The Nordic-Baltic region faces urgent challenges in reducing CO2 emissions, requiring a joint effort towards sustainable energy solutions. Leveraging bioenergy solutions emerges as a key strategy to meet emission goals. It offers the potential to diminish reliance on fossil fuels across various sectors including heating, electricity generation, and transportation.
Text: From the report “Bioenergy – Knowledge transfer in the Nordic-Baltic region for increased uptake of sustainable bioenergy”
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Commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers and supported through the Bioeconomy programme, this scoping paper delves into the intricate landscape of bioenergy innovations within the region. Employing a mixed-method approach combining desktop research and interviews, the study identifies opportunities for further knowledge transfer activities in the Nordic-Baltic region.
A technology neutral approach is vital for knowledge exchange activities as highlighted by experts included in the study. The interviews moreover led to the following observations:
✓ Current biomass challenges are directly linked to geopolitical conflicts
✓ Bioenergy has to rely on by-products, low value biomass and waste
✓ Bioenergy innovations are required to be flexible
✓ Regional areas of excellence provide opportunity for knowledge sharing
✓ Nordic-Baltic strongholds lie in integrated systems of bioenergy solutions
✓ Nordic-Baltic experts would benefit from a cooperation platform and regional funding
✓ Universities are a useful meeting place for experts to build solutions for local contexts
The Nordic-Baltic region gathers a wealth of expertise and industry interest in biomass use for energy production. Additionally, the region showcases various integrated system solutions for bioenergy—knowledge that could be applicable to other areas lacking such comprehensive approaches. This context provides a fertile foundation for fostering regional knowledge exchange and facilitating the adoption of innovative practices. Yet, amidst geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuating markets, the need for adaptability and flexibility in bioenergy strategies becomes apparent.
In response to these findings, a series of recommendations are proposed for further knowledge sharing activities:
✓ Facilitating industry and academy interactions via a Nordic-Baltic cooperation platform
✓ Supporting existing networks active in the region
✓ Creating a Nordic- Baltic call to promote regional cooperation
✓ Identifying successful integrated local solutions for knowledge sharing
✓ Involving tomorrow’s talents: organisation of Nordic-Baltic hackathons