20-05-2008
Using biomass for energy production is "the future" and a key part of maintaining the sustainability agenda, a senior German government official said today, writes Sian Barton. Speaking at the Future of Biomass Conference in London, Dr Martin Kremer, Counsellor for Science and the Environment at the German Embassy, said: "Biomass and renewables are essential to addressing climate change and addressing our dependence on fossil fuels. It is obvious that biomass is playing an important role."
He said that industry needs to find ways to make sure biomass production respects the sustainability agenda. Dr Kremer added that the renewables sector was a good financial investment: "It still remains a pivotal pillar in our future. It's hard to make the wrong decision from an investment perspective when choosing renewable and biomass." Dr Andreas Schutte, Managing Director of company Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe EV said that biomass energy could save up to 68.1 million tonnes of carbon being emitted in Germany. He said biomass was the leading form of renewable energy with 70% of the market and predicted a €9 billion turnover for the sector.
Giving a UK perspective, Dr Adam Brown, Sector Champion for Renewable Energy with UK Trade and Investment, said renewable energy and biomass were high on the political agenda for the UK. He said: "There are strong drivers like climate change, and energy security in the UK which mean the topic of biomass and renewables is coming up the agenda." He explained that the UK was looking to reduce its carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 and developing biomass and renewable energy is a way of achieving these targets. Dr Adams pointed out that many traditional coal and nuclear power stations were coming to the end of their working lives and there was an opportunity for the renewables sector to step in.
By 2020 he expects the UK to have to import 75% of its energy needs. He said: "We have to meet these concerns and climate change goals." Dr Adams estimated that around £9 - 11 billion is needed to meet the UK's renewable energy targets. He revealed that the UK is funding a number of biomass projects including a £40 million plant in Lockerbie which is set to produce 44MW of electricity, powered by Scottish forests. A plant which produces 30 MW of power is also up and running in Teesside. The £60 million facility operates using 300,000 tonnes of recycled timber and willow energy
The governments of both Germany and the UK are working to push the sustainability agenda and increase the market share for renewable energy. Dr Schutte revealed that the German Government is committed to an Energy and Climate Programme and is working on a Biomass Action Plan. They are also working on sustainability standards, which should apply internationally.
UK Trade & Investment Dr Brown said the most important legislation for the renewable sector in the UK was the Renewable Obligations Certificate (Rocs), which oblige energy suppliers to increase their use of renewables to 20% by 2020. The recent Biomass Strategy 2007 is also focused on increasing available resources through better land management, improved use of waste and more energy crops. Dr Brown said: "We want to create a pull to encourage newer technologies, and those technologies will be rewarded."
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35 vehicles in the Biofuels for Transport pilot project funded by the Department of Transport are running on pure plant oil biofuel (PPO) on Irish roads.
Among those involved was the South Tipperary County Council, thus establishing itself as a future source of information on biofuels technology for other County Councils. According to Pat Fitzgerald, ‘South Tipperary County Council is delighted to be one of two County Councils bringing pure plant oil biofuel into the local authority circuit. We got two trucks converted under the Biofuels for Transport project and between them they have been doing over 10,000 km per month on PPO.’ There were also many challenges along the way, and some companies initially earmarked for the funding did not go ahead with the conversions, citing ‘lack of PPO supply in their area’ and ‘issues surrounding vehicle warranty’ as the main reasons for their respective decisions.
Ralf Lissek, CEO of the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce, was entirely supportive of these decisions. ‘This is a pilot project and, as such, we expected that there would be some twists and turns along the way.’ He continued, ‘The PPO market is a very new market for Ireland. The 20 participating companies have proven themselves to be real innovators. They have paved the way for many other Irish companies to benefit from their experiences and make a smoother switch to a greener fuel in the future.’ Some of the participating companies also overcame some initial challenges. According to Eugene Hall, chairman of participating company AAA Mobile Windscreens, ‘At first we had a few issues with regards to the choice of vehicle to convert, but after an in-depth consultation with our installer we now have 3 of our vans running successfully on PPO, one of them brand new.’
Biofuels for Transport also threw up some pioneering moves: among the 29 vehicles of transport is a narrow boat - ‘The Tom Rolt’. Used as a pleasure craft on the Grand Canal, it was converted to run on PPO last July. According to the owner, Meath tillage farmer Gerald Potterton, ‘I am delighted with the huge environmental advantages that such a conversion brings to boating on the inland waterways, where (mineral) diesel pollution is detrimental to aquatic life. To my knowledge it is the first boat in Ireland to run on PPO.’ Within the framework of this biofuels initiative, 29 vehicles of transport operators are now running on Irish roads and waterways with 6 more to follow by the end of November. Among them are heavy goods vehicles, vans, buses, cars and even the above mentioned narrow boat. The initiative has also been supported by experts from Ireland, Germany, Denmark and England, thus drawing on valuable experiences made in these countries.
For Further Information Contact Aideen Keenan Tel: 01 6424330 Email:
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The bioenergy business needs a voice on the international arena. The debate about biofuels has been intense over the last months, but the experts within our own ranks have not always been heard. Fruitful discussions have been held in the European Biomass Association, AEBIOM, about the possibilities to create a body acting globally with a loud voice telling the truth. We have come to the conclusion that we need a global organisation for bioenergy. Contacts with other actors all over the world have given the same impression. Our plan is to launch a global bioenergy organisation in Jonkoping at World Bioenergy 2008. The concept of the new organisation will be presented in the opening session of the conference. An interim board meeting will be held on the 28th of May. In the evening of the 28th we also plan a reception where it will be possible get information about the organisation and meet with members of the interim board. The closing session of the conference is organised as a panel discussion between members of the interim board – giving an overview of the situation around the world and the role of bioenergy in meeting the climate and energy challenges. The interim board will discuss the statutes of the new organisation and the timetable for further activity. They will also discuss the role of the organisation and its agenda.
As a starting point for discussions I have formulated a World Bioenergy Association Action Plan. It is essential that this new organisation will get representation from all parts of the world. The interim board will consist of around 10 – 12 people from all continents. Later on a larger body will have to be called in representing all interested member countries, businesses and institutions. I am very eager to get in contact with national or regional organisations and institutions interested in joining the new organisation. I would also much appreciate comments on the agenda. If you are interested of more information, don’t hesitate to contact me!
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Kent Nyström (Vice President)
European Biomass Association Managing Director,
Swedish Bioenergy Association
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