COFREEN
Concepts for using reed biomass as local bioenergy and building material
- Thematic cluster:
- Green energy
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 1. Safe and healthy environment
- Direction of support:
- Supporting sustainable spatial planning and environmental management
- Duration:
- May 2010 - Aug 2013 (3 years, 4 months)
- Total funding:
- 1 136 350 €
- ERDF funding:
- 904 497 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Improving the access to, and the efficiency and security of the energy markets
- Website:
- http://www.cofreen.eu
Development idea
It is recognised that the use of reed as a renewable biomaterial is almost negligible in the northern countries. The practical solutions for cost-effective and sustainable use of reed as a local renewable energy source have often not been adopted.
Aim of the project
The COFREEN project created concepts for using reed biomass as a bioenergy source and assisted Southern Finland, Estonia and Latvia in the sustainable management of coastal reed beds, thus providing several benefits for both the local communities and nature.
Main project activities
Three model areas were selected in Southern Finland, Estonia and Latvia, where partners developed the most cost-efficient ways to harvest, pre-process, transport and process the reed into energy. Furthermore, the partners tested the usability of reed for construction and insulation purposes in laboratory circumstances and in small-scale model constructions. The knowledge gained from these tests has allowed the project to design concepts for reed energy and construction use. Other activities included promoting reed-entrepreneurship among local people by creating business models as well as the development of a bioenergy curriculum for educational institutes.
Partners
Turku University of Applied Sciences
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 315 000 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 105 000 €
Tallinn University of Technology
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 110 500 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 19 500 €
State Ltd
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 104 643 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 18 466 €
Riga Technical University
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 118 354 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 20 887 €
Peimari group for further Education and Training, Livia; Countryside College
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 90 000 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 30 000 €
Estonian University of Life Sciences
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lõuna – Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 110 500 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 19 500 €
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Southwest Finland
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 55 500 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 18 500 €
Results
Guidebook of Reed Business
The guidebook offers visions for a wide range of reed utilization possibilities and preconditions.
The book introduces different kinds of processess, solutions and opportunities related to the use and protection of reed beds, reed as a building material, reed as a renewable energy source and reed business.
Film on the concepts for using reed biomass
The film "Reed - for Bioenergy and Construction" shows practical examples of cost effective and sustainable use of reed in Latvia, Estonia and Finland.
Picture book on using reed for bioenergy and construction
The book presents the progress and results of the Cofreen project.
A cluster of specialists from three countries – Finland, Estonia and Latvia – assessed the economic effectiveness and possible technologies of the use of reed both by recalling ancient, already known solutions and developing new ones.
Reed for bioenergy and construction(ENG, EST, LAT, FIN);
Reed to energy - curricula
The curricula pilot was developed during the project and it can serve as a complementary training for engineers.
The course introduces the basis of development of reed resources, energy technologies, using options and effectiveness, indicators, the facilities and the working principles of them to the students and specialists.
Reed to energy - curricula (ENG, EST)
Publication about reed as a building material
The publication compiles the experiences of the project on how to use reed as a building material.
Publication on reed collection techniques
The publication introduces different kinds of techniques for collecting reed.
Korret poikki ja pinoon - Järviruoko ja sen korjuutoiminnan edellytykset Suomessa (FIN)
Publication on the use and protection of reed beds
The book introduces different kinds of processes, solutions and opportunities related to the use and protection of reed beds, reed as a building, insulation and handcraft material as well as reed as a renewable energy source.
