Biochar Carbon Removal
Innovation Challenge
As a leading regional energy supply company and flagship enterprise in Styria, Energie Steiermark aims to position itself as a leading decarbonization partner with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
Through our Next Incubator, we are continuously seeking companies, startups, and innovators to collaborate on developing products and services for sustainable solutions and business models.
Do you have an innovative concept that you would like to implement? Then apply now!
We are looking for concepts for the joint development and implementation of a business model in the field of "Biochar Carbon Removal":
Solutions in the area of pyrolytic or pyrogenic carbon capture and storage with the minimum goal of covering the summer load of a district heating network in Styria.
The plant's design should enable year-round operation (including summer load).
Applicants can assume the availability of implementation space at the site for plant construction.
Biomass (wood chips) is generally available at the site, but alternative sources (biomass residues, etc.) should be considered in the concept, and bonus points will be granted for this.
The innovation challenge focuses on the following aspects:
- Market-ready technologies: Concepts should identify technologies that are currently in operation in reference plants of comparable size, along with energy and mass balance details (fuel requirements, heat and electricity generation, biochar output, etc.). reference plants (of a comparable magnitude) as well as energy and mass balance (fuel requirements, heat and possibly electricity generation, biochar output, etc.).
- Degree of innovation: The overall concept shoule be innovative, with a focus on fuel flexibility and the utilization of biogenic residues.
- Scalable utilization and sales potential: Concepts should consider the potential for long-term storage and the generation of tradable CORC certificates (COXNUMX Removal Certificates). Biochar with special attention to long-term storage.
- Generation of tradables CORC certificates (CO2 Removal Certificate).
- Business models: The entire value chain, including active involvement of Energie Steiermark as implementation partner and plant operator, should be included in the proposed business models.
Concepts can be submitted by individual players or consortia and will be developed together with Energie Steiermark as part of a joint innovation partnership.
The innovation partnership is divided into different phases, and a decision will be made after each phase on whether to continue.
Phases of the innovation challenge
Submission of applications
Participate in our innovation challenge "Biochar Carbon Removal" and develop an innovative solution with scaling potential together.
Register on the Energie Steiermark procurement portal at http://e-steiermark.vemap.com and provide the required information.
The participation application must be submitted with a qualified electronic signature. If you have any questions or information about the procurement portal, please contact the helpdesk M: welcome@vemap.com T: +43 (0) 1 3157940 (Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 17:30 CET and Friday from 08:00 to 14:30 CET) is available for storage, management and analysis.
Please use the contact form on the procurement portal for any questions you may have about the organizational or content-related process of the Innovation Challenge
Attention: Registration on the procurement portal is a mandatory requirement for participation in the innovation challenge.
INITIAL REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Five applicants will be invited to present a comprehensive business model and submit an initial offer. The selection of these applicants will be made through a qualification review and selection process.
It is mandatory to have a reference project with a thermal capacity (90°C) of more than 500kW in the last five years.
Transmission of the comprehensive business model and presentation of an initial offer
The offer must include, in particular, information on the energy and mass balance of the pilot plant, detailed data on the business model (CAPEX, OPEX, revenues), as well as the visualization of the role distribution, including those potentially perceived by Energie Steiermark.
In addition, the bidders must submit an offer for the implementation of the approximately 6-month development phase (feasibility study).
Templates for detailed disclosure will be provided to the five bidders after the selection process.
Bootcamp and decision for development phase
Present your solution with a detailed concept description and present your overall concept to an internal and external expert jury.
The boot camp will take place in Graz at the end of June. Detailed information on the procedure and format will be communicated to the bidders in due time before the event.
Evaluation criteria in the boot camp:
Project implementation phases
We are looking for innovative minds with a strong motivation to further develop their business model through an innovation partnership.
Together, we aim to implement an innovative and sustainable concept.
We assure you the ownership of your existing/current business model through a confidentiality agreement. Should your concept be implemented, the implementation conditions will be negotiated separately.
