The European Bioenergy Future 2023 (EBF2023)

The European Bioenergy Future (EBF) conference will return on 28 – 29 November 2023 at BluePoint Brussels (Blvd Auguste Reyers 80, 1030), with a rich programme and interesting pre- and post-conference events. Organized by Bioenergy Europe, EBF has been established as a leading event for the European bioenergy sector, bringing together policy and market actors.

EBF 2023 key topics

The bioenergy sector finds itself in a very complex situation: on the one hand, expanding its scope and focus due to the speed of the energy transition and the need to reach net-zero, but on the other hand facing challenges arising from the geopolitical and economic context and the complications arising from updated and new legislation. Navigating these turbulent waters is tricky. EBF2023 will bring together a diverse group of speakers and panellists aiming to provide participants with updated knowledge on EU policy context and market trends as well as to offer networking opportunities.

• Bioenergy, United! Joint Challenges and Opportunities (28 November 2023, 10:40 – 12:00).
  Bioenergy comes in a variety of forms and carriers and is the largest renewable energy source in Europe with presence in all three main energy sectors (electricity, heat, transportation). What are the challenges, opportunities and way forward of EU legislations and what will be their impact on future energy markets?
• Ready for REDIII? – What’s Next for Bioenergy Sustainability Requirements(28 November 2023, 13:30 – 15:30). Member States are in the final stages of implementing the sustainability criteria mandated by the Renewable Energy Directive, with companies racing to secure certification. But before the paint is even dry, REDIII and new legislation like the Deforestation Regulation threaten a complete redesign of this brand-new system. What is the state of play of biomass sustainability and what future requirements might be in store?
• Energy Intensive Industries and Bioenergy – The Evolving Interaction (28 November 2023, 16:00 – 17:30). Energy intensive industries are increasingly looking into bioenergy to achieve their emission reduction targets in a cost-effective way. Which ongoing projects in the steel, lime and magnesia industries talk promise to open new markets for biomass?
• Bioenergy Markets – From Current Turmoil to Future Prospects (29 November 2023, 10:00 – 12:00). In recent years, various bioenergy markets have been affected by current events: the energy crisis, evolving legislation and mega-trends in the energy markets. What is the business climate and what are the prospects for the future?
• Capturing the Future – What Lies Ahead for Biobased Carbon Removals? (29 November 2023, 13:30 – 15:30). Interest in carbon removals has never been higher as their necessity to reach net-zero is widely recognized. Are recent developments in EU policy (EU ETS, Carbon Removal Certification Framework) enough to see deployment of bioenergy-based solutions or is more needed?
• Gearing-up regional bioenergy markets – How to make it happen on the ground (29 November 2023, 16:00 – 17:30). Energy actors from across Europe showcase local initiatives focusing on the uptake of bioenergy market within the broader Green Deal roll-out. In collaboration with FEDARENE and the Energy Efficiency Watch LIFE Project.
  
  

Side events and collaborations
The overall experience of EBF2023 will be enriched by a series of side-events and collaborations:

Post-conference technical events:

On Thursday, 30 November, participants will have the chance to attend one of two technical sessions:

• ENplus® training event for quality managers
  The event is targeted to ENplus® certified companies (trader and producers), as well as a to anyone interested in the leading fuel quality certification scheme for wood pellets.
• BECCS and Biochar in practice
  The session will explore the technical aspects of Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and Biochar, by looking into the details of technological solutions for capture, transportation and storage of biogenic CO2, as well as on specific ongoing projects.

Pre-conference event:

On Monday, 27 November, the final event of the SmartCHP project will take place at Silversquare Bailli (Av. Louise 231, 1050 Brussels). Over the last three years, the SmartCHP Horizon 2020 project has worked on the development of a noovel small-scale cogeneration unit to produce renewable heat and electricity from fast pyrolysis bio-oil.

Venue

All sessions taking place on 28 – 30 November will be held at BluePoint Brussels (Blvd Auguste Reyers 80, 1030 Brussels, Belgium). The venue is easily accessible by the Brussels city centre and Zaventem airport through public transportation.