Sustainable Bioenergy Solutions for Tomorrow (BEST) research program factsheet describing the four-year-program

1. BEST in brief
Sustainable Bioenergy Solutions for
Tomorrow (BEST) is a Finnish public-
private research program. BEST crosses
traditional business area boundaries and
joins the strengths of forest and energy
sectors, complemented by the know-how
of technology and consulting companies
and research organizations. The consortium
consists of 22 companies and 12 research
organizations. The program runs for four
years (2013-2016) with an annual budget of
roughly 4 MEUR.
BEST - SUSTAINABLE
BIOENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR
TOMORROW
BEST FACTSHEET
MARCH 2016
BEST Program Manager
For more information, please contact
Kaisu Leppänen
Mob.: +358 44 288 4824
E-mail: kaisu.leppanen@spinverse.com
CLIC Innovation Ltd. c/o Spinverse Oy
Innopoli 2, Tekniikantie 14
FI–02150 Espoo, FINLAND
Solution Architect for Global
Bioeconomy & Cleantech Opportunities
BEST is an ecosystem program aiming to create sustainable bioenergy business
opportunities for the future. The program builds on the existing Finnish strengths in
energy technology and integrated concepts, which have been applied successfully by
the forest and energy companies.
Bioenergy is a key part of the renewable energy mix. It has great potential in mitigating
climate change, meeting the growing global energy demand in a sustainable way and
promoting local energy self-sufficiency. However, major global developments have
posed new questions that must to be solved before all the benefits of bioenergy can
be put to full use.
Global energy demand is increasing, mostly due to growing economic welfare and
urbanization, especially in developing countries. This calls for efficient and sustainable
energy concepts that can satisfy the specific needs of each market environment.
Renewable energy sources have taken most of the market growth, and investments
are likely to remain at a high level. To understand the opportunities of bioenergy in
relation to other renewables, an energy system approach is needed.
Policy-related uncertainty is rising in some key OECD markets. Relying on subsidies
might no longer be a viable option. The use of biomass is expected to diversify into
a wide variety of end products (materials, chemicals) to replace fossil-based ones,
which will increase the demand for biomass. Also, the variable costs, i.e. the feedstock
costs play an important role for the competitiveness of bioenergy compared to other
renewables. Hence, it is important that the available resources are used efficiently and
to the maximum benefit.
New competences, operating models, networks and system-level studies are needed
in order to create winning and sustainable solutions to these challenges.
BIOENERGY
SIMULATION
COST EFFICIENCYBUSINESS MODELS
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
OPTIMIZATION
MEASUREMENTS
BIOGAS BIOREFINERY
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
CITY BIOENERGY
CONCEPTS
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
COMBUSTION
HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS
BIOFUEL
ENVIRONMENT
BIOMASS RAW MATERIALS
BIOECONOMY
RENEWABLE ENERGY
ENERGY
SYSTEM
INTEGRATED CONCEPTS
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
ECOSYSTEM
MARKETS
SUPPLY CHAINS
STORAGES
BIOMASS TERMINALS
LOGISTICS
QUALITY
SUSTAINABLE
INNOVATIVE
SOLUTIONS
www.clicinnovation.fi/activity/best

2. About CLIC Innovation Ltd
The BEST consortium is managed by
CLIC Innovation Ltd. CLIC Innovation
is an open innovation cluster with the
mission of creating breakthrough solutions
in bioeconomy, energy and cleantech.
CLIC Innovation coordinates R&D&I
project portfolios to construct systemic
solutions which are beyond the resources
of individual operators. The cluster is a
cross-organizational fast-moving network.
The shareholders of the nonprofit CLIC
Innovation Ltd include 30 companies and
17 universities and research institutions.
www.clicinnovation.fi
BEST research aims at optimizing the
role and competitiveness of bioenergy
and ensuring efficiency and sustainability
throughout the bioenergy value chains
Solution Architect for Global
Bioeconomy & Cleantech Opportunities
Participating organisations
Andritz, Arbonaut, Ekokem, Etelä-
Savon Energia, Fortum, Gasum, Helen,
Indufor, Mantsinen Group, Measurepolis
Development, Metsä Group, Metsäteho,
Neste, Pohjolan Voima, Prometec, Savcor,
Senfit, Stora Enso, UPM, Valmet Automation,
Valmet Technologies, ÅF-Consult,
Aalto University, Finnish Environmental
Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational
Health, Finnish Meteorological Institute,
Karelia University of Applied Sciences,
Lappeenranta University of Technology,
Natural Resources Institute Finland, Tampere
University of Technology, University of
Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki,
University of Oulu, VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland
The following key challenges – relevant in both national and international bioenergy
applications – have been raised to the center of the BEST research agenda:
1. Bioenergy has to find its specific role and benefits in relation to other renewable
energy sources.
2. Biomass supply chains have to be cost and resource efficient and reliable,
including both quantity and quality aspects.
3. Bioenergy can often strongly benefit from being operated in parallel with other
production (materials, chemicals, food). Concepts where the role of bioenergy is
optimized so that different uses for biomass complement rather than compete
with each other need to be identified.
4. All of the activities along the biomass supply chains and bioenergy production
must be accomplished in a sustainable way. It has been recognized during the
program that being prepared and proactive in sustainability issues can be a source
of growth.
Responding to these challenges successfully will create a number of positive impacts:
• Bioenergy finds its competitive role in the future energy system and in the
bioeconomy / circular economy frameworks
• Bioenergy helps mitigate climate change
• Bioenergy supports local self-sufficiency and local employment strategies
• Subsidy requirements decrease or disappear when the cost efficiency of the
bioenergy chains improves
• The Finnish companies are able to expand their businesses both globally and
nationally
SMART MEASUREMENTS
FEEDSTOCK
INTEGRATION
INTELLIGENT ERP
LOGISTICS & INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
CUSTOMER
FEEDBACK
OPTIMISED STORAGES