Biomethane is expected to contribute towards the decarbonisation of the EU energy system as a renewable gas. Its contribution strongly depends on the market & policy environment & on societal acceptance. Member State policies are often inadequate and not tailored to market needs. The objective of GreenMeUp is facilitating the wider market uptake of biomethane in the European energy and transport sectors by strengthening the market in countries with slow development rates. The work is structured in 6 WP. In WP1 framework conditions and market dynamics for bioCH4 will be analysed in the top 10 advanced European countries and in selected 5 MI countries. The analysis will address all production routes, feedstocks and end-uses. The technological developments for bioCH4 production and use, and feedstock availability will be addressed. Similar work will be carried out at national level for 7 selected European target countries (Greece, Spain, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, and a region in Danube) with low developments in WP2. As a result, comprehensive overviews of the existing market situation and future market trends in Europe and in each of the selected countries will be produced. In WP3, stakeholders engagement and societal acceptance will be assured, with the involvement of relevant actors representing all stages of the bioCH4 value chains through science-based evidence and tools. In WP4, market uptake policy measures and financial frameworks will be designed, that will allow the bioCH4 markets to operate efficiently in the advanced and target countries where results could be replicated. The interaction of work from all WPs will steer the development of more informed and targeted policies in the target countries and support them in building a robust, incentive-compatible bioCH4 market, in their final energy consumption by 2030 and beyond. In WP5, dissemination & communication will target all key policy &decision makers & market actors. WP6 aims at management.

The Icarus consortium has identified critical technology steps that at present limit the wider deployment of three Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production routes, namely: biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction to SAF, isobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass to SAF and synthetic Fischer-Tropsh from biomass gasification to SAF. These three value chains have been strategically selected by Icarus since they are close to market deployment and are needed to meet European and international SAF deployment targets. Icarus aims to improve them with innovative solutions while at the same time addressing the whole value chain. Novel biomass production concepts such as sequential cropping and mix cropping are also addressed aiming to ensure increased sustainable biomass availability for SAF production. Along the complete value chain techno-economic, environmental, and social assessments will be carried out. Icarus has a very strong international consortium of 20 reputed partners including 5 from 3 Mission Innovation Countries (MIC) Canada, India and Brazil, who will carry out innovative research with common targets and objectives with the European ones ensuring international collaboration in this critical area. Two more partners from a 4th MIC, USA are joining research activities as members of the External Executive Advisory Board (EEAB). The Icarus results will significantly improve the cost effectiveness of SAF and therefore have global significance and reach and will facilitate scaling-up of these technologies and value chains enabling market deployment of SAF on a global scale. Guidelines, assessments, best practices and improved concepts will be used throughout the project to disseminate the results on global scale via targeted and effective dissemination and communication outreach activities to all stakeholders.