FULL TITLE: Integration of bioDIVERSity conservation within bioEnergy production for a low-carbon energy mix in the Alpine region
INTRO:
The DIVERSE Project (Integration of bioDIVERSity conservation within bioEnergy production for a low-carbon energy mix in the Alpine region) is co-funded under the Interreg Alpine Space Program 2021-2027, with the objective of promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
PROJECT FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES:
The project will address the conflicts between bioenergy production and biodiversity conservation by analyzing the conditions under which biomass can be a sustainable energy option for the Alpine arc. This challenge involves regional and local authorities, along with energy operators in the Alpine Space (AS), who must balance the binding goals established by the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII) with the need to protect a fragile and unique ecosystem. To date, individual regions have made few efforts to fully integrate European biodiversity criteria into policies and practices supporting the bioeconomy. Changing this situation requires cooperation that can provide a unified approach to bioenergy sustainability. Thus, DIVERSE will work with organizations possessing complementary expertise to lay the foundation for implementing bioenergy pathways that are both sustainable and biodiversity-friendly within the Alpine Space.
The project aims to strengthen energy diversification by integrating biomass with sustainability and biodiversity criteria. To achieve this, project partners will adopt an Open Dialogue approach, starting with the availability of local energy resources and their end uses and progressing towards sustainable value creation.
This process will guide the development of two key bioenergy value chains in the Alps, based on agricultural and forestry residues, through the activation of Focus Labs in the regions of the Project Partners. Joint work will enable the development of bioenergy pathways that are sustainable and beneficial for biodiversity. Consequently, Project Partners will combine efforts to update energy plans or strategies, management practices, and bioenergy business models, also incorporating nature conservation concepts.
Over the 3 years of cooperation, DIVERSE will contribute to accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon energy mix in the Alpine Space, reinforcing the role that sustainable bioenergy can play in achieving net-zero energy self-sufficiency.
PARTNERS
DIVERSE brings together partners from 5 European countries and involves 12 organizations of various types with complementary expertise. Specifically, the partners involved are as follows:
- Coordinator: Research on the Energy System (IT)
- Piemonte Region (IT)
- Venetian agency for innovation in the primary sector – Veneto Agricoltura (IT)
- Lombardy Green Chemistry Association (IT)
- Public Institution Ljubljansko barje Nature park (SI)
- Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (SI)
- Regional Union of the Communes forestières Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes (FR)
- 4ward Energy Research Ltd. (AT)
- Landshut University of Applied Sciences (DE)
- Italian-German Chamber of Commerce (DE)
- Local Energy Agency – LEA GmbH (AT)
- University of Graz (AT)
DETAILS:
- Total Budget: 2.809.781,50 €
- ERDF support: 2.107.336,12 €
- Duration: 01/09/2024 – 28/02/2027
