Biogas as a descarbonisation process in the public transport system

• Among the challenges presented in this new edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards is “Biogas as a descarbonisation process in the public transport system”

With this new edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, the objective is to find the best startup with innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition, with a project or idea that contributes to energy decarbonisation in the public transport system. We are looking for solutions capable of improving the environmental efficiency of the fleet of urban buses, tourist buses, and other city transport that are based on the use of clean, green, and renewable energies, such as biogas or biomethane, and the production and use of biofuels.

The challenge proposal is crucial in order to achieve the objectives of the European Green Pact, the European Commission’s phase-out plan for fossil fuels (gas, oil, and coal), RePowerEU, since transport is the sector that consumes the most energy in Spain (reaching 40% of the national total). This challenge is therefore aimed at accelerating the development of renewable energies, promoting circularity and commiting to a more resilient energy system.

The three challenges that make up the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards were launched during the Transfiere forum, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The awards ceremony of this call will be held in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September 2023, in FYCMA. This edition seeks to promote urban transformation, with a strong focus on smart and sustainable mobility, which is the added value of these awards. Likewise, these innovative startups identifies will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe to qualify for grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Regarding biogas as renewable energy, a Finnova project that is already using it is LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, which uses the same methodology as Startup Europe and the public-private partnership. Using digital tools for the control and automation of wastewater treatment plant digesters, it offers a sustainable alternative for organic waste in landfills to be converted into biogas.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.