On request of the Belgian company Zero Emissions Solutions we reviewed and complemented their analysis on support mechanisms for renewable energy in the Netherlands, and led the discussions on this topic in an interactive stakeholder debate organised in the framework of the Interreg ECO2PROFIT-project.
 

Selection of news and writing of the quarterly NPSB Information Bulletin from NL Agency. This publication summarizes the Dutch, European and global news related to sustainability of biomass.
 

Review of bioenergy policies papers from Argentina, Brazil, Kenya, Senegal and Thailand.

The first part of this study looks at the sustainability impacts of different private certification schemes in countries with different levels of risk.  The second part of this study aims to get a better understanding in the experiences in the implementation of the European Renewable Energy Directive, and its procedures for the recognition of voluntary schemes, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

This project was divided in two phases. The first phase comprehended a full benchmark of national sustainability systems in the EU, considering aspects of CoC, auditability, level of assurance, verification mechanisms, special rules for proving compliance with the sustainability criteria on land and GHG emissions savings. The second phase consisted in the design of the Spanish national sustainability system; special focus was given to the mass balance rules, and the requirements for auditability of the system.

Development of a continental energy and climate change strategy for the African Development Bank . Main elements of this strategy includes energy access to conventional and sustainable energy services in all countries, regional integration and international trade of energy . This work also involved an analysis of the Bank’s procedures to approve loans and monitor projects, and an evaluation of the new financial instruments.

Techno-economic feasibility study for the construction of sustainable farms and medium sized jatropha biodiesel plants in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The study included a market study, sustainability analysis under US and EU sustainability obligations, technology selection, and CDM possibilities analysis.

SQ Consult assisted N.V. Nuon with the writing of its yearly report, integrating financial and sustainability reporting. This resulted in a score of A+ from the GRI institute. Accent was put on issues such as new investments, fuel mix and integration with Vattenfall.

This project assists NL Agency with the development of factsheets on a selection of promising countries and bioenergy crops. The factsheets provide an overview of the current role of a bioenergy crop or of a country in the stimulation of sustainable biomass for energy, fuel or for biobased materials. Information can be used by the market and other relevant parties to get a first understanding of market opportunities or possibilities for cooperation.

The objective for this project is to develop a transparent uniform method for assessing the environmental performance of energy saving, renewable energy and CO2 emission reduction measures that affect the supply of industrial production processes. A uniform calculation method must ensure that project alternatives for designing the energy infrastructure of an industrial productions site are comparable, and that stakeholders have a good understanding of their own ambition. Special focus in the project is on valuing the energy savings and CO2 emissions of imported and exported energy streams like electricity and (waste)-heat. 

Calculation of the RED (Directive 2009/28/EC) compliant Greenhouse Gas balance for a yet-to-be-built bioethanol facility in Poland.

The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) is represented by approx. 45 countries and 22 international organizations– as partners or observers. These include large economies as China, Brazil or the US.  GBEP has developed a set of 24 voluntary indicators for monitoring the sustainability of bioenergy on country level.

The objective of this project is to implement a pilot desk study on measuring the GBEP indicators in the Netherlands to gain insight into the practical applicability of the GBEP indicators in a Dutch context and the feasibility of using the GBEP indicators as monitoring tool.

This project for NL Agency provides a deeper understanding of the differences between voluntary certification systems for biofuels and biomass for other energy purposes; this in terms of their level of assurance, their scope, and their benefits and costs of certification. The outcomes provide all background information on these systems for market parties to be able to choose a specific one. It also provides the needed transparency to market parties and regulators on how to act on these differences.

The following certification systems are evaluated: Bonsucro, ISCC (EU version), NTA8080/81, REDcert (German version), Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS) and 2BSvs.

The project provides an up-to-date overview of the current status and expectations of the transposition of the EU-RED in the selected national member states being Italy, Spain, France, UK and the Netherlands, and the possible implications for trading of biofuels.

Elaboration and utilisation of methodological assessments to provide project developers with further guidance on the execution of a comprehensive sustainability evaluation of their projects

This project was divided in two phases. The first phase comprehended a full benchmark of national sustainability systems in the EU, considering aspects of CoC, auditability, level of assurance, verification mechanisms, special rules for proving compliance with the sustainability criteria on land and GHG emissions savings. The second phase consisted in the design of the Spanish national sustainability system; special focus was given to the mass balance rules, and the requirements for auditability of the system.

SQ Consult provided expert judgment on whether a certification or vertification system, that has not been accepted yet by other EU member states and / or the European Commission,  complies with the Dutch Assessment Protocol and requirements for approval in the Netherlands.