Accelerating Energy Independence and Emission Reduction: the role of advanced biofuels in transport

a hybrid EurActiv event on 6 September 2022, Brussels/online

Carlo Hamelinck of studio Gear Up will be one of the panelists at an Euroactive event that discusses the role of low-carbon liquid fuels and especially advanced biofuels in the energy transition in Europe. The panelists will reflect on the proposal by the EC on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive that will set increased targets for reducing the carbon intensity of energy used for transport.

Questions that will be brought to the table are:

How can the EU’s energy independence be increased at affordable prices while reducing fossil consumption and at the same time accelerating climate change mitigation efforts? How can this be done especially in transport?
How can the sustainable potential of domestic feedstock for advanced biofuels be increased?
How can sustainability be ensured at every step of the value chain?
What kind of regulatory framework is needed to boost green growth investments?

Other panelists are Bernd Kuepker (DG Energy of the European Commission), Nils Torvalds (MEP), Erik Bergkvist (MEP) Anne Marit Post-Melbye (Zero Norge) and Marko Janhunen (UPM).

Registration and info

Click here for registration or more information on the event.

Analysis of SAF allowances (FEETS) – 2024-price update

February 2025, the European Commission adopted a new support mechanism on ‘SAF allowances’: used to bridge the price gap for the use of alternative fuels to accelerate the roll out of SAF.
We reviewed this mechanism in order to assess its expected impact on supporting the development of SAF market. We conclude that the policy design would require additional policy instruments to support the broader development of the SAF market.

Current POME-based biofuels in EU fall within current production potential

According to studio Gear Up’s numerical analysis, the current volume of POME-biofuels deployed in the EU are in the range of current production volumes of POME residues. We advise to keep a close look on the future volumes of POME-based biofuels, given the upper limits of production. Strengthening the information position of renewable fuels supply chains with more frequent auditing and historical data of POME-oil production are needed.

SAF allowances may not be the best instrument to ramp up SAF production

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are renewable fuels that replace fossil based kerosine in aircrafts and are seen as an important option to mitigate climate emissions in the aviation sector. Generally, these alternative fuels are more expensive than their fossil counterpart, kerosene. In order to support the uptake of SAF, the European Commission has introduced several policy instruments.