The BioResources and Technology (BRT) is a research division in the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience (FTZ) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU). The BRT is dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions through rigorous research, innovative technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Our research and innovation objectives encompass a wide array of thematic, from the determination of the real impact of small biogas plants (both in developing and developed countries) on the environment, climate change and society to bioresources technologies, including bioenergy, environmental aspects, food security, waste management, biotechnologies and more.
The global shift towards renewable energy and sustainable practices has reinforced the importance of holistic approaches to resource management. This underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration across these disciplines, enhancing our ability to address complex sustainability challenges. Interdisciplinary research is at the
core of the BRT.
Our team comprises environmental science, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences expertise.
The BRT is committed to applying our research findings to real-world challenges. Our team works with a broad range of stakeholders, including local communities, policymakers, researchers, NGOs, education centres, universities, etc. This expanded network enables us to scale our impact and effectively apply our research findings to real-world challenges. Because here at BRT, we strive to see our results in real-world applications!
CORE AREAS OF FOCUS
Despite our broader scope, biogas is the central pillar of our research. However, our work also prominently features:
- Bioenergy - Developing renewable energy solutions derived from biological sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
- Biodiversity - Promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity to maintain ecosystem balance and resilience.
- Bioeconomy - Advancing economic models that leverage biological resources and innovative biotechnologies for sustainable growth and reduced environmental impact.
- Complexity - Addressing intricate, complex systems in biological, environmental and societal processes to enhance understanding and optimize resource management.
Jan Stas during the monitoring harvest of the fishpond with dam liner (Photo by Michal Černý) - Food Security - Ensuring reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food by integrating sustainable practices into food production systems.
- Waste Management - Innovating strategies to recycle and repurpose waste materials efficiently, minimizing environmental pollution and promoting circular economy principles.
- Sustainable Agriculture and Aquaculture - Supporting farming and aquaculture practices (often linked with biogas and other systems) that maintain productivity while preserving natural resources and ecosystem health for future generations.
- And much more…
OUR OBJECTIVE:
- The main long-term research interest of BioResources & Technology is to reveal the current state, bottlenecks and perspectives of biogas plants in both developing and developed countries.
- To innovate and implement sustainable bioresource management practices that enhance energy production, biodiversity conservation, and waste valorization across diverse regions.
- To support the development of integrated bioeconomic strategies that foster food security, promote sustainable agricultural and aquaculture practices, and drive socioeconomic growth while addressing environmental challenges.
WE COVER THE ENTIRE RESEARCH LIFE CYCLE
Our team covers the whole research life cycle – From feasibility studies, system studies, and technology development to laboratory-scale research towards implementation. We also conduct socio-economic studies and implications, gender studies, and various environmental studies.
BIORESOURCES & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH STRATEGIES
The BioResources & Technology Division focuses on various fields to advance the development and implementation of organic waste management and sustainable technologies in general. Here are some examples:
Waste Management and BioResources & Technology
A combination of technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and social and behavioural factors drives the overall activities of BioResources & Technology and waste management research. Waste management is an increasingly pressing issue in many parts of the world, and immediate solutions are required.
- Waste Reduction: One of the most important goals of waste management is to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place. Waste reduction strategies can include better product design, more efficient manufacturing processes, and greater use of recycling and reuse.
- Resource Recovery: Another important area of waste management research is the recovery of resources from waste. This can include the extraction of valuable materials from waste streams, such as metals and other minerals, and energy generation from waste.
- Technological Innovation: Waste management research also focuses on developing new technologies that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management. These are new sorting and separation technologies, advanced recycling processes, and new methods for converting waste into energy. Especially those focused on low-cost and simple implementation.
- Circular Economy: The concept of a circular economy, in which waste is minimized and materials are used for as long as possible, is becoming increasingly important in waste management research. This approach emphasizes the importance of closing the loop on materials and reducing waste generation by redesigning products and business models.
- Social and Behavioural Factors: Waste management research focuses on the social and behavioural factors influencing waste generation and disposal. This could include research on consumer behaviour, public attitudes towards waste management, and the role of education and outreach in promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Biogas research and its intricacies:
- Feedstock diversity and optimization: Biogas research teams investigate new and underutilized feedstocks, such as algae, seaweed, and aquatic plants, to expand the range of materials that can be used for biogas production. Trying to explore ways to optimize the use of current feedstocks to improve biogas yields and reduce biogas plant costs.
- Advanced biogas production techniques: There is still much to be learned about the most efficient and effective ways to produce biogas, particularly in terms of reactor design, temperature and pH control, and pre- and post-treatment processes. The BRT investigates novel reactor configurations, such as membrane-based and two-phase systems, and new techniques for nutrient and pH control in the biogas plant.
- Biogas utilization and storage: Once biogas is produced, it must be stored and utilized efficiently and effectively. Biogas Research Teams plans to explore new storage and utilization technologies, as well as ways to optimize existing storage and utilization methods.
- Environmental and social impacts of biogas production: As biogas production continues to expand, it is important to understand this technology's environmental and social impacts. Biogas Research Teams studies the emissions and ecological impacts of biogas production and use, as well as the social and economic benefits and challenges of biogas implementation.
- Integration of biogas into energy systems: Biogas production can be integrated into existing energy systems in a variety of ways, such as by using biogas to supplement or replace fossil fuels in electricity generation, heating, and transportation. Biogas Research Teams investigates the technical and economic feasibility of these integration strategies, as well as the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support them.
