Release
The World’s Biomass Specialists met at the 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany
1312 Delegates from 77 Countries
SET Strategy & Renewable Energy Directive had been highlighted
Production of second generation biofuels has top priority
This year’s 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition ended on Friday, July 3, with the closing session containing presentations of Giovanni Federigo De Santi, General Chairman of the 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Director of the Institute for Energy (IE), Joint Research Centre (JRC) – European Commission, and Jean-François Dallemand, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy, and one of the Technical Programme Coordinators.
During the Conference a wide range of topics along the Biomass value chain were covered in about 1000 individual plenary, oral, and visual presentations. More than 1300 delegates from 77 countries met in Hamburg, Germany, to discuss Biomass and the future development on an international basis. Participants from research institutions, companies and the policy used the event as a discussion and networking platform. Delegations and participants from e.g. North America and Canada, Africa, India and Russia used the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition to get latest updates about the Biomass technology and the challenges and targets for the next years.
Giovanni Federigo De Santi stated at the Closing Session: "This meeting was an excellent platform to discuss the status and future challenges following the adoption of the new EU Renewable Energy Directive. The forthcoming National and Regional Biomass Action Plans, the European Industry Initiatives on bioenergy in the frame of the European Strategic Energy Technologies Plan – SET, represent unique opportunities to further develop sustainable and competitive green energy sources”.
Mr. De Santi continued: “The second generation of biofuels has also been discussed extensively at this Biomass Conference. Due to the fact that the production of first generation biofuels on a large-scale will endanger food production and biodiversity in the long-term, the further development of research and technical processes for the production of second generation biofuels has top priority. Another important point was the discussion about the international activities on biomass sustainability criteria, indirect land use effects and the deforestation.”
Jean-François Dallemand reviewed in his conclusion amongst others the EU Renewable Energy Directive and confirmed the 2020 targets: 20 % share of RES in energy consumption plus a 20 % increase in energy efficiency and 20 % reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) as well as an adaption of 10 % renewable energy in transport with a minimum of 35 % GHG emission savings. He also explained that it is hoped that a least 40 % (of the EU`s 10 %) 2020 biofuels target will come from second generation biofuels.
During the Opening Session of the Conference international experts in the biomass sector took the opportunity to present their point of view concerning the role of biomass in Europe and on an international level:
Michael Müller, Parliamentarian Secretary of State at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment,
Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director General for Environment, European Commission
Fabrizio Barbaso, European Commission, Deputy Director General for Energy and Transport
Valri Lightner, Biomass Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Josè Moreira, Director CENBIO – Brazilian National Biomass Reference Centre, Brasil,
Sergey Mazurenko, Head of the Federal Agency for Science and Innovations, Russia
3rd Biomass Industry Day
The 3rd Biomass Industry Day, which took place on Wednesday, July 1, in the framework of the Conference, was organized by the European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA). The program’s focus was mainly on financing of large scale biomass projects and sustainable bioenergy production. In the course of the day an overview of the RES Directive was given and investment needs in the biomass sector to reach the EU 2020 targets were analyzed and discussed.
Awards
The Johannes Linneborn Prize for Achievements in Biomass Development was awarded to Professor Bryan M. Jenkins, University of California (Davis), USA, during the Opening Session on Monday, June 29. Professor Jenkins, who has been in the field of Biomass for 30 years, has contributed further to the credibility of the California Biomass Collaborative. This Institute, founded by Prof. Jenkins, provides a strong base for the collaboration of academia, companies, environmental organizations and the government for a better and more sustainable future.
EUBIA Award
At the 17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition the EUBIA Award for outstanding contribution to the Biomass Sector was awarded to Schmack Biogas AG. The company was awarded for their activity as a pioneer in biogas development in Germany and in Europe and for their commitment to modern and industrial scale production of biogas.
Poster Awards
Another highlight of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition were the awards for the most outstanding visual presentations. The most outstanding presentations had been selected by a poster award committee. During the Closing Ceremony presenters from around the world were awarded for their presentation.
18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition 2010
ETA-Florence Renewable Energies and WIP – Renewable Energies, Munich, announce that the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition will be held in 2010. France, Spain and Italy expressed their interest to host this next event and negotiations are taking place.
Date and location will be announced within the next few weeks.
Contact:
ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, Piazza Savonarola, 10, 50132 Florence, Italy, www.etaflorence.it
Tel. +39 055 5002280, Fax +39 055 573425, pressoffice@etaflorence.it or
WIP – Renewable Energies, Sylvensteinstraße 2, 81369 Munich, Germany, www.wip-munich.de
Tel. +49 89 72012735, Fax +49 89 72012791, wip@wip-munich.de
Press Office of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
17th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Press Office
Tel. +39-055-5002280, Fax +39-055-573425, pressoffice@etaflorence.it