On September 22-23 Polish Chamber of Biofuels organized exceptional, anniversary, X. edition of the biofuels conference, this year combined in one event with 14th Petroleum Industry Meeting – Polish Biofuel Market. Cooperation with Information Market S.A. resulted in an interesting event that gathered almost 180 participants on place and several dozen on-line.
Jubilee of the X. biofuels conference of the Chamber
First day of the conference was devoted to a gala dinner, where Polish Chamber of Biofuels Board, celebrating X. anniversary of biofuels conference, honored with occasional statuette important figures representing world of science, politics, agriculture and business, whose many years’ support influenced positively development of the Chamber and biofuels industry itself. Those are:
- Jarosław Kalinowski
- Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski
- prof. Andrzej Kowalski
- dr inż. Delfina Rogowska
- Juliusz Młodecki
- Radosław Stasiuk
Later part of the dinner had less official, networking character and undoubtedly met expectations connected with face-to-face meetings and direct lively discussions, so desired after pandemic restrictions.
Second day
Second day of the conference was devoted to studied program, referring to exciting time of formation of national and European legislation for renewables use and decarbonization of transport sector.
After ceremonial opening of the event done by Information Market’s President of the Board Robert Bukowski and the Polish Chamber of Biofuels President of the Board Zygmunt Gzyra, first panel, devoted to regulations in the Polish transport fuels market and National Reduction Target, has started. Counselors Wojciech Kotala and Adrian Biały presented update on national regulations and expected changes in National Reduction Target, together with status of RED2 implementation to Polish law. Delfina Rogowska, PhD, gave an overview of preparation trajectory, that certification bodies need to pass to implement provisions of RED2 together with major changes. Mateusz Krzak from ORLEN Południe presented company’s plans to become biorefinery with investments scheduled in the area of renewables like lignocellulosic bioethanol, II generation biodiesel or biomethane.
Second panel, after refreshing coffee, focused on possibilities and necessity to introduce higher blends of biofuels. Interpretation and assessment of biodiesel market regulatory foundations in the light of Fit for 55 package, was made by Xavier Noyon of European Biodiesel Board. He underlined the need of all elements of the package to be harmonized and level of ambitions to be increased. Michał Lechowicz from PERN showed insight to logistic background of storage, blending and dispensing of liquid fuels, emphasizing the need of operating in stable and unambiguous regulatory environment and declaring openness to Clients’ needs. Jan Lubowicz PhD presented recommendations for optimal implementation of E10 in Poland in reference to the expertise prepared by Oil and Gas Institute experts on this subject. Main recommendations are: the target of 5,3% bioethanol in energy together with minimum of 7% in volume (in form of alcohol) in E10 gasoline Pb95; implementation process could start in the end of 2022 with full implementation as of beginning of 2023.
Third panel, comprising of experts discussion on strategies of renewables use on transport in the light of increasing EU ambitions, started with presentation of Emmanuel Desplechin from ePURE. Our guest presented status of fulfilling the targets concerning RES-T and GHG emissions reduction, as well as gave an assessment of Fit for 55 package provisions from bioethanol producers point of view. This prelude made a jumping-off point for the discussion, in which following experts were invited:
- Zygmunt Gzyra, Polish Chamber of Biofuels,
- Leszek Wiwała, Polish Oil Trade and Industry Organisation,
- Robert Brzozowski, Unimot S.A.
- Michał Lechowicz, PERN S.A.
- and Emmanuel Desplechin, ePURE.
The discussion was moderated by Adam Stępień form the Polish Chamber of Biofuels and Szymon Araszkiewicz from Information Market S.A.
On the beginning, Zygmunt Gzyra, who was asked about the role of 1G biofuels in transport decarbonization and the attitude of producers to investments in 2G technologies, remarked with some kind of sorrow, that the society, despite already common belief in the need of climate change mitigation, is not so positive to make sacrifice and bear some costs. President Gzyra is convinced that the role of stable, available and sustainable 1G biofuels are essential in the meantime before complete elimination of combustion engines. He also explained that 1G producers are the most probable investors in 2G, as they can benefit from expertise in production management, distribution or necessary reporting. Robert Brzozowski, representing company that is obliged to fulfill national targets for renewables use, emission reduction and others, underlined difficulties connected with unstable law, unpredictable changes of prices etc. Leszek Wiwała summarized that liquid fuels industry, including biofuels, is undoubtedly in difficult and game changing times regarding plans to eliminate combustion engines. Emmanuel Desplechin is convinced that the transformation will require sweat and tears, however will only be possible in case that major corrections of the Fit for 55 package are made. Michał Lechowicz questioned about new offer of PERN for clients facing such challenging ambitions, repeated that the company is ready for specified requirements of its clients and economically justified investments. In the final round of speeches, Leszek Wiwała appealed for fight rather with emissions than with engines, Emmanuel Desplechin emphasized the need to use renewable energy to substitute fossil fuels, not other renewable sources, while Michał Lechowicz wished himself stability in business for at least several coming years. In last sentence of the debate, Zygmut Gzyra shared his opinion, that despite common wish for clear, stable and gentle path towards changes, the reality will be rather different than that.
This been said, the conference was officially closed.
Thank you for your participation!
Many thanks for our noble Honorary Patrons:
- Ministery of Agriculture and Rural Development,
- Oil and Gas Institute and
- Energy Regulatory Office,
and our generous sponsors:
- REDcert,
- BSI,
- Novozymes
- Technoilogy.
- Ministerstwu Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi,
- Instytutowi Nafty i Gazu PIB,
- Urzędowi Regulacji Energetyki,
oraz Sponsorom – firmom:
- REDcert,
- BSI,
- Novozymes
- Technoilogy.