Rhine-Alpine News
19.10.2023
Poseidon Project – Synthetic Methanol to decarbonise european shipping
Symbolic picture by Geralt on Pixabay
POSEIDON, a Horizon Europe project that began on September 1, 2023, focuses on the development and use of synthetic methanol (e-methanol) as a fuel in ships. In accordance with the REPowerEU strategy, POSEIDON will contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, hence reducing the EU’s exposure to economic and political pressures. The project’s goal is to introduce synthetic methanol as a fuel in EU ports, as well as related essential technologies such as e-methanol production plants and marine engines.
The Steinbeis Europa Zentrum assisted the coordinator, the European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER) from Karlsruhe, throughout the application procedure and is now a project partner. POSEIDON is a 48-month project supported by the EU with around 9.7 million euros.
To estimate the economic worth of different scenarios and identify potential impediments and optimisation potential, detailed technical, economic, environmental, and social assessments will be carried out. Local roadmaps and a replication tool for feasibility testing the future use of e-methanol in EU ports will be developed to promote market acceptance and prepare the way for future usage of e-methanol in the EU, so that external EU stakeholders can benefit from POSEIDON outcomes.
JRC: European Drought Risk Atlas Published
Symbolic picture by ShafinProtic on Pixabay
The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service published a comprehensive study as an effort to better estimate, map and understand drought risks in the EU.
This Atlas provides insight into hotspots of drought risk in the EU as well as an outlook to potential developments in climate in these regions.
It attempts to show the influences of drought on different systems, such as agriculture, energy, freshwater and terrestrial systems, and public water supply.
It also outlines how risk may change according to various projected climate changes.
Please click on the link below to view the JRC’s full study.
Source:
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC135215
Examining the First Franco-German Forum retrospectively
Symbolic picture by Snowmen on Pixabay
The Metz Eurometropole hosted the inaugural Franco-German meeting on Wednesday, October 4, at the Espace Europa-Courcelles in Montigny-lés-Metz.
The event was opened by Jean-Luc Bohl, the mayor of Montigny-lés-Metz. The waterways-themed symposium, which was attended by French and German officials, discussed, among other things, the economic issues posed to waterways. It was thus a unique opportunity for Franco-German exchanges, with guests including Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, Sebastian Thul, Secretary of State for Environment and Mobility in Saarland, and the mayors of Worms and Siegen in Germany, as well as the Development Director of the Port of Duisburg, the world’s leading river port.
The goal was to raise awareness of the numerous challenges and importance of river transport between the North Sea and the Mediterranean, as well as the ramifications of this mode of transportation for municipalities that are passed by a waterway. All of this took the shape of round tables, with time after each portion for conversation between the public and the speakers.
Source(in French):