Project manager: Aija Zučika, phone +37167215068



Project "COFREEN - Concepts for using reed biomass as local bioenergy and building material" is implemented in collaboration with partners from Finland and Estonia.

Lead partner of the project is Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland), other partners - Tallinn University of Technology and Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia) and State Ltd. "Vides projekti" (Latvia).

The main objective of the COFREEN project is to create local solutions to utilize reed biomass in fuel and construction material production, thus improving the ecological and economical sustainability in communities. The best and most cost-efficient ways to harvest, pre-process, transport and process the reed to energy are developed in three different model areas in Southern Finland, Estonia and Latvia, producing three different reed utilization concepts. Reed used as an insulating material for buildings are developed in Finland and Estonia. Creating a management plan for the utilization of reed beds in these areas assures the optimal and sustainable utilization of reed. Other goals are to encourage local people to reed-entrepreneurship by creating business models, enhancing the implementation of harvesting subsidy for reed and develop a bioenergy curriculum for educational institutes.

The long term objective is to increase the use of reed as a local renewable bioenergy and construction material source in the whole programme area. The various models created during this project in Finland, Estonia and Latvia will be presented as practical examples. The know-how gathered during this project is shared between the partners and other Central Baltic programme area countries.

All partners and activities are located in the respective sub-programme area in Southern Finland, Estonia and Latvia. Two of partners and one pilot case in Estonia are located in adjacent areas. Model developments are carried out in Kaarina (Finland), Muhu and Värska (Estonia) and Lake Pape (Latvia). Experiments concerning developments of the models are carried out in different places in the project area e.g. Sipoo, Lihula, Salo, and during the implementation the project looks for other suitable targets to these activities. This project will focus on small villages and communities in the target area, but influence in future will extend along all provinces where biomass is available. Results from this project benefits all municipalities in every project country where reed is close enough to be used as a local biomaterial.

Planned results of the project are:
- Three concepts for using reed as a local energy source.
- Model for using reed as construction and insulating material.
- Proved and optimal reed harvesting chains for biogas plant and boiler houses.
- Increases in energy self-sufficiency in pilot areas.
- Results from processing reed used for insulating materials.
- Proposal for reed harvesting subsidy based on reed as bioenergy plant.
- Bioenergy curriculum for educational institutes.
- Business training where local energy creates employment in local businesses.

The knowledge and information gathered in the project will be shared with educational institutions, local entrepreneurs and actors, experts, general public with the help of publications, seminars, curriculums, TV-films, courses and articles.

Project COFREEN is part-financed by Central Baltic INTERREG IV A programme 2007 – 2013.


PROJECT RESULTS

Summary of the study "Common reed biomass opportunities for production of biofuel pellets and briquettes"

Summary of the study "The development of technology chain for reed usage for biogas and organic fertilizers production in Lake Pape area"

Summury of the study "Analysis of Reed-Covered Surface and of Potential Biomass in Latvia’s Lakes"