economy. disposal means any operation which is not recovery even where the operation has as a secondary consequence the reclamation of substances or energy. Figure 4: The Waste Hierarchy By definition, the COOLSWEEP project is located at the waste hierarchy stage of ‘other recovery, e.g. energy recovery’. The COOLSWEEP project partners are highly aware of the interconnectedness amongst the stages of the waste hierarchy. Through acknowledging the importance of keeping a value chain perspective on waste and waste management, the project looks to the stage of recycling. It is crucial to ensure the best possible material recovery of resources before reaching the stage of energy recovery. The Landfill Directive The aim of the landfill Directive13 is to minimise landfilling within the EU in order to prevent and reduce the negative effects of waste landfills on the environment and human health. The focus is to reduce biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills through stringent requirements. The reason behind focusing on the biodegradable waste is related to the degradation process of this fraction, which emits methane (CH4), an ozone-damaging greenhouse gas 26 times as powerful as carbon dioxide (CO2). The 12 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan environmental gains from diverting more of this waste away from the landfills and up the waste hierarchy are huge. The landfill directive was reviewed and revised in 2014 as a part of the European Commission’s work programme and the new suggested targets correspond to a maximum landfilling rate of 25% in 2025 . The Waste Incineration Directive The Waste Incineration Directive14 introduces measures to prevent or reduce air, water and soil pollution caused by the incineration and co-incineration of waste, as well as the resulting risk to human health. The directive require that plants have a permit for operation and sets emission limits for pollutants, such as dust, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, heavy metals, etc, released to air and water. The incineration of waste needs to take place under controlled conditions and at sufficiently high temperatures in order to ensure that hazardous substances are completely destroyed. Taking on waste as the perspective in the merging fields of economic growth, sustainability, climate change and renewable energy, there are some exiting emerging trends influencing the field of waste-to-energy. Emerging trends influencing waste-to-energy Three main trends influencing the waste-to-energy field were identified through an analytical report15 of the COOLSWEEP project, : The circular economy; Industrial symbiosis; A bio-based economy These trends are already claiming their space, seeking to set the terms in development of both EU policy and new business models. The trends are envisioned to have a strong impact on the development of the waste-to-energy field in the years to come. Thus, it is of great importance to the strategic Joint Action Plan of the COOLSWEEP project to take these trends into serious account. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden Waste-to-energy plant in Trbovlje, Slovenia. Air pollution control delivered by the Austrian company ©Andritz-AG COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 13 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan The circular economy – placing sustainability in the heart of business Traditionally, our global economy has followed a linear process of make; use; dispose. This signifies that resources most often are wasted after they have been used. The way we perceive this kind of process is currently changing and the economy is increasingly perceived as circular. In the circular economy, there is no waste, only resources to be re-used and recycled. The circular economy is about extended durability; extracting the maximum value from the resources. It is also about making producers and manufacturers create products that involve less waste, and make consumers integrate recycling into their daily habits. The concept of a circular economy will make a large impact on the way we think about waste management. The COOLSWEEP project partners see the role of waste in the circular economy as twofold. An important role is through recycling and re-using waste fractions. The potential for exploiting waste is through innovative use and creation of new value chains – upgrading and transforming waste streams to resources that might be integrated in new or already existing markets. In addition, energy recovery from waste should be seen as an integral part of the circular economy, as residual waste not applicable for recycling should be recovered for energy purposes. Innovative utilizing of by-products from energy recovery complements this perspective. Industrial symbiosis A second trend emerging is industrial symbiosis; the collaboration between two or more companies, where one company uses residuals from another company in its production. This type of industrial symbiosis is also available through the market, where the exchange of resources goes through companies that are specialised in collecting and refining residuals with the purpose of resale. The cement plant Lafarge Perlmooser in Ritznei, Austria, replaces incineration of fossil fuels with residual waste fractions 14 Industrial symbioses is becoming a salient topic on the political agenda – both on the national and international levels. Countries like Denmark, Finland and England now run programs that underpin the formation of industrial symbioses and are – to a COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan large extent – a result of an emerging resource efficiency agenda. Industrial symbioses are also mentioned in the EU Commission’s new strategy “A Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe”16 as one of many tools to strengthen resource efficiency, minimise waste and increase the competitiveness of European companies. In November 2013, The European Industrial Symbioses Association was launched with the aim of facilitating dialogue and collaboration between the respective national programs. 17 The COOLSWEEP project partners are excited about the concept of industrial symbiosis, and the possibilities of up cycling and upgrading industrial waste to resources. While the COOLSWEEP project applies a main focus on the municipal solid waste fractions from households, the industrial perspective on new ways of integrating business and further develop business models are highly interesting. This way of applying concepts of resource efficiency into the business is a key approach to the future green economy. From fossil to fresh– A bio economy A third and strongly emerging trend is the bio-based economy; the bio economy18. The bio economy is about the transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to an economy based on biomass as a raw material. It describes a future in which we rely on renewable biological resources to meet our needs for both food, materials and energy.19 In a bio-based economy, biomass is used for chemicals, materials, transportation fuels, electricity and heat. There are already a number of laws and initiatives, both on national and EU level that promote a biobased economy. The European Commission’s strategy published in 2012; “Innovating for sustainable growth: A bio economy for Europe” 20 seeks to promote a bio-based economy across Europe. One technological trend is the use of cascading technologies. In the waste-to-energy sector the emphasis is put on bio refineries. A cascade use of biomass in a bio refinery means that the biomass is used where it has the highest added value; the sugars, oils and proteins are converted into multiple products and materials, such as biofuels, chemicals, plastics and polymers. As such, the objective is to develop as many products and value streams as possible from the biomass and thereby maximise the value extracted. In the context of a bio-based economy, the COOLSWEEP project will apply a large focus on the organic waste fractions and the exploration on how to utilise and exploit these in the most sustainable way and contribute to the replacement of fossil resources. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 15 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 3.THE JOINT ACTION PLAN The COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan defines the future strategic priorities as a framework for joint international initiatives for the consortium as a whole. The Joint Action Plan is about identifying cross-regional partnerships that maximise the synergies between the regions involved in the consortium. COOLSWEEP will hereby contribute to foster cooperation between the leading waste-tech regions of Europe. Point of departure The starting point of developing the Joint Action Plan was to build on the knowledge provided through the previous work of the COOLSWEEP project. An all-embracing Global analysis of the waste-to-energy field 21 was carried out in the first phase of the project. This analysis pointed out the main obstacles, opportunities and trends within the field of waste-to-energy, focusing on available and applied technology and the legal framework around the globe. Threats, uncertainties and opportunities within the field of waste-to-energy in the global markets were pointed out, and four key messages were listed: • • • • International technology cooperation must be fostered The Waste Management Hierarchy should always be kept as a milestone Bio-waste should be separately collected and treated whenever possible Residual mixed waste should be sent to energy recovery, after all technically and economically viable pre-processing steps in order to recover more recyclables The report shows that Europe is the leading figure on a global scale for number of plants, energy recovered and expertise in multiple fields of technology. So, despite the large differences across the member states, Europe is the leading figure on a global scale for the number of plants, amounts of energy recovered and expertise in various fields of technology and research. To get a closer look at what influences the development within waste-to-energy in the partner regions and their countries, the report “Drivers for waste-to-energy in Europe” 22 was carried out and added a great deal of knowledge to the project. Furthermore, six excellent in-depth reports were submitted 23 ; analysing the six partner regions through a mapping of the waste-to-energy networks and the actors present in these. Pull factors, as regulations, taxes and subsidies were identified as highly important drivers of the field. In addition, push factors as waste, technology and entrepreneurship are also influencing the development of innovative business models. The analysis enlightened that the regions are diverse regards to push and pull factors, but they are homogenous in seeing waste as a resource. 16 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Optical waste sorting plant, Waste-to-Energy Agency of Oslo, Norway. Technology delivered by Optibag. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 17 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan SWOT An exhaustive SWOT analysis identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each of the partner clusters. Revealing the weaknesses and pointing out the strengths fits right into a smart specialisation strategy; hence, the SWOT contributed to valuable insights on how the triple-helix clusters are positioned within the field of waste-to-energy. In a SWOT analysis, the strengths and weaknesses are elements describing the internal attributes and resources that support or work against a successful outcome. The desirable objective would be for each cluster to maintain the strengths and to reinforce the weaknesses. On the opposite side, there are external factors upon which the regional clusters cannot directly influence, but to which they can try to adapt themselves. The factors might become advantageous opportunities or they might be disadvantageous threats. Closely associated to the development of the trans-cluster Joint Action Plan, region specific Cluster Action Plans (CAPs) are completed by each of the six cluster partners. The CAPs are based on the regional SWOT analysis and carried out within the framework of the Joint Action Plan, to define the strategic priorities and future initiatives within each cluster. As the Joint Action Plan, the CAPs are developed in close dialogue with regional stakeholders. Some central points from the regional SWOTs have been summed up in a common SWOT analysis. The SWOT is important, as multiple of these points served as guidelines for the development of the strategic priorities in the Joint Action Plan. In this way, the activities to be undertaken and promoted jointly by the partners are identified with a bottom-up approach. Waste incineration plant, Zabalgarbi, Spain 18 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan SWOT analysis for the COOLSWEEP regions. Strengths • The development of waste-to-energy plants and recycling go hand in hand to divert waste from landfilling; Presence of world leading technology providers in the regions; Strong specialisation in incineration and co-incineration technologies, as well as biogas and waste selection technologies; Existence of state-of-the-art waste-to-energy and waste management facilities in the regions, which attract international interest; Good internationalisation experience of big companies; Considerable industry know-how, ability to produce cuttingedge machineries already exported all over the world; Good presence of consulting engineering companies, some of which have specific focus on waste management and waste-to-energy facilities; Technology for industrial incineration of high calorific waste fractions, like plastic, replacing fossil fuels instead of deported to landfill; Large interest in extraction and production of biogas, many new companies within this sector. Weaknesses • • • • • • • • Companies of Styria, Denmark, Oslo region and Lombardy face shortage of waste respect to incineration and co – incineration capacity. In Oslo region, a part of the incinerated waste is received from abroad; Anaerobic digestion and fermentation of bio waste are still young sectors and represent underdeveloped markets; Waste-to-energy technologies usually require very large investments and are perceived as highly sophisticated; The waste-to-energy sector is perceived as including only waste incineration in some cases; this is caused by lack of awareness regarding the availability of other types of technologies; Timely processes to obtain all the necessary permits for the construction of a waste-to-energy plant, especially in the case of waste incinerators; Many companies; especially SMEs, lack the necessary support for internationalisation and entering markets abroad; With a greater opening of the market, it could be developed new intra-European trade and business opportunities. Opportunities • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Waste is increasingly seen as a resource in all the regions; Generally good investment in research on waste-to-energy; Interest for development of advanced technologies in some of the regions; e.g. hydrogen production technology based on biogas in the Oslo region; Interest in alternative waste streams which can be used as feedstock for waste-to-energy; The public authorities play an important role in the development of the field through regulative initiatives, taxes and subsidies; All five analysed areas have landfill bans, which is fostering recycling of domestic and industrial waste; Good implementation of EU legislation at national levels; All the regions have different, but efficient waste management systems, which include separate collection of waste fractions; as plastic packaging and food-waste; Waste-to-energy and waste management offers new job opportunities. • • • • • • Threats Waste-to-energy is perceived as a hindering factor for recycling, both by some segments of the general public and by some interest organisations; Current lack of a long term stable policy framework and a more elaborate national strategy on waste treatment in Italy and Spain; More investment in research and technological development is needed; Energy produced by waste-to-energy incinerators is not officially seen as renewable in all regions and waste incinerators are in some cases perceived as major air polluters; There is a “not in my backyard” philosophy regarding waste management, mainly in Italy, Spain and Austria; incinerators in particular. People do not want to have waste management facilities close to their living area. This also goes for biogas plants. However, incinerators are more accepted in Denmark and somehow Norway. The infrastructure for waste management and treatment is largely dependent on people adapting to the regimes - It takes time to change people’s habits. In addition, a Value chain model and Networking analysis & Identification of market areas was provided through Work Package 2 of the project. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 19 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Approaching a cross-cluster strategy Developing the Joint Action Plan has been the main activity in Work Package 3 of the COOLSWEEP project. The work was kicked off in March 2014, and the process of developing the plan went on through 2014. The process was characterised by a high level of contribution from all of the project partners throughout various workshops, meetings, telephone calls and e-mails. To ensure the development of a highly relevant framework, key regional stakeholders contributed in the process of making the Joint Action Plan, both through interviews, bilateral meetings, workshops and discussions on the textual material for the document. To ensure the best possible quality and high level of success when implementing the Joint Action Plan, the consortium has ensured that each of the chosen themes for Joint Actions is valued Kick off meeting in Milan, March 2014 Kick off meeting in Milan, March 2014 as amongst the top priorities for a minimum of three of the cluster partners. Within each theme, there will be several actions and activities aiming for accomplishments for various groups of stakeholders. The first draft of the Joint Action Plan was ready in August 2014. This draft was circulated and elaborated in close collaboration between the partners, and each partner was responsible to involve local stakeholders to validate the plan. The formal decision for the prioritised themes was carried out in a Project Management Committee-meeting in October, followed by a stage-gated process until the final version of the outline of the the themes was reached. The four themes will be presented in-depth in the following section. PMC meeting in Milan, October 2014 20 PMC meeting in Leoben, November 2014 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 4.STRATEGIC PRIORITIES – FOUR THEMES FOR CROSS-CLUSTER COLLABORATION 1. SUPPORTING INTERNATIONALISATION OF SMES The objective is to support the internationalisation of regional SMEs with innovative waste technologies or waste management skills. Background The global markets for waste and resource solutions are changing, and it is increasingly difficult for European SMEs to get access to new markets and customers. As more and more waste is generated in the rapidly growing urban areas outside of Europe; in Asia, Africa, and South America, two trends emerge: Firstly, the customer is increasingly often a city administration or public authority who can be very hard for a SME to engage in dialogue. Secondly, the waste management solutions in demand are increasingly complex as they must fit the local urban infrastructure and deal with several problems at once ranging across the entire value chain for waste management. This creates a situation, where many European SMEs, which are highly interested in internationalising, have a difficult time winning contracts abroad, as they are unable to enter into dialogue with the decision-makers and incapable of providing the integrated and holistic solutions, which are in demand. The COOLSWEEP partners will aim to improve this situation by developing joint inter-cluster activities aimed at supporting internationalisation of SMEs. The SWOT analysis pointed to the fact that many companies in the partner clusters seek to open new markets abroad and ask for more support for internationalisation. This is especially true for the SMEs. One of the main weaknesses of the COOLSWEEP consortium is that the companies are prone to make use of trusted local suppliers rather than finding new business partners. With a greater opening of the market, new intra-European trade and business opportunities could be developed. Furthermore, the EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 21 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan field of waste-to-energy implies high capital costs and high risks, and therefore the assembly of the needed financing packages can be a big challenge, allowing usually larger companies with a strong and stable financial situation to get involved in new projects by using their available resources. The strengths of the COOLSWEEP consortium are that it comprises a number of big companies with good internationalisation experience as well as many companies, which can operate as which can operate as contractor for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). These companies can serve as the backbone in the consortia building needed to meet complex international projects. Besides this, the COOLSWEEP consortium partners represent a number of SMEs with considerable industry knowhow and a great ability to produce cutting-edge machineries already exported all over the world. Lastly, there is a good presence of consulting engineering companies and research centres in the COOLSWEEP regions. Description of activities A number of joint activities will be aimed at developing inter-cluster internationalisation support of SMEs focusing on complex waste solutions: a) Concept development, including: - Inclusion of interested companies and local authorities Trade mission Development of joint cluster activities focusing on internationalisation b) Funding, including: - Screening of possible funding opportunities Funding applications and meetings One project idea would be to further develop a cluster driven “market-pull” approach to creating new business opportunities for SMEs in the global markets. During the last three years, such an approach has been developed by the Danish cluster organisation CLEAN with impressive results through a fourstep process known as “The Competitiveness Amplification Model” (CAM). A central aspect of the model is that it is based on co-creation of complex solutions with local decision makers around the world – not only co-creation between companies with different technologies and competencies. The co-creation with the local stakeholders is crucial to create tailored solutions fit for the local context. This project could develop the CAM-approach further by working on a trans-European level rather than a national level. Furthermore, the model could be used specifically to promote European solutions to complex waste management problems while supporting the internationalisation of SMEs. Another project idea could be to develop an “internationalisation” network between leading European cluster organisations, which could develop more formal procedures for collaboration efforts to help internationalisation of the regional SME cluster members. Total estimated budget: 4 Mill EUR. 22 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Expected outcomes The outcomes of the suggested joint activities are a number of joint inter-cluster actions to support internationalisation of regional SMEs working with waste management. The activities initiated will help open up new markets for European SMEs working with waste technologies and waste management. The companies will be involved in concrete business opportunities, which they would otherwise not have been able to develop. This will create growth and employment in the European waste sector and will support the internationalisation of European waste resource companies. Furthermore, integration of best waste management practices and technologies across Europe will be supported by developing the organisational framework for building trans-European waste management consortia. Supporting internationalisation of SMEs is a natural next step to the regional smart specialisation strategies developed in the COOLSWEEP project. It will enable the most relevant competencies from each of the cluster regions to be put into action through trans-European consortia providing integrated and holistic solutions to complex waste management problems. Lead partner CLEAN; Jonas Mortensen [email protected] Finance& Funding opportunities Horizon 2020 Calls: INNOSUP-1-2015 COSME EU environmental philanthropy foundations LIFE+ “best practice project” European Investment Fund European Investment Bank (JESSICA) EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 23 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 2. ENCOUNTERING FUTURE WASTE STREAMS WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR SORTING AND SEPARATION The main objective is to identify future waste streams and clarify new technological needs to contribute to developing new sorting and separation technologies and improving existing systems to treat future waste streams with valuable resources. Background Sorting and separation of waste will become even more important for European countries in the future. The Commission has presented proposals to turn Europe into a more circular economy and boost recycling in the Member States. Achieving the new waste targets would create 580 000 new jobs compared to today´s performance, while making Europe more competitive and reducing demand for costly scarce resources. The proposals also mean lower environmental impacts and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The suggestions ask Europeans to recycle 70 % of municipal waste and 80 % of packaging waste by 2030, and ban landfilling of recyclable waste as of 2025. A target is also included for reducing marine litter along with food waste reduction objectives. One way to address these challenges is to take an integrated holistic approach in the production of valuable products and their respective value chains. This principle is part of the concept of a circular economy. Companies in the COOLSWEEP regions have developed world-class technologies which are implemented all over the world. According to the global SWOT Analyses, Styrian companies are world market leaders within waste sorting, shredding and collection. Other regions, which are also active in this field, e.g. the Oslo Region, could benefit from the development of even more knowledge and technologies for sorting waste. Additionally, the Basque Country has identified that many fractions which have potential to become feedstock for different types of energy recovery processes are still landfilled in the region. Furthermore, the new industrial biotechnology looking at converting renewable carbon sources into higher value products in bio refineries and research on material recovery of for instance biopolymers from organic waste prior to bio gasification of waste, are areas of increasing interest. Taking that into account, innovative sorting and separation technologies are requested across the bor- 24 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan ders of the COOLSWEEP regions. New sorting and separation technologies will promote innovation in markets for recycled materials, new business models, eco-design, industrial symbiosis and enhanced energy recovery of materials. As a result, such innovative technologies will be the basis for a sustainable waste management system using waste at its highest value. Furthermore, these technologies act as important pre-treatment that ensure an authorised feedstock for the processes at the next stage of energy recovery. The strengths of the COOLSWEEP consortium are that it comprises a number of big companies with good internationalisation experience as well as many companies, which can operate as EPC contracters. Description of activities Project development Development of international R&D project to support the further development of sorting and separation technologies • To utilize waste biomass cascades along the direction of material, biogas, charring and thermal use; • To increase the performance and the profitability of small scale plants; • To reduce contaminates, sort smaller grain size and increase the output concentration or purity of valuable materials after the sorting process. Development of international R&D project on new sorting and separation technologies: • Support the development of new cross-sectorial industrial value chains across the EU with a specific focus on integrating and supporting groups of SMEs in collaboration with other innovation actors in addressing specific problems and challenges of zero waste city quarters. Estimated budget € 3 million; • Support the development of new sorting technologies e.g. for black polymers including bio technology and enzymatic processes. Estimated budget € 1 million; • Support the development of a closed loop integrated system, where the organic waste is sorted in biodegradable waste bags, collected by waste trucks running on biofuel, and transported to a central biogas facility where the valuable materials like biopolymers would be separated and extracted prior to the bio gasification of the waste. Estimated budget € 1 million; Sustainability evaluation through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach as a quantitative tool for decision-making. The LCA approach will focus on comparison of site-specific waste management systems including the effects of future waste streams. Internationalisation Foster internationalisation together with the joint activities on internationalisation of SMEs through international projects, trade missions and working groups. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 25 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Expected outcomes • Several R&D projects will be submitted for funding, involving actors from the whole triple-helix. • SMEs and larger companies involved in international R&D projects. • The development and demonstration of new sorting technologies will be supported. • Initiate the development of a new value chain/closed loop approach towards a pilot biogas production system based on source separated food waste feedstock. • Furthermore, the results should be used as a roadmap on how to integrate sorting and recycling technologies in the circular economy to get the highest value out of waste. Lead partner ECO WORLD Styria; Tobias Schwab. [email protected] CLARITY glass sorting machine in Gleisdorf, Austria. Built by ©Binder+CO Finance& Funding opportunities H2020 -Social challenges – waste. A resource to recycle, reuse and recover raw materials WASTE-6a-2015 - Eco-innovative solutions WASTE-6b-2015 Eco-innovative strategies INNOSUP call on cluster facilitated projects for new industrial chains INNOSUP-1-2015 Cluster facilitated projects for new value chains European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) European Investment BankThe European Structural funds Automatic waste sorting plant in Styria, Austria. Delivered by ©Saubermacher 26 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme National funds EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 3. USING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF WASTE-TO-ENERGY INCINERATION PROCESSES The objective is to engage the COOLSWEEP regional actors to exploit the full potential of waste-to-energy in the framework of a resource efficient Europe. Background The flagship initiative for a resource-efficient Europe under the Europe 2020 strategy supports the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable growth, boosting recycling and preventing the loss of valuable materials; through creating jobs and economic growth; and reducing greenhouse emissions and environmental impacts. Waste thermal treatment with energy recovery (incineration and co-incineration) will play a complementary role to achieve these objectives. Considering that more than 80 million tonnes of municipal waste are still landfilled in the EU 28 each year, waste-to-energy plants can complement quality recycling by treating polluted and complex waste (too polluted for quality recycling), keeping harmful substances out of the Circular Economy, and generating a local, affordable and secure energy supply. In 2012, the EU 28 imported 106 billion m3 of natural gas from Russia (source: Eurostat). The energy content of the waste treated by waste-to-energy plants in the EU equals 19% of Russian gas imports (2012). In the same way, sometimes resources contained in wastes are bonded and can be extracted only by means of thermal treatment. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be extracted from the bottom ash of waste-to-energy plants and further recycled into new products such as aluminium castings for the automotive industry. The regions involved in the COOLSWEEP project show a strong value chain and specialization in this technological domain. The presence of internationalized companies; with a proven knowledge and technology portfolio, is a strength that should be increasingly translated into market opportunities both in Europe and on a larger, global scale. Though, the COOLSWEEP project analyses have shown that some extra support will be needed to increase the market share of incineration and co-incineration technologies. In this sense, there are two domains in which cross regional cooperation could play a key role: EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 27 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 1. Raising awareness. The public and the policy makers are not always aware of the importance of solutions for thermal treatment of unrecyclable waste. Despite the technological and economical advantages, as well as the strict compliance with environmental quality standards, companies offering incineration and co-incineration solutions must compete with a “not in my backyard” philosophy. The COOLSWEEP partners want to establish a stable collaboration platform in order to foster the dialogue between private enterprises, research communities, public stakeholders and social representatives to establish mechanisms and tools to foster the transparency and credibility among stakeholders. This will help to avoid additional market barriers for European companies and might be complementary to activities carried out by other organisations, such as ESWET and CEWEP. 2. Joint research in specific technological areas. The implementation of resource efficiency as a factor for competitiveness around Europe, offers a great opportunity to highlight the valuable material extraction potential of incineration and co-incineration technologies. Further research is needed to improve the extraction of metals from waste trough combustion to establish new value streams. In the same way, joint research on flexible systems for heat and power could help decrease the cost of the development and upgrading of thermal treatment plants. Achievement of more environmentally friendly processes, as technologies for cleaning of exhaust gases, is another field that needs an increased research support. This could help strengthening the marketing and the social acceptance of incineration and co-incineration solutions for unrecyclable waste. The main objectives are: • Show the viability of thermal treatment processes with efficient energy recovery • Identify the medium/long term framework of availability of unrecyclable waste streams suitable for energy recovery through incineration and co-incineration processes (European and global market needs); Description of activities Joint coordination project: • Creation of a cross-regional desk involving COOLSWEEP partners, regional and European relevant stakeholders for encouraging social acceptance of incineration and co-incineration technologies; • Cross regional benchmark; share of best practice and successful integration of incineration and co-incineration solutions in sustainable waste management systems; • Create a Platform to match technologies and foster knowledge sharing amongst researchers and technology providers; • Organise expert collaboration meetings. Development of specific tools for communication and dialogue with decision makers and social representatives. 28 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Joint research projects: • Promote research projects to develop more flexible and efficient thermal treatment technologies available to adapt to the changes in waste composition and grid demand; • Promote international research and demonstration project for innovative uses of by-products from waste thermal treatment processes, as extraction of ferrous/non-ferrous metals from bottom ash and fly ash; • Improved technology to increase efficiency of exhaust gas cleaning systems and better management of resulting fly ash; reuse as raw material for industrial processes. • Identify globally availability of waste streams and market opportunities for waste to energy incineration technologies. Expected outcomes • New cross-regional network involving various stakeholders, hereunder SMEs, local authorities, investors, research centres, focusing on incineration and co- incineration; • Several companies, including SMEs, involved in national and international R&D projects; • Enhanced dialogue between researchers, business, public bodies and social representatives on incineration and co-incineration matters; • Cross-regional coordination project-proposal submitted for funding. Estimated budget € 1 million. • Launch of consortiums for joint research and technology development: • 1 cross-regional project proposal on recovery of by-products from incineration/co-incineration of waste, (focused on bottom ash and fly ash) will be submitted for funding. Estimated budget € 1,5 million. • 1 cross-regional project proposal focused on flexible incineration and co-incineration processes adaptable to changes in waste composition and grid demand submitted for funding. Estimated budget € 1,5 million. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 29 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Lead partner ACLIMA - Mikel Ibarra; [email protected] Finance& Funding opportunities Horizon 2020 Calls H2020-WASTE-2015 • Eco-innovative strategies • Ensuring sustainable use of agricultural waste, co-products and by-products Life instrument calls • Environment and resource efficiency priority area • Environment information and governance priority area Waste subtopic: • Awareness-raising and training on phasing out landfilling of recyclable or recoverable waste (so as to limit landfilling to residual, i.e. non-recyclable and non-recoverable waste); • Information campaigns raising awareness and encouraging behavioural changes on key wasterelated issues with a focus on waste reduction, in particular regarding WEEE and plastic waste. Interreg/CTC Calls (Cross Territorial Collaboration) 30 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 4. BIO-WASTE TO VALUE – PRODUCING HIGH VALUE PRODUCTS FROM ORGANIC WASTE FEEDSTOCK IN THE FRAMEWORK OF A CIRCULAR ECONOMY The objective is to develop collaboration initiatives focusing on the collection and utilisation of bio-waste in the production of high value products, as biogas for the transport sector. This concerns the value chains of various types of organic waste and infrastructure for waste management and treatment. Background Treatment of bio-waste has received a great deal of attention during the last years, especially because of the high environmental threat from such waste decomposing in landfills. EU Member States have to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that is sent to landfill to 25 pct. of 1995 levels by 2025. Many countries have already implemented different types of waste management systems which avoid landfilling of bio-waste, and their focus has now moved on adopting methods to extract value from this waste stream. The potential to use bio-waste as feedstock in the production of material, liquid or gaseous high value products is high. Waste-to-biofuel The transport sector is the sector which is currently farthest from the goal of transforming the total energy supply to renewable by 2050, and is also far from the target of 5% biofuels. According to estimates, about one third of the EU’s 2020 target for renewable energy in transport could be met by using biogas produced from bio-waste, while around 2% of the EU’s overall renewable energy target could be met if all bio-waste was turned into energy. The conversion from fossil to bio-based fuels has a large and important potential, and involves a range of actors, technologies, logistics and infrastructural challenges along the value chain. Efficient gas-fuelled buses and lorries have come onto the market in recent years. Gas-fuelled passenger vehicles and light lorries are being mass-produced, and many standard petrol and diesel models are also available in a gas version. Biogas produced from bio-waste can play an important role as an alternative fuel in the transport sector. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 31 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Technological development The raw biogas needs to undertake a specific refining process to be upgraded to bio-methane and be applicable as fuel for transport. This process is quite energy intensive, thus new solutions for more efficient processes and low cost upgrading facilities must be addressed in the future. New technologies and solutions need to be given opportunities for testing and demonstration through pilot projects. As one example, technology to predict microbiological digestion processes is currently being developed by leading Norwegian researchers. Alongside this development, technologies to produce and enable the use of hydrogen from biogas as an energy carrier in the transport sector is in the phase of testing and demonstration. There are also exciting opportunities for using hydrogen to increase the share of bio-methane in the upgraded biogas stream Feedstock By increasing both quantity and quality of feedstock, a higher yield of biogas will be obtained. Issues regarding quantity involves the cost efficiency of i.e. a centralised, large scale biogas plant and establishing an infrastructure with secure deliverables of feedstock to the plant. The quality relies on the different types of feedstock, that varies in its purity and share of bio-methane released in the process of anaerobic digestion. Source separated food waste is one type of feedstock that is recently implied as part of a circular waste management system in a few regions across Europe. Very good results have been achieved in both rural areas and large cities. Large investments have been made to establish centralized plants that target the production of biogas from urban areas. The experience obtained during construction and implementation of such infrastructure, and the operational day-to-day challenges, fosters knowledge, which is important to capture and connect with new project development. As a parallel, there are other regions with extensive biogas production from decentralised, local, agricultural units. Such small scale facilities are typically not upgrading the biogas for transport. Besides, facilities for wastewater treatment represent important, potential sources for the production of biogas and other high value products. Romerike Biogas plant, Waste-to-Energy Agency of Oslo, Norway 32 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Various ways of mixing substrates to increase the yield of biogas are present, but the possibilities to do so are somewhat constrained by the construction, technologies and biological processes chosen for the specific plant. In addition, the factor of policy and regulation at all levels is also affecting the development of different value chains for biogas. The COOLSWEEP SWOT analysis indicates a position of strength of the COOLSWEEP regions based on the regional presence of leading companies and research institutions that operate in the biogas field. This can be translated into the opportunity to drive further development of the field at European level, but the analysis also highlights that stakeholders need additional support to do so. Support should be targeted especially towards excellent research in specific technological areas such as the increase of biogas yield within biogas plants, recovery of scarce materials like phosphorus, improvement of technologies for biogas storage and upgrading. Support should also be targeted towards SMEs and their effort to access international markets, as well as their effort to be part of a cross-border dialogue with triplehelix stakeholders at a European level. Improved cooperation and coordination will tackle some of the sector’s weaknesses today, namely the fact that the biogas sector is still highly dependent on governmental subsidies, it requires major investments, and initiatives are primarily developed by public authorities. Description of activities The COOLSWEEP partners will • connect the leading research institutions through suggesting joint projects. Researcher mobility should be suggested as part of all such initiatives to increase the mobility between the regions. The COOLSWEEP partners will propose the initiation of strategic research networks and partnerships based on joint knowledge about the fields of research. Support will be given to exchange knowledge about the posibilities for joint use of research infrastructure and other facilities. • involve SMEs in initiatives for research and innovation projects where there are large institutions taking lead, making it easier for SMEs to take part. The COOLSWEEP partners will follow initiatives of SMEs for developing projects in collaboration with researchers and public stakeholders; the whole triple-helix. EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden Source separated food waste, Waste-toEnergy Agency of Oslo, Norway COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 33 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan • support technological development regarding integration and synergy of technologies Integration and synergy of technologies that can improve the state of the art in biogas and biofuel sector. Such development should involve technology providers and operators as the main partners. As Life Cycle Assessment is an important tool for evaluations of the circular economy, project development taking in economic, social and environmental aspects from a life-cycle analysis perspective should be interesting as a part of new project initiatives. • seek to establish an inventory of best practices related to food-waste collection and treatment, especially in large urban areas, aimed at enhanced collection, enhanced recycling of organic waste and a higher production of biogas and bio-methane from renewable sources. Exchange of good practice in policies should be involved, as should awareness raising initiatives and communication to the civil society. • promote joint activities that support knowledge sharing about biogas production between waste operators and agricultural operators, national policy makers and stakeholders. • organise cross-regional study trips to biogas facilities as part of the activities that will be carried out by the consortium. Both researchers, technology developers and public stakeholders will be invited to such. Joint projects: 1) Transfer and sharing of technology and knowledge. Establishment of a consortium consisting of stakeholders from various European regions: 2-3 regions with implemented infrastructure for biowaste, selective collection and treatment, and 1-2 regions that are in the start-up phase of establishing such systems. The regions with efficient systems in place have experience from project management, planning, construction, and additionally they have valuable experience from the operational day-to-day challenges. All of these experiences are of large value in the process of establishing new plants and infrastructure for the treatment of bio-waste. Such a project could include several types of activities, including: • preliminary assessment of the waste collection schemes in place and study tours in the participating regions; • identification of technical and non-technical barriers that hamper a proper implementation of waste recycling, especially regarding food waste, and proposal of ways to tackle them; • co-creation of eco-innovative solutions for bio-waste treatment: demonstration at an appropriate pilot scale and market replication of integrated eco-innovative cost- and energy-efficient technologies for biofuel production from bio-waste. Estimated budget: € 5 Million 2) Testing new digester technology. Leading researchers within the field of microbiology have currently developed technology to monitor and predict the microbiological processes that take place inside a reactor/an anaerobic digester. This technology is able to understand the bacterial culture that exist at different temperatures, in different feedstock connected to the perspective of time. To implement this 34 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan knowledge into the process-control of the digester tank and automising the reactor is highly interesting for further development of the biogas field. Estimated budget: € 2 Million Expected outcomes As a result of the proposed activities, new cross-regional networks will be initiated, and knowledge will be shared between all triple helix stakeholders: researchers, technology providers, plant owners, local authorities and other actors. SMEs will be provided opportunities for taking part in large projects and gaining valuable experience in international projects. The dialogue between researchers in the field of feedstock biology will be enhanced, and researchers international projects with a large potential for knowledge transfer in the field of energy will be invited into this dialogue. The knowledge exchange about existing infrastructures will give opportunities for an optimised cross-regional utilisation of such facilities. Joint project proposals for research, innovation and technological development will be developed for Horizon2020. Opportunities for further cross-cluster collaboration will be identified in the Interreg programmes. Lead partner s OREEC; Marianne Reime; [email protected] LE2C; Carmen Disanto; [email protected] Finance& Funding opportunities Horizon 2020 work programmes: - H2020-WASTE-2014-2015 H2020-LCE-2014-2015 H2020-EE-2014-2015 H2020-ISIB-2014-2015 H2020-TWINN-2015 Interreg programmes • Waste water treatment facility, Washington D.C.; Thermal Hydrolysis Process System developed by the Norwegian company Cambi EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden ÔKS, The North Sea Region, The Baltic Sea Region, Europe Regional authorities National funds COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 35 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan 5.STEPS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT ACTION PLAN WP1 WP2 WP3 Global analysis SWOT analysis Joint Action Plan Implementation Drivers for waste-to-energy Value chain-model Cluster Action Plans Develop new parnerships Regional Indepth analysis Networking analysis & identification of market areas Indicators Business Plan Project development workshops The Joint Action Plan is an important instrument to reach the main objectives of the COOLSWEEP project. The four strategic areas ensure that the partners initiate ideas and activities of high priority. The project partners will implement the Joint Action Plan through the organisation and coordination of various supporting network activities throughout 2015. The partners will be pro-active in identifying opportunities for collaboration and further develop ideas and proposals for new cross-regional partnerships. All cluster partners will actively engage their members to participate and will share ideas between them in the process. The most important regional stakeholders will be approached to discuss bilaterally their role in new waste-to-energy partnerships and their active contribution to the partnership process. Additionally, each cluster will host thematic seminars, where the four strategic areas presented in the JAP will be discussed with several regional stakeholders. These seminars will be followed by project development workshops where ideas for concrete new projects will be drafted. The emphasis will be put on engaging stakeholders from all parts of the triple-helix. 36 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Business Plan A business plan will accompany the Joint Action Plan and Cluster Action Plans to secure an efficient approach to obtain the funding needed to implement the proposed joint activities. The business plan will contain a detailed scheme of finance and funding opportunities and make clear indications on how these interlinks with the strategic priorities of the COOLSWEEP project. The plan will present public funding sources on the regional, national and European level. EU programmes as Horizon2020, Interreg and COSME are of specific relevance on the international level, and the national and regional opportunities will be central at the level of the Cluster Action Plans. Additionally, the business plan will investigates opportunities present in the sector of private investments and funding. The development of the business plan has been carried out as a parallel activity with developing the JAP. The final work will continue for two months after the delivery of the JAP, giving the project partners sufficient time for in-depth assessments of the opportunities identified. Piles of sorted glass in front of glass-sorting plant. Technology from ©Binder+CO_Solover EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 37 COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan SOURCES: 1 http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/home 2 http://newclimateeconomy.net/ 3 http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/package/index_en.htm 4 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/council-calls-for-a-greener-europe2020-strategy?lang=en 5 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/waste/data/main_tables 6 COOLSWEEP communication plan. Original source: What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management, World Bank 7 Source: Eurostat 8 Towards a circular economy: A zero waste programme for Europe /* COM/2014/0398 final */ and ANNEX {SWD(2014) 206 final} {SWD(2014) 211 final} http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm 9 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52014PC0397 10 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/Annex-COM(2014)397.pdf 11 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm 12 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste. http:// eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/;ELX_SESSIONID=gNVgJQbbt0r8ppYy8J36GfvnGg1hBh11LTfyJvFwl0h3nL pq2pPn!1423190359?uri=CELEX:32008L0098 13 Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0031 14 Directive 2000/76/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2000 on the incineration of waste, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32000L0076 15 D1.4 Approved analytical reports for six European regions involved in the COOLSWEEP consortium* 16 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/about/roadmap/index_en.htm 17 http://www.eur-isa.org/ 18 http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/pdf/201202_innovating_sustainable_growth.pdf 19 http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/news/bioeconomy-starts-here-be-part-it 20 Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/ pdf/201202_innovating_sustainable_growth_en.pdf 21 D 1.2 Global analysis of the Waste-to-Energy field* 22 Drivers for waste-to-energy in Europe* 23 D1.4 Approved analytical reports for six European regions involved in the COOLSWEEP consortium* 24 D2.1 5 cluster reports: “Cluster SWOT analysis and Networking Intensity Level”* *All COOLSWEEP Deliverables are available at the website www.COOLSWEEP.org 38 COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP Joint Action Plan Contact info partners: OREEC: Marianne Reime; [email protected] LE2C: Carmen Disanto; [email protected] ACLIMA: Mikel Ibarra; [email protected] ECO WORLD Styria: Tobias Schwab; [email protected] CLEAN: Jonas Mortensen; [email protected] Report text produced by all COOLSWEEP partners under the coordination of OREEC. Contact Marianne Rist-Larsen Reime Design and layout: Kitsch Design | www.kitschdesign.no Front page photo: Fully automised sorting plant, Romerike Avfallsfordeling, Norway. Sorting technology delivered by Tomra sorting. This document is a part of Deliverable 3.1: “Finalised Joint Action Plan approved by all 6 regional clusters and Cluster Action Plans for each region” EUROPEISKA UNIONEN Europeiska regionala utvecklingsfonden COOLSWEEP is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme 39 List of partners: COOLSWEEP JOINT ACTION PLAN
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