What is Mallorca planning to do in BIOSIRE?For an overview of the workprogramme of Mallorca within the BIOSIRE project, click here.
Find out what is going on in the BIOSIRE demonstration region of Mallorca |
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 Organization of two thematic local workshops in Palma
10. February 2010
The local partners CINESI, CTM and GEN have been organizing two different thematic workshops, which took place the 4th of February in Palma. These events were planned in the Market Transformation Plan, the document which addresses the local implementation strategy of the BIOSIRE project
The first workshop was focused on the use of biofuels among fleet operators. Experts and users were invited in order to know their opinion and experience in using this alternative fuel. The meeting was quite technical, considering both economic and mechanical advantages and drawbacks of shifting to alternative propulsion.
Secondly, the next workshop was addressed to promote the collection and recycling of used cooking oil. Again, experts from both private and public entities explained their programmes, activities and advantages of recycling this type of waste. The workshop tried to persuade local authorities to set up such oil collection schemes by setting PPP’s (Public and Private Partnerships), public programmes, etc.
Previously, local partners were working hard on spreading among potential target groups the celebration of both workshops. Thus, partners contacted to regional ministries, local authorities and local agendas 21, private associations and companies, fleet operators, etc. The objective was to disseminate the objectives of the BIOSIRE project as well as inform about the local strategy in order to make easier and more successful the implementation phase.
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Environmental Report on Biodiesel and marine environment
12. November 2009
One of the objectives of the project is to introduce the use of biodiesel in marine fleets, mainly recreational boats for tourist purposes. Thus, local partners considered it necessary to perform some research and elaborate a report on the behaviour of biodiesel in the marine environment. The aim of this report is to find out if biodiesel could be more harmful than diesel in case of an accidental spill. CINESI has been working on this topic during the last weeks, and the initial results point out that biodiesel should, theoretically, generate less negative impacts than diesel in case of an spill due mainly to its higher biodegradability and therefore lower persistence in the water (components that make up biodiesel are not as complex as in conventional diesel), and lower toxicity for aquatic species. Nevertheless, most of the studies carried out so far, point out the need for more research in order to validate the results aforementioned.
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 European Mobility Week in Palma
12. November 2009
During the celebration of the European Mobility Week in Palma (16th-22th September 2009), CINESI organized a company’s stand at the city’s fairground (located beside the airport). This stand contained several thematic roll-ups explaining the activities and typology of projects developed by the company. Among these roll-ups, one was designed to explain the BIOSIRE project to the general public. It contained some specific data about the market transformation plan, and its development on the island. Moreover, BIOSIRE dissemination products were handed out to people interested in the project. |
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 Article in a regional magazine
12. November 2009
CINESI and CTM, together with ECORECICLING, have both been interviewed by the editorial staff of the regional magazine “Gran Empresa”. This magazine contains information about local and regional enterprises, business experiences and options, interviews with successful personalities, articles about specific economic activities, advices on different areas like management, human resources, etc.
The interview is planned to be published in December 2009 as the interview was carried out a few days ago. Basically, CINESI and CTM have both explained the contents, scope and objectives of the BIOSIRE project, paying special attention on the local strategy. The aim is to spread the knowledge on the project among the regional business network in order to disseminate the environmental, social and economic benefits of alternative fuels, in particular the use of biodiesel produced from recycled cooking oil.
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 First Local Workshop and outcomes: roadmap for a market transformation strategy
28. August 2009
The first Local Workshop (LWS) was held on the 30th of June 2009. All involved key actors attended to the meeting. This LWS was considered as the first step in order to design a realistic strategy for changing the regional market.
The first part of the meeting consisted in a deep discussion of the main barriers to overcome. Thus, biodiesel producers and used cooking oil collectors exposed their needs and their willing to promote the use of energy efficient fuels. In general terms, the identified drawbacks are those relating to:
- Variability of market prices of used oil.
- Used cooking oil is a special typology of waste, which its collection and treatment is not subsidized by public authorities. It is the only one material that has to compete in the market with no economic aid from the public sector.
- So far, used cooking oil collectors need to export its product to the mainland since the demand is not big enough.
- Problems for introducing local produced biodiesel into the regional market. GEN has not reached an agreement with Oil Companies that control all fuel stations on the island. Up to now, these companies prefer to import the product from the mainland, arguing that this option is cheaper and safer for them.
- There is a huge public disinformation about the benefits of biodiesel and its legal regulation and use as a product.
The second part of the LWS was addressed to define a SWOT analysis of the current situation of the sector, paying special attention on the barriers aforementioned. Potential solutions were exposed by public authorities and there was a unanimous conviction that the promotion of used cooking oil collection and treatment for a later production of biodiesel is necessary, as well as the introduction of biodiesel in transport fleets that have their own fuelling systems. It was also discussed the need to introduce the biodiesel produced in the island into the local market (fuel stations) by designing and applying specific legal tools and regulations.
Nowadays, involved partners and key actors are working hard hand in hand in the elaboration of the Market Transformation Plan, which will define the strategy for achieving the local objectives of the project.
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 Project meeting between members of the local working group and oil collection enterprises
08. June 2009
Last week (4th June 2009) a meeting between CINESI, CTM, Energy Department and oil collection enterprises took place in the industrial estate of Marratxi. A lot of interesting issues were discussed, among them the need to promote the use of recycled cooking oil for producing biofuels, the possibility to design new policy tools for introducing biofuels into the market, the problems that collectors have to face to develop their activity, price and financial issues,…The meeting focused not only on the current situation of the oil collection sector but also on the organization and planning of the next local workshop, to be held in late June. This workshop is expected to be the first step to elaborate and promote a market transformation plan, which will be designed in July. |
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 Regional Ministry of Mobility and Regional Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy have agreed to work together in order to canalize the objectives of the BIOSIRE project
08. June 2009
A range of internal meetings and contacts have taken place during the last two months between CTM, CINESI and the Energy Department of the Regional Government. The last meeting, which was held in mid-May, it is considered very important since it implies an active participation and involvement of the Regional Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy in the BIOSIRE project. The objective of this verbal agreement is to join forces in order to get a successful implementation of the local strategy. Thus, and from now on, a new local stakeholder will be a permanent member of the local working group. |
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Merger between local oil collection enterprises
17. April 2009
This year began with a merger between the two most important used oil collection enterprises in Mallorca. These companies are Genoli Balear and Ecorecycling. Up to now, the local market for oil recycling has been characterized by the fragmentation of the sector, having a strong competence between companies. Thus, this merger is very significant since only one private entity will cover almost the whole current collection of used oil in the island and, therefore, the collection process is expected to be higher and more efficient. |
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 Outcomes of the last Local Working Group Meeting
17. April 2009
During March 2009, third BIOSIRE Local Working Group meeting took place. Once again, relevant issues were exposed by the members. The Energy Department of the Regional Government has consolidated its participation in the LWG. Among the issues discussed, the most interesting thing was the organization of the first local Workshop. The local workshop will be held between 20-24th of June, and it will be attended by different key actors from both demand and supply side. The aim of this event is to discuss a realistic strategy for designing a market transformation plan, which will be implemented by next autumn through the project. |
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 Technical problems in a local biodiesel plant
17. April 2009
The technological equipment installed by GEN (biodiesel plant), two years ago, was not able to guarantee a certified production according to European standards of quality (EN 14214- international standard that describes the minimum requirements for biodiesel). This situation has forced GEN to stop the production for a short period of time although it is expected for the production to start again very soon. The plant has a production capacity of about 35 million tonnes. Due to not only technical problems but also barriers in the implementation of current legislation (by law, gas stations must incorporate a 3,4% of biodiesel in 2009), during the course of this year, the plant has planned to produce around 8 million tonnes. In addition, GEN has recently signed an agreement with the Balearic Islands Transport Business Federation in order to establish biodiesel as a real alternative fuel.
(source of the image: www.biodieselspain.com) |
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