Agricultural by-products, that is primary residue, industrial by-products and animal manure, are an important source of nutrients and carbon for maintaining soil quality and crop production but can also be valorised through treatment pathways such as fermentation, incineration or a combination of these called bio-refinery. Here, we provide an overview of opportunity to reduce environmental impact of valorising agricultural by-products. We estimate the available by-products in Northwestern Europe as a case study and the maximum and realistic greenhouse gas reduction potentials. Availability, collectability, the original use and environmental impact including land use changes, soil carbon sequestration and pollution swapping are discussed as critical factors when valorising agricultural by-products.
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This paper focuses on utilizing the Celciushouse as an escape room in energy education. In a broader context, it also addresses the incorporation of serious gaming in education. The project is part of COVE SEED. SEED - Sustainable Energy Education, aims to develop innovative vocational education and training, working with experts from five different European regions to phase out fossil fuels and contributing to Europe becoming a fossil free energy continent. SEED is a CoVE (Centres of Vocational Excellence) programme. CoVE’s are part of the Erasmus+ program aiming to establish transnational platforms on, among others, regional development, innovation and inclusion. SEED combines education on various international levels including level 2,3,4, and 6. At this moment, the project ESCAPEROOM IN ENERGY EDUCATION is still in its initial phase. With this paper and the accompanying workshop, we aim to gather insights from other international regions involved in the SEED project collaboration. The acceleration of technological developments means that what is learned today may be outdated tomorrow. Therefore, it is essential for educational institutions to focus on developing general skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to quickly absorb new information. The market demands professionals with modern knowledge and skills. Techniques taught to students today may become outdated tomorrow. Therefore, the ability to learn how to learn is becoming increasingly crucial. Analytical and research skills are therefore gaining importance. It is also essential for students to utilize various learning methods. Not just learning from books but particularly learning from practical experience. Practice-oriented learning, where students gain direct experience in real situations, not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also develops practical skills that are valuable in the job market. To tackle these problems, serious gaming or the establishment of escape rooms can be a solution.
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VHL University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is a sustainable University of AppliedSciences that trains students to be ambitious, innovative professionals andcarries out applied research to make a significant contribution to asustainable world. Together with partners from the field, they contribute to innovative and sustainable developments through research and knowledge valorisation. Their focus is on circular agriculture, water, healthy food & nutrition, soil and biodiversity – themes that are developed within research lines in the variousapplied research groups. These themes address the challenges that are part ofthe international sustainability agenda for 2030: the sustainable developmentgoals (SDGs). This booklet contains fascinating and representative examplesof projects – completed or ongoing, from home and abroad – that are linked tothe SDGs. The project results contribute not only to the SDGs but to their teaching as well.
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The seaweed aquaculture sector, aimed at cultivation of macroalgal biomass to be converted into commercial applications, can be placed within a sustainable and circular economy framework. This bio-based sector has the potential to aid the European Union meet multiple EU Bioeconomy Strategy, EU Green Deal and Blue Growth Strategy objectives. Seaweeds play a crucial ecological role within the marine environment and provide several ecosystem services, from the take up of excess nutrients from surrounding seawater to oxygen production and potentially carbon sequestration. Sea lettuce, Ulva spp., is a green seaweed, growing wild in the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. Sea lettuce has a high nutritional value and is a promising source for food, animal feed, cosmetics and more. Sea lettuce, when produced in controlled conditions like aquaculture, can supplement our diet with healthy and safe proteins, fibres and vitamins. However, at this moment, Sea lettuce is hardly exploited as resource because of its unfamiliarity but also lack of knowledge about its growth cycle, its interaction with microbiota and eventually, possible applications. Even, it is unknown which Ulva species are available for aquaculture (algaculture) and how these species can contribute to a sustainable aquaculture biomass production. The AQULVA project aims to investigate which Ulva species are available in the North Sea and Wadden Sea which can be utilised in onshore aquaculture production. Modern genomic, microbiomic and metabolomic profiling techniques alongside ecophysiological production research must reveal suitable Ulva selections with high nutritional value for sustainable onshore biomass production. Selected Ulva spp lines will be used for production of healthy and safe foods, anti-aging cosmetics and added value animal feed supplements for dairy farming. This applied research is in cooperation with a network of SME’s, Research Institutes and Universities of Applied Science and is liaised with EU initiatives like the EU-COST action “SeaWheat”.
Green methanol is emerging as a key player in sustainable biotech, offering a renewable alternative to fossil fuels or sugar based feedstocks. Although methanol has long been considered a promising material for bioproduction, using it on industrial scale has been challenging due to its high oxygen demands, making the process expensive and inefficient. This project focuses on developing a sustainable, but more economical feasible way to produce biochemicals, like Single Cell Protein (SCP). The innovative solution proposed by FeedstocksUnited (FSU) is to use paraformaldehyde, a compound derived from renewable methanol, as feedstock, which requires much less oxygen during fermentation. This new method has already shown promising results in the lab, where it was tested with microorganisms that can use formaldehyde (released from paraformaldehyde) as a source of carbon and energy. FSU’s approach has the potential to significantly reduce the costs and environmental impacts associated with large-scale bioproduction. The process can be managed more efficiently than methods using methanol, since the production of paraformaldehyde from formaldehyde is tunable. This process control will lead to better yields and reduced energy and feedstock consumption. The HAN BioCentre, with its advanced research facilities and experienced team, will conduct further research to optimize this method for industrial applications. This includes studying how organisms metabolize formaldehyde and improving the process through continuous fermentation. The research also supports educational goals by involving students in cutting-edge biotechnological work. Ultimately, the project aims to provide a solid proof-of-concept that can be scaled up to industrial levels, contributing to a more sustainable bioeconomy.
