Информационный обзор

US soybean producers to fight EU emissions standards as unfair trade barier
// BiofuelsDigest

Meghan Sapp | May 31, 2011

Washington, US soybean farmers are disputing the European Commission’s greenhouse gas emissions limits on biofuels allowed to enter the European market under the Renewable Energy Directive, claiming it as an unfair trade barrier that sets unfair precedents. The EC’s representative in Washington says new GHG figures for US and Argentine soybean-based biodiesel are under consideration which may allow for exports to again qualify for market entry.
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2011/05/31/us-soybean-producers-to-fight-eu-emissions-standards-as-unfair-trade-barier/

Algae to feature strongly at European Biomass Conference
// RenewableEnergyMagazine

07, June 2011

Toby Price

In conjunction with the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, currently taking place in Germany, the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission, in cooperation with Hart Energy, is organising the Workshop on Algae - Technology Status and Prospects for Deployment, tomorrow.

Due to the rising interest in the potential of algae as energy crops, an entire day will be dedicated to reviewing the technology status of algae and exploring deployment opportunities at the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition at the International Conference Centre in Berlin (Germany) from 6 to 10 June.
Following the plenary presentations, including a presentation on the European Commission’s support to three large-scale 10 hectare demonstration projects of algae as biofuels feedstocks, the Algae Workshop will further concentrate on reviewing the range of products which can be obtained from algae, the optimisation of separation and extraction technologies and issues faced during deployment and scale up. Ample time will be given to the audience to address questions to the presenters and promote the exchange of ideas. In addition to these sessions, the workshop will present updates on several research topics linked to algae.
For over 30 years now, the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (European BC&E) has combined a very renowned international Scientific Conference with an Industry Exhibition. Since 2007 the Conference and Exhibition takes place every year. The European BC&E is held at different venues throughout Europe and ranks on top of the world's leading events in the Biomass sector.
In the five days of the 19th European BC&E, more than 1,500 participants from more than 70 countries, exhibitors from 14 countries and international delegations from Canada as well as Malaysia will meet to discuss the most current developments in the biomass sector.
The Technical Programme is coordinated by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre. The scientific programme of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition offers more than 800 presentations in plenary, oral and visual sessions on the following themes:
- Biomass conversion technologies for heating, electricity and chemicals
- Processes for fuels from Biomass
- Biomass markets
- Biomass policies and sustainability
In addition to being a unique networking platform for the European bioenergy community, the conference has now become a global event attracting delegates and exhibitors from about 70 countries. Two official delegations from Canada and Malaysia will be present during the week to highlight the opportunities offered by the growing bioenergy industries in their respective countries and promote business cooperation with EU organisations. Canada for example is home to 10% of the world’s forests and 2.5% of the world’s grain production. Its productive land base of 3.1 million sq. km (8.7 times the size of Germany), combined with manure, municipal and industrial waste offers more biomass feedstock per capita than any other nation. Canada is the largest exporter of wood pellets in the world and its domestic biomass combustion already provides 6% of Canada’s total primary energy supply.
810 papers are being given during the conference week. 231 (28%) are concentrating on Biomass Resources; 265 (33%) are covering the topic Biomass Conversion and 138 (17%) presentations are talking about Biomass Policies. Biofuels with 128 (16%) and the Biomass Market with 48 (6%) will complete the programme.
During the official Opening of the BC&E, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Faulstich, Chairman of the German Advisory Council on the Environment of the German Government, said: “Biomass is a renewable raw material with diverse applications. The conference will make an important contribution to forthcoming political decisions, for example the recent European Commission proposal for Common Agricultural Policy regarding the use of biomass in 2013 and subsequent years. Biomass as safe and reliable energy source can contribute to solve two of the most important challenges humanity is facing: climate change and energy supply.
“One of the major causes of climate change is the generation of energy. The recent events in Japan show in a dramatic way that Renewables are the only sustainable alternative for the mankind. Biomass can serve as a substitute for nearly all types of energy. The decisive advantage is the neutral CO2 balance, if biomass is used in an environmentally sustainable way,” he added.
Fin winds Biomass development award
On the opening day of the conference yesterday, The Johannes Linneborn Prize for Achievements in Biomass Development was awarded to Professor Kai Sipilä, Vice President Strategic Energy Research, Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT).
The prize was awarded for his leadership in development of biomass conversion technologies and for promoting biomass as a sustainable energy source within Finland, in many aspects a forerunner country in biomass, in the European Union and worldwide for more than 25 years. Trained as a chemical engineer at the Helsinki University of technology in Finland, in his career he acquired impressive abilities for process development showing creative and practical solutions like the combined combustion/pyrolysis process of VTT which drew a lot of attention.
The international Exhibition, taking place, in parallel with the Conference offers the possibility to network with the most important companies in the biomass sector, to update the latest innovations and to create business opportunities with new ideas and strategies. With 66 exhibitors from 14 countries this year’s exhibition area offers a comprehensive overview of the latest technologies and projects developed in the multiple niches of the biomass sector.
“Bioenergy represents a large opportunity for Europe. It will be a critical factor in securing our energy supply, it will stimulate innovation and industrial development and contribute to the sustainability of our cities and landscape. Biomass, however, is confronted with a large number of competing - non energy- uses. The challenge is to develop sustainable approaches which will take into account the demand for energy but also for food, fodder, biodiversity and other environmental services,” commented Jean-Paul Malingreau from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
Meanwhile, Paul Bryan, Biomass Program Manager at the US Department of Energy spoke on the opening day, saying that: “The US Renewable Fuel Standard calls for the use of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, of which at least 21 billion gallons will be advanced biofuels that reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% relative to petroleum fuels. The European Union has also defined ambitious targets for the development of sustainable biofuels. In the US, we are investing in innovative research and development and partnering with industry to facilitate and accelerate the demonstration and commercial deployment of integrated bio refineries, to produce a range of advanced biofuels, chemicals, and products. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in Europe and around the world to develop the technologies and deployment strategies that will help us meet our common challenges”.
For additional information:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/energias/renovables/index/pag/biofuels/botid/75/colright/biofuels/tip/articulo/title/Go%20to%20Bioenergy/pagid/15769/