BIO-ENERGY WORKSHOPS AT THE APF

Four workshops to discuss and present the latest research findings and developments in renewable energy, including woodfuel, will be held on Friday 19^th September 2008 at this year's APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition.

Hosted by IEA Bioenergy in association with the UK Biomass Energy Centre, the workshops will explore the following themes:

the politics and plans for wood energy – how does the UK situation compare internationally? Are the UK’s woodfuel strategies working?
future opportunities, with an emphasis on systems ideal for forest contractors. Does reality meet with expectation? Is this a business opportunity for forest and arboricultural based businesses?
latest technology – logs, chips, pellets, combined heat and power. Which one is most likely to give greatest benefit and to whom? Where to go for up-to-date information and expertise? and
Is it sustainable – are there markets? Is the material available? What are the impacts for forest management?

Each workshop will last 45 minutes, giving the audiences ample time to hear a brief presentation and then quiz a panel of experts and practitioners from the UK and overseas. The audiences will be encouraged to give their views, ask questions and offer criticisms – or even praise. The workshops will be of interest to all those interested in wood heat, whether from a policy, practice business opportunities perspective.

The morning's first two workshops will be chaired by Tim Rollinson, Director-General of the Forestry Commission. Members of IEA Bio-energy " Tasks" 31, 38 and 40, who include world-renowned scientists and technicians, will also be available to discuss the issues raised. The morning workshops start at 10am, the afternoon workshops at 2pm.

For further information contact Dr Hugh Williams of Forest Research, hugh.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk, telephone 01420 526188.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

IEA Bioenergy is an international, collaborative research and development agreement that works to accelerate the use of environmentally sound and cost-competitive bio-energy on a sustainable basis in order to help provide increased security of supply and a substantial contribution to future energy demands. Within this framework, a number of "tasks" concentrate on different aspects of the bio-energy chain.
IAE Bioenergy Task 31 focuses on biomass production for energy from sustainable forestry; Task 38 on greenhouse gas balances of biomass and bio-energy systems ; and Task 40 on sustainable international bio-energy trade. The " Tasks" work to share, analyse, synthesise, disseminate and promote scientific knowledge and technical information leading to the economically and environmentally sustainable production of biomass for energy from integrated forestry systems. They build on existing scientific and technical knowledge, information and expertise, adding new information from research and practical experience as it becomes available. This multi-disciplinary body of information is used in an integrated way to emphasise the scientific principles behind the biological, economic, environmental and social components of sustainable forest biomass production systems. The Tasks also have a significant role in identifying breakthrough technologies in relation to silviculture, forest management, harvesting and transportation in conventional forestry systems for bio-energy.
The UK’s Biomass Energy Centre is a "one-stop shop" hosted by Forest Research to provide information and advice on all aspects of biomass energy. For further information, visit www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk.
Forest Research is the agency of the Forestry Commission that conducts scientific research and technical development relevant to forestry for internal and external clients. For further information, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk .
The Forestry Commission is the government department for forestry in Great Britain. For further information visit www.forestry.gov.u
The APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition takes place from Thursday 18 ^th to Saturday 20^th September 2008. For further information visit www.apfexhibition.co.uk.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Charlton Clark, 0131 314 6500.
e-mail: charlton.clark@forestry.gsi.gov.uk