Step on the gas at the UK’s top biofuels show

Now in its fifth year, EBEC is the UK’s largest dedicated bioenergy exhibition. The main focus of the show is biodiesel, biogas, biomass, wood energy and fuel from waste and there’s a bioenergy conference running alongside. It takes place on 6-7 October at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Biogas

Biogas is finally taking off in the UK. It can be used for power, heat and transport and there is huge potential – National Grid estimates it could make up nearly 50% of domestic gas by 2020.

At EBEC 2010 there’s a chance to see the latest technology in the sector as well as attending study tours to a local on-farm 1MW plant.

Biomass

It’s an exciting time for biomass in the power and renewable heat sectors. Banding in the Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs – used by energy companies to demonstrate how much power comes from renewable sources) gives 1.5ROCs/MWh for dedicated biomass plant and there is some progress on using biomass from waste. In April 2011, the government is expected to proceed with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which will drive the market forward significantly.

At EBEC 2010 the biomass sector is well represented and two local biomass study tours have been laid on.

Biodiesel

Although the short-term is still unclear, the longer term looks much better for biodiesel and renewable liquid transport fuels. The Renewable Energy Directive will require 10% of transport energy to be renewable by 2020 – and biofuels will have the lion’s share of this as the only technology likely to be available on the required scale.

The proposed RHI could lead to the adoption of biodiesel blended with home heating oil – potentially a 600m litre-a-year potential market.

What’s on offer at EBEC?

• More than 200 exhibitors will be at the event, covering all aspects of biofuels.

• Free practical workshops within the hall give visitors a chance to get expert advice. They are divided into the three sectors – biogas, biomass and biofuels – and cover market prospects, current and upcoming regulations and technical issues affecting those involved or thinking of getting involved.

• Study tours to local bioenergy facilities have also been arranged. These include a recently-commissioned 1MW anaerobic digestion (AD) biogas plant, a local 500MW biomass boiler installation and a tour around a miscanthus pelleting plant.

• The conference programme also runs over two days, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 3.30pm. Areas covered include getting your bioenergy project funded, updates on legislation, the latest developments in feedstocks and the latest industry issues.