emerging technological innovation systems for second generation
TRANSCRIPT
Emerging technological innovation systems
for second generation biofuels in Norway
Antje Klitkou & Arne Fevolden
COBREN: Copenhagen Biofuels Research Network
International Conference on Governing Sustainable Biofuels: Markets, Certification and Technology
Copenhagen, 19-20 November 2012
19-20 Nov 2012
Content
Background: – Norway is a leading nation in renewable energy sources and climate change mitigating
technologies
– Nevertheless, Norway faces problems in developing new technological solutions for
second generation biofuels (2GB) technologies.
Research question: – This paper investigates the main impediments preventing Norway from succeeding in
second generation biofuels, and what can be done to improve the situation.
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2012 Klitkou & Fevolden 2
Theoretical perspective
Technological innovation system: – “a network of agents interacting in the economic/industrial area under a particular
institutional infrastructure and involved in the generation, diffusion and utilization of
technology” (Carlsson & Stànkiewicz, 1991, p. 94)
Seven functions: 1. Entrepreneurial activities
2. Knowledge development and learning processes
3. Knowledge diffusion through networks
4. Guidance of the search
5. Market formation
6. Resource mobilisation
7. The creation of legitimacy and counteracting resistance to change
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2012 3 Klitkou & Fevolden
Methodology
Event analysis:
– “It encompasses continuous and discontinuous causation, critical incidents, contextual
effects and effects of formative patterns” (Hekkert et al., 2007).
A case database has been created
– Data input – reports, technical news, newspaper articles, research projects, governmental
publications, the IEA Global Renewable Energy Policies and Measures database and
national legal documents
– The case database includes the year or time period when the event took place, the event
category, the related function in the TIS and if the event had a positive or negative impact
on the development of the TIS.
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Event History
The event history of the emerging 2GB TIS in Norway can be divided into
three periods: – 1998–2005
– 2006–2007
– 2008 up to now
Four companies are the focus of attention in these case studies: – Cambi AS
– Norske Skog/Xynergo
– Weyland AS
– Borregaard AS
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2012 5 Klitkou & Fevolden
Technological background
Weyland – bio-chemical path
Borregaard –bio-chemical path
Xynergo – thermo-chemical
path
Cambi – anaerobic digestion
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2012 6 Klitkou & Fevolden
Cambi
First period, 1998–2005: – Cambi changed from focusing on pellet production to the production of biogas by
anaerobic digestion of bio-solids and biowaste
Second period, 2006–2007: – Cambi developed more ambitious facilities (e.g. Verdal)
– Cambi’s technology was still not being used for producing biogas for transport
– Problems with sorting out non-biological waste from the feedstock undermined the
efficiency of the process, increased odour problems and led to negative publicity
Third period, 2008 up to now: – Cambi embark on international expansion and signed contracts to build larger biogas
facilities all over the world: in the U.S., Chile, the Middle East, and the Baltic countries.
– Cambi started the construction of a facility in Oslo that should be able to supply 135
busses with biogas from biowaste
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2012 7 Klitkou & Fevolden
Weyland
First period, 1998–2005: – At the University College of Bergen two researchers developed a new technology for the
production of bioethanol.
– They established Weyland AS in 2001 with the intention to commercialise this technology
Second period, 2006–2007: – RCN also funded a pilot project for Weyland AS on 2GB
Third period, 2008 up to now: – October 2010, Weyland launched a pilot facility for 2GB with a technology based on the
usage of residuals and the re-use of strong acids
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2012 Endres i topp-/bunntekst 8
Xynergo
First period, 1998–2005: – A report delivered by KanEnergi at the end of 2005 recommended that the production of
synthetic biodiesel based on forest residuals could be a feasible strategy for Norske Skog
Second period, 2006–2007: – Hydro collaborated with Norske Skog in a feasibility study on biodiesel and Norske Skog
explored possibilities for cooperation with Choren in Germany.
– Choren has been engaged in the development of an advanced BTL process based on
gasification of woody biomass and a FT synthesis into synthetic diesel
Third period, 2008 up to now: – 2008 Norske Skog established a new subsidiary producing BtL-diesel, Xynergo, based on
their collaboration with the technology provider Choren in Germany
– November 2010, Norske Skog decided to shut down Xynergo because of a lack of risk
capital and lacking technology details
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Borregaard
First period, 1998–2005: – For several decades Borregaard has produced bioethanol as a bi-product from its biorefinery
– Borregaard has developed the concept of a biorefinery over many years, where the production of
2GB is integrated with the production of other more valuable chemicals
– RCN funded R&D project on chemical processing of dry wood chips
Second period, 2006–2007: – R&D on new pretreatment process
Third period, 2008 up to now: – Patenting of Lignocellulosic biomass conversion by sulfite pretreatment
– 2009 EU funding for 3 projects: EuroBioRef, Suprabio, Sunlibb
– 2009 LCA of production of cellulose, ethanol, lignin and vanillin, Environmental Product Declaration
– 2010 funding from Innovation Norway’s environmental technology support scheme
– Usage of 20 million litres of bioethanol annually in Oslo busses
– Use of residuals and wastewater
for energy production
– Pilot facility for the new
BALI process - start in 2012
allows low cost hydrolysis of
cellulose
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2012 10
DigesterDebarking
Bleachingplant
Pretreatmentand various
process units
Ligninplant
Dehydration
Dryer
Dehydration
Prod
ucti
onof
tim
ber
and
woo
dch
ips,
incl
. tra
nspo
rt
Prod
ucti
onan
d tr
ansp
ort o
fch
emic
als
Energy system; boiler
house and combustion
plants
Prod
ucti
onan
d tr
ansp
ort o
fene
rgy
carr
iers
Production and transport ofchemicals
Production and transport ofchemicals
Steam
Electricity
Variousproducts
Ethanol 96%
Ethanol 99%
Cellulose
Lignin
Vanillin
Hot water
Ethanol plant
Use
d by
all p
lant
s
Vanillin plant
Klitkou & Fevolden
Source: Brekke & Modahl, 2012
Conclusion I
1. Technological barriers are related to processes which are not fully
understood or at least unproven commercially. Examples are: – processes for BtL-production with Choren technology, which have not been demonstrated
commercially
– low conversion efficiency of biochemical ethanol and the related greater need for chemical
and material inputs
– processing waste feedstock of varying quality for producing biogas and related odour
problems.
2. Economic barriers occur because of: – lacking markets for 2GB due to low prices for fossil fuels
– the need for coordination between public and private actors in quite complex value chains,
especially for biogas
– restricted access to feedstock for biogas
– the need for new infrastructure for biogas production, distribution and retail
– a lack of risk capital for demonstrating the viability of the technology at larger scale.
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2012 11 Klitkou & Fevolden
Conclusion II
3. Legitimacy barriers are related to: – negative social and environmental impacts associated with first generation biofuels, which
led to significant debate about providing subsidies for such industrial activities
– legitimacy for biodiesel being threatened by reports on health risks
– public awareness about the potentials of biogas being rather low
– legitimacy for biogas struggling with odour problems caused by feedstock.
4. Political barriers are related to: – insufficient political framework conditions which have only recently given more substantial
financial support to 2GB
– inconsistent policy, such as tax exemptions for biofuels or carbon pricing, over time, but
also policy variation between 2G biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas
– resistance to change because of the dominance of the Norwegian petroleum and gas
sector.
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2012 12 Klitkou & Fevolden