To face the external energy dependence of Europe and in order to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), the European Union (EU) and its Member-States have adopted strategies to raise the level of energy efficiency and environment effectiveness. Those strategies are driving forces to the diversification of energy sources, to increase the use of endogenous energy resources and the renewables share on energy consumption, namely electricity, contributing at the same time to reduce the external dependence on fossil fuels, GHG emissions and to encourage a more sustainable development.
Expected environmental benefits can result from biomass use, namely on reducing GHG emissions, regarding multiple energy applications like electricity, heat production and use in transports. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge with respect to an integrated assessment of the environmental impacts related to the biomass to energy chain, from the biomass production to its final use as fuel in combustion processes.
Some studies suggest that the increase use of biomass to produce energy will induce changes in land use as well as on the pollutants released to the atmosphere. There is also a misunderstanding about the impacts of the biomass to energy chain on air quality, due to land use changes, the emissions of classical pollutants from production and conversion processes and from transports. In this sense, BIOGAIR project intends to assessment biomass to energy chain impacts on air quality and climate change in Portugal, till 2030.

CESAM members on this project

Maria Alexandra Castelo Sobral Monteiro
Pos-Doc Researcher

Ana Isabel Miranda
Researcher

Carlos Borrego
Researcher

PhD Student

Luís Tarelho
Researcher

Myriam Nunes Lopes
Coordinator

Sandra Isabel Moreira Rafael
Fellowship