KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence
for Renewable Resources
KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources
Why Renewable Resources?
The constantly growing world population is facing its
probably greatest challenge: Mankind needs not only
sufficient food and drinking water but energy in the form
of heat, electricity and fuels. Both of them – food and
energy – are preconditions for survival, life, progress and
prosperity.
Supplies will become more difficult because we are
slowly running out of our present raw materials base. In
addition to that, climate change and energy transformation
are also forcing us to look for secure and climate-friendly
alternatives.
The chemical industry also needs new raw materials
in the near future in order to replace mineral oil – which
is becoming more and more expensive – as the base of
many products (from mobile phones, plastic packagings
and textiles to medicine).
Renewable resources from agriculture and forestry
have got a large potential. They have been tried and tested
for centuries. Wood, for example, has got a long tradition
as fuel and building material. Fibres have long been used
for clothes and as insulating material. It was not before the
Industrial Revolution that these products have lost their
importance. Now it is up to us to find new possible uses
and to further develop old ones. As a base material for
products, i.e. for industrial use, or as an energy source
in solid, fluid or gaseous condition – the possibilities of
renewable resources are nearly unlimited. In the field of
renewable energies in Germany, biomass is the most
important today, amounting to a share of about 60 per cent.
Our Centre
Recognising this trend early, Bavaria has already begun
research in the field of renewable resources in the 1970ies.
In the following decades, these activities were further
developed in all Bavaria and were finally focused in the
KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources
by the Bavarian Government in Straubing in 2001. Three
independent institutions closely cooperate: the Straubing
Centre of Science (WZS), the Technology and Support
Centre (TFZ) and the Central Agricultural Raw Material
Marketing and Energy Network (C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.). Each
of these three pillars has got different tasks and different
key areas of activity.
As a result of the close vicinity and cooperation of
these three pillars, new national and international projects
and partnerships are constantly being implemented.
Comprehensive knowledge in the complete range of
renewable resources enables the KoNaRo to accompany
all stages from the plant and its agricultural aspects down
to the marketing of the finished product. The experts are
not only involved in the research, development and testing
of new technologies and products but also in market
KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources
Research, Support and Use of
Renewable Resources
Centre of Excellence
for Renewable Resources
Research and Teaching in the
following Fields
►► Energy technology
►► Power grid integration
►► Geothermal energy systems
►► Chemistry of biogenic resources
►► Biogenic polymers
►► Organic and analytical chemistry of biogenic resources
►► Marketing and management of biogenic resources
►► Business economics of biogenic resources
►► Regenerative energy systems
►► Bioinformatics
►► Micro reactor systems
Funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and
Cultural Affairs, Sciences and the Arts
Applied Research in the
following Fields
►► Renewable resources crops and material cycles
►► Solid biofuels
►► Liquid biofuels, biolubricants and process materials
Project Funding
►► Energy from biomass: Biomass heating plants
►► Research, development and demonstration
Knowledge Transfer
►► Seminars
►► Advice
►► Internet
Funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Food,
Agriculture and Forestry
Coordination Centre for Renewable Resources,
Renewable Energies and
sustainable Use of Resources
►► Consulting, information transfer and public relations
►► Project assessment, supervising and evaluation
►► Networking with science and practice
►► Analysis and surveys for producers, users, research and politics
►► Participation in all important organizations and boards
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. is a non-profit association
analysis and market development. Moreover, consumers
can get advice, new projects are assessed and funding
programmes are implemented. All disciplines relevant for
research and implementation in the field of renewable
resources are consolidated here.
The work of the KoNaRo is accompanied by a
Coordination Council, which is composed of representatives
from science, industry, economy and local politics.
Facts and Figures
►► Staff: approx. 250
►► Public investment: 41.2 million Euros
►► Total area: 25,300 m² (provided by the City of Straubing)
►► Main usable area: 11,204 m²
►► Heat supply: biomass plant 1.3 MW
(as in 2015)
Contact
KoNaRo – Kompetenzzentrum für
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany
Phone: +49 9421 300-001
www.konaro.de
Straubing Centre of Science (WZS)
Tasks and Objectives
The Straubing Centre of Science does basic research
and monitors technological developments on renewable
resources. The focus is both on their use for industry, above
all in the chemical and plastics processing industries,
and on their use for energy. Another field of activity is
the development of strategies for the sustainable and
environment-friendly supply of raw materials. In addition
to that, product marketing on the basis of renewable
resources and its economy are analysed. Thus, the
decision-makers in politics and administration and the
producers and manufacturers of raw materials are to be
supported in order to use more renewable resources in a
sustainable way.
Of course, the academic training of young scientists is
also part of our responsibilities. This takes place in the form
of bachelor, master and doctoral theses. An independent
master course for renewable resources has been running
since 2008 now in cooperation with the University of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. In 2013,
this offer was rounded off by a bachelor course of the
same name. Therefore, it is possible to complete both a
bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Straubing. A particular
strength of the Centre of Science is its intersectoral and
interdisciplinary working method with representatives of
different disciplines closely cooperating. This includes
life, engineering, ecological and economic sciences – a
cooperation in research and teaching in order to cope
with problems from the molecule up to the marketing of
renewable resources.
Straubing Centre of Science (WZS)
Science for a Sustainable Future
Our Members
Expertise and Research Fields
The Centre of Science was originally founded by the
Technische Universität München, and the WeihenstephanTriesdorf University of Applied Sciences. Meanwhile,
further universities have been won as partners, among
them the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, the
Universität Regensburg, the Ostbayerische Technische
Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg, and the University of
Applied Sciences Landshut.
Chairs and Fields of Activity
Chair of Marketing and Management of Biogenic
Resources
Chair of Organic and Analytical Chemistry
Chair of Business Economics of Biogenic Resources
Chair of Bioinformatics
Chair of Energy Technology
Chair of Environmental Policy and Resource Economics
TECHNISCHE
HOCHSCHULE
DEGGENDORF
Associate Professorship of Regenerative Energy
Systems
Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources
Chair of Biogenic Polymers
Chair of Biochemical Process Engineering
Chair of Composite Materials
Chair of Industrial Microbiology
►► Bio-inspired materials synthesis
►► Biogenic polymers
►► Materials characterisation
►► Consumer behaviour towards biomass-based products
►► Development of value chains for biomass-based products
►► Economic efficiency of products and procedures based on biomass products
►► Life cycle assessment and resource efficiency of biomass-based products and procedures
►► Chemical analysis and structural determination of secondary plant substances
►► Organic synthesis with homogeneous catalysis
►► Biocatalysis and fermentation
►► New procedures and products for the change of raw material in the chemical industry
►► Disintegration of biomass
►► Analytics
►► Geothermal energy
Straubing Branch
Chair of Geothermal Energy
Systems
Chair of Power Grid
Integration
Chair of Organic Chemistry
and Mirco Reactor Systems
Chair of Thermal Engineering
Chair of Energy Storage and Distribution
Facts and Figures
►► Eleven professorships at the Straubing Centre of Science
►► Staff: approx. 110
►► Main useable area: approx. 5,100 m²
►► Expansion in progress until 2020:
15professorships, staff approx. 200,
useful area approx. 10,000 m²
(as in 2015)
Contact
Wissenschaftszentrum Straubing
(Straubing Centre of Science)
Schulgasse 16, 94315 Straubing, Germany
Phone : +49 9421 187-105, Fax: +49 9421 187-130
www.wz-straubing.de, [email protected]
Technology and Support Centre (TFZ)
Renewable Resources Crops and Material Cycles
The section of renewable resources crops and material
cycles is one of three research sections of the Technology
and Support Centre. It is about applied research on new
energy and non-food crops and their possible uses. New
and rediscovered types of crops are constantly being
tested in field trial plots and under glass for their longterm yield performance and thus their suitability for local
conditions. Promising crops are included into sustainable
cultivation systems and usages in order to close the
internal and external cycles of materials. Necessary quality
requirements to biomass are defined and communicated
to the practice in the form of cultivation information and
advice on production engineering.
Solid Biofuels
Applied research and development for all procedures
of the provision and use of solid biofuels has been part of
our expertise for more than 30 years. Our focal points are
supply and logistic chains for wood fuels and herbaceous
materials, but also research on testing and specification
of fuel quality, research on standardization and on quality
control. Particular emphasis is placed on procedures for
the thermal transformation of energy. In our combustion
test stands for heating appliances up to 500 kW thermal
power output, the interrelation between fuel type/quality
and combustion technology with respect to performance
and especially to pollutant emission is analysed. Modern
emissions monitoring technology helps to determine
essential exhaust gas components and particle emissions.
​
Liquid Biofuels, Biolubricants and Process
Materials
The entire process chain – from the production, quality
determination and standardisation of biofuels to the
performance and emission characteristics of engines
using biofuels – has been subject to the research of the
Technology and Support Centre for more than 25 years.
Established and novel biofuels are analysed, improved
and ecologically assessed. At the tractor test stand, the
power output, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions
of engines suitable for running on vegetable oil fuel are
determined. Accompanying field tests give indications of
their practical suitability. Finally, the use of liquid biomass,
especially vegetable oils as lubricants or components of
biodegradable covering material, is tested.
Technology and Support Centre (TFZ)
Applied Research and Support
for Renewable Resources
Tasks of the Technology and Support Centre
The Technology and Support Centre (TFZ) is an
institution of applied research in the field of renewable
resources. Being under the direct responsibility of the
Bavarian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, it
is at the same time the awarding authority for project
funding in Bavaria. Its main tasks are:
Advice and Consulting
Counselling is an important aspect in terms of the
great economic and social challenges related to the
implementation of the energy transition in rural areas.
Individualized and custom-tailored solutions must be
found and gain acceptance by the public. Hence, the
consulting project “LandSchafftEnergie” (Land creates
Energy) provides ideal conditions. Already existing staff
for consulting, monitoring and research was enhanced
by 53 new colleagues. The joint project of the Bavarian
State Ministries of Food, Agriculture and Forestry and
of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology
is coordinated at the TFZ. It links expertise, structures
technical information and presents it to the general public.
►►
►►
Development and optimisation of the cultivation systems for energy and non-food crops
Development, testing and optimisation of the technical procedures for the supply, quality control and use of
►► Solid biofuels
►► Liquid biofuels, biolubricants and process materials
►► Knowledge and technology transfer and expert advice for agriculture, industry, administration and politics
►► Demonstration, exhibition and training
►► Approval of funding measures for the energetic and industrial use of biomass
Support
The use of renewable resources for energy and for
industry is often uncompetitive as compared to fossil
fuels. The Free State of Bavaria provides funding within
the overall concept “Renewable Resources in Bavaria”,
supporting projects for the energetic and industrial use of
biomass. These funding programmes are monitored and
implemented by the “Support Centre for Biomass” of the
Technology and Support Centre. The main tasks of the
“Support Centre for Biomass” are the processing and
approval of submitted applications and the disbursement
of grants.
Contact
Technologie- und Förderzentrum
(Technology and Support Centre)
Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany
Phone: +49 9421 300-210, Fax: +49 9421 300-211
www.tfz.bayern.de, [email protected]
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.
Who We Are
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., the Central Agricultural Raw Material
Marketing and Energy Network (Registered Association),
was founded in 1992 as the coordination centre for
renewable resources in Bavaria.
Within a few years C.A.R.M.E.N. has become one of
Germany’s most sought-after contact points for information
on the industrial and energetic use of biomass. Target
groups are authorities, science, economy, agriculture and
consumers.
As a registered association with more than 70 members
from the whole value chain of renewable resources and
the energy sector, C.A.R.M.E.N. is now also active in the
fields of wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy,
hydropower as well as energy and resource saving.
C.A.R.M.E.N. mediates between science and practice by
communicating research and development needs as well
as initiating and supporting ecologically and economically
reasonable demonstration projects. C.A.R.M.E.N. creates
positive framework conditions for the development of
renewable resources and renewable energies by preparing
analysis for national and state institutions, by participating
in important associations and bodies and by a quarterly
business survey.
C.A.R.M.E.N. offers a wide range of information services:
►►
►►
A comprehensive website with business directories, price indices for solid and liquid biofuels, event documentations and current information
Display material and trade fair participations (among others the travelling exhibition “Within the Cycle of Nature – Natural Materials for a Modern Society”)
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.
Renewable Resources – High-Tech from Nature
Tasks of C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.
Cycle of Carbon and Materials
Ashes
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. collects and evaluates information,
making the knowledge gained therefrom available for all
groups of users. Additionally, C.A.R.M.E.N. offers expert
opinions for authorities, institutions and enterprises,
initiates and coordinates research, development as well
as demonstration projects, and supports producers,
users, science and politics by implementing current
analysis.
Heat/
Electricity
►► Publication of press releases, conference proceedings, yearbooks and branch magazines
►► Expert and information lectures
►► Organisation of more than 30 public lecture events per year
►► Neutral consulting free of charge for all interest groups
C.A.R.M.E.N. assesses and monitors the projects
funded by the Free State of Bavaria in the framework
of the overall concept for renewable resources. The
knowledge gained from the evaluation of these projects is
integrated into C.A.R.M.E.N.’s advisory activities and used
for the adaptation of funding programmes. Other fields of
C.A.R.M.E.N.’s assessment activity are screenings on the
possible uses of regenerative energies for municipalities,
expert opinions on different questions concerning the
Renewable Energies Act (EEG), technical expert opinions
and financing assessments for credit institutions.
Initiated by the Bavarian State Government as a nonprofit organization, C.A.R.M.E.N. is the nodal point in the
network for renewable resources, renewable energies and
sustainable utilization of resources.
Contact
C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.
Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany
Phone: +49 9421 960-300, Fax: +49 9421 960-333
www.carmen-ev.de, [email protected]
Training and Exhibition Centre (SAZ)
A Wide Range of Information
The KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable
Resources offers a wide range of information for the
general public. The Training and Exhibition Centre
features ideal conditions: Education and training events,
workshops and conferences for up to 200 people can
take place in the large lecture hall. Regular seminars and
lecture programmes are organised by the three institutions
of the KoNaRo.
Moreover, there are two exhibitions in the Training and
Exhibition Centre which are open to the public on fixed
dates:
►►
►►
The 300 m² exhibition “Renewable Resources
– from Plant to Utilization” gives a comprehensive
picture of crops, products and technologies in the
field of biomass. Whether toys from maize starch,
fine particular air filters for wood stoves, or tractors
running on rapeseed oil – no question on renewable
resources remains unanswered here. The variety
of information reaches from the production process
of wood pellets and the cultivation of plants such
as miscanthus or sweet sorghum to biodegradable
plastics.
In the exhibition “Biomass Heating Systems” at
the Training and Exhibition Centre, about 100
different heating systems (mainly for wood logs,
wood chips and wood pellets) by approximately 50
manufacturers can be seen. In regular seminars,
additional information is provided on what to observe
when heating with renewable resources.
Detailed information on the events and opening hours
of both exhibitions can be found on the internet at:
www.tfz.bayern.de and www.carmen-ev.de.
Our Guests
Several thousands of visitors are attracted by the
events at the Training and Exhibition Centre every year
– apart from politicians, farmers and pupils, also many
scientists and experts from all over the world. Guests
from Australia, Angola, South Africa, Siberia or Canada
have already visited the Training and Exhibition Centre
to get information on the importance of renewable
resources in Germany.
Straubing – Region of Renewable Raw Materials
Regional Cooperations
Network with a Brand and a Profile
The KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable
Resources has been gaining importance beyond state
and national borders. At the same time, this institution
strengthens the region by promoting the settlement of
new, interesting institutions and enterprises in the field of
renewable resources. So, the research and development
of renewable resources offers promising perspectives
and enormous chances for the whole region of StraubingBogen and is therefore highly supported by the city and
the county. The region of Straubing-Bogen distinguishes
itself from others in the field of the supply, characterisation
and preparation of renewable resources, positioning itself
in internal and external marketing under the umbrella
brand “Straubing –Region of Renewable Raw Materials”.
The BioCampus Straubing GmbH as a kindred partner of
the KoNaRo offers ideal start-up conditions for enterprises
in the field of renewable resources.
The County of Straubing-Bogen was awarded with the
prize “Region of Bioenergy” in the competition of bioenergy
regions of the German Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Consumer Protection in 2009. Straubing also qualified for
follow-up funding. The KoNaRo is cooperating with the
Bioenergy Region Straubing-Bogen in various projects.
Straubing Branch
Further partners of the KoNaRo are among others the
Hochschulstadt Straubing e. V. - Verein zur Förderung von
Wissenschaft und Forschung im Kompetenzzentrum für
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (University Town of Straubing
(Registered Association) – Association for the Support
of Science and Research in the Centre of Excellence for
Renewable Resources), the ForschungsNetzwerk Biogene
Kraftstoffe, ForNeBiK (Research Network for liquid and
gaseous Biofuels) and the Stiftung Nachwachsende
Rohstoffe (Foundation for Renewable Resources).
Moreover, the consulting project LandSchafftEnergie
(Land Creates Energy) and a branch of the Fraunhofer
IGB, are also established in Straubing, forming an ideal
network with the KoNaRo.
Being locally integrated, the KoNaRo is thus an essential
part of a growing network in the Region of Renewable Raw
Materials. Gaining in national and international importance,
this network has sound cooperation relations but is always
open to new partners.
LandSchaEnergie
Imprint
All rights are reserved by the KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources.
Exception: Rights to the pictures of K. Fuchs, G. Glötzl, H. Stolz, A. Weigel
Editor: KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources
Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany
Dr. Bernhard Widmann (Technology and Support Centre)
Edmund Langer (C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.)
Prof. Dr. Klaus Menrad (Straubing Centre of Science)
Editorial Staff: Uli Eidenschink, Sabine Gmeinwieser, Dr. Norbert Fröhlich, Sebastian Kilburg, Annette Plank, Christian Schröter
Published by the KoNaRo – Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources
Year of Publication: 2015
Photographs: K. Fuchs, G. Glötzl, H. Stolz, A. Weigel, WZS, TFZ, C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.