Cooperation in the development of bioenergy technologies

There is great potential to increase the share of bioenergy in the overall energy mix in Energy Charter member countries, but this will require significant investments, cooperation in research and development, and improved access to technologies. This was a main conclusion of an international meeting on cooperation in the development of bioenergy technologies, which took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on 10 May 2007, co-organised by the Energy Charter Secretariat with the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure and the Academy of Science of Moldova. Opening the meeting, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure of Moldova Vladimir Antosii noted that the development of local energy resources is a priority for his country as a way of reducing Moldova's complete dependence on imported energy. He said that the Energy Charter framework provides the "best basis for finding solutions" to Moldova's energy challenges, in particular by promoting diversification and ensuring reliable international transportation of energy supply.

Dr. Gheorghe Duca, President of the Academy of Science, noted that the development and deployment of renewable energy sources is one of the priority areas of research carried out by the Academy, in line with the priorities of the Energy Strategy of Moldova to 2020. Moldova has significant potential in bioenergy, but in addition to draft legislation that has been prepared in order to promote investments in and use of renewable energy technologies, Dr Duca underlined the need for international cooperation to overcome the

"many scientific, technological, organisational and financial obstacles that are common for all Energy Charter countries."

The meeting in Chisinau brought together delegates from Energy Charter countries and regional experts in bioenergy to discuss the technologies for converting biomass to energy, along with policy measures conducive to development of bioenergy on the national, regional and local levels. As well as presentations of projects in Moldova, there was detailed discussion of the experience of Central European countries in developing bioenergy, and the Spanish Office for Science and Technology described the opportunities for cooperation in this area for non-EU states with the European Union and in particular with Spain. The meeting demonstrated the high potential of bioenergy technologies in contributing to efficiency of the energy sector and addressing environmental challenges.

The 1994 Energy Charter Treaty mandates its members to

"promote and co-operate in the research, development and application of energy efficient and environmentally sound technologies, practices and processes."

In addition, member countries are under an obligation to promote access to and transfer of energy technology on a commercial and non-discriminatory basis, as well as to reduce obstacles to the transfer of energy technology.

In his presentation to the meeting, Dr. Andrei Konoplyanik, the Deputy Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, noted that technology transfer has become a prominent part of the Charter's work. With the emphasis in energy developments increasingly aimed at demand side (energy efficiency in end-use and energy conversion) and carbon-free and non-fossil-fuels energies, there is increasing demand for access to new technologies - particularly for those relating to renewable energy resources, e.g. to biofuels.

Given the time and capital necessary for research activities, Ralf Dickel, the Secretariat's Director for Trade, Transit and Relations with Non-Signatories, stressed the importance of international collaborative efforts in developing clean energy technologies in order to tackle climate change. He said that bioenergy presented great potential for cooperation within the Energy Charter constituency since this is an area where many member countries can contribute, having the technological expertise, resources and biodiversity necessary for bioenergy production.

Biomass resources used for production of energy include agricultural and forest products, waste and industrial by-products, and can be used for the production of heat, electricity and biofuels for transport. Bioenergy provides a potential for many Charter's member countries to diversify their energy mix, and contribute to a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.

The meeting was followed in Moldova by a regular meeting of the Energy Charter Trade and Transit Group. The meeting included a presentation on GALSI gas pipeline (Algeria - Sardinia - Italy), and discussion of the outcome of the meeting on electricity cooperation in Central and Southern Asia that took place in Bishkek on 26 April.

Selected presentations made at the meeting are available below. For additional information, you can also refer to a publication 'Driving Without Petroleum' released by the Energy Charter Secretariat in May 2007 that provides a comparative guide to biofuels, gas-to-liquids and coal-to-liquids as fuels for transportation.

Expert Meeting on Cooperation on Development of Bioenergy Technologies

Chairman: Mr. V. A. Kalmykov, Deputy Chairman of the Energy Charter Group on Trade and Transit

Welcome

Prof. Gheorghe Duca, President of the Academy of Science of Moldova (in Russian)

Mr. Vladimir Antosii, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure of Republic of Moldova (in Russian)

Dr. Andrei Konoplyanik, Deputy Secretary General, Energy Charter Secretariat

Introduction

Mr. Ralf Dickel, Director for Trade, Transit and Relations with Non-signatories, Energy Charter Secretariat

Session 1: Overview of Bioenergy Technologies and Industry in the Region - Different Feedstock for Bioenergy Production in the Region - Cost Efficiency Cross-analysis

Developments in technologies for conversion of biomass to energy
Markets overview for different technologies in the region
Cost-efficiency prospects

Mr. Gábor Kaczmarczyk, Business Development Director, EBP European Bio Power Llc

Dr. Victor Zhuzhuk, Moldova-Germany JV "Bio Company RAPS"

Dr. Vyacheslav Afanasiev, General Director, Agency for Innovations and Transfer of Technology of Moldova's Academy of Science, Moldova's Academy of Science

Dr. Valerian Cerempei, Scientific Director, Institute of Agricultural Technology "MECAGRO", Moldova's Academy of Science

Ms. Juliana Chaves Chaparro, Scientific Officer, Spanish Office for Science and Technology

Session 2: National and International Policy Conducive to Bioenergy Technologies Development and Deployment: the Role of Governments and International Organisations

Market distortions and incentives
Policy measures conducive to development of bioenergy on the national, regional and local level (fiscal measures such as taxes and subsidies, trade measures, protection of intellectual property rights)
Work of the Energy Charter in promoting bioenergy to address its members needs
Collaboration between IGOs and institutes, business community, and associations

Mr. Vladimir P. Berzan, Vice-Director, Institute of Power Engineering

Mr. Ralf Dickel, Director for Trade, Transit and Relations with Non-signatories

Ms. Yulia Selivanova, Energy Charter Secretariat

Panel Discussion: How to Foster Cooperation on Bioenergy Technologies? Role of the Energy Charter

Dr. Andrei Konoplyanik, Deputy Secretary General, Energy Charter Secretariat

Mr. Ralf Dickel, Director for Trade, Transit and Relations with Non-signatories, Energy Charter Secretariat

Ms. Yulia Selivanova, Energy Charter Secretariat

Dr. Ilie Timofte, consultant of the Department of Technical Regulation and Technology Transfer, Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure of Moldova (in English, Russian and Moldovan)

Ms. Juliana Chaves Chaparro, Scientific Officer, Spanish Office for Science and Technology