Biomass Connect

Low Carbon Agriculture - Biomass Connect Launch Event!
2023-02-07 - 2023-02-08 | NAEC, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2LZ
Come and meet the Biomass Connect team at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show, 2023!
Biomass Connect will officially launch at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show in Stoneleigh, on the 7th February, 2023.
To mark the occasion, we will hold an event at 16.40 on the 7th February (day one of the show) in Seminar Room 1 – please join us to hear more about the Biomass Connect programme and what to expect in the next two years, and to meet the wider Biomass Connect team from project partners across the programme (UKCEH, IBERS, AFBI, Rothamstead Research, NIAB, BGI, Crops for Energy, Newcastle University, and SRUC).
You can also find us at the show on stand 141 – so come along and meet the team to find out more about biomass crops!
Additionally, Look out for talks on day two (8th of February) from Dr Jeanette Whitaker (UKCEH) and Prof. Iain Donnison (IBERS, Aberystwyth University), part of the management team for Biomass Connect. They are presenting in the conference session discussing ‘The role of biomass in our energy security & net zero plans,’ chaired by Patricia Thornley, director of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute.
Look forward to seeing you all there!

Terravesta - Lincolnshire Miscanthus Farm Farm
2023-02-02 09:30 - 13:30 UTC
Date and time: 2nd February, 9:30 – 1:30 pm
Grower: James Hoff
Format: An informal presentation from Terravesta, a chance to meet the grower and see the Terravesta Athena™ Miscanthus crop. Refreshments will be provided.
Location: Spilsby

Supergen Bioenergy Hub Consultation Events
2023-01-24 - 2023-01-27
Stakeholder Consultation Events: Shaping the future generation of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub
Sustainable bioenergy will be key to the UK’s future energy system and the Supergen Bioenergy hub is leading the way in developing research and innovation that will transform the UK’s bioenergy deployment. So, join us and help co-create that future in our tailored events taking place on 24, 25 and 27 January 2023.
As a valued member of the UK bioenergy community we would like to seek your Input, Influence and Steer in this important and exciting opportunity to develop a proposal for the new Hub to become an innovative knowledge centre, striving for excellence in collaboration across the industrial, academic and policy communities on bioenergy research and systems.
You will have the opportunity to be informed about the newly released Call for Proposals by UK Research and Innovation and to use your ideas and expertise to co-create our new funding mechanisms, research areas, collaborations and outputs.
There will be three separate events tailored for each stakeholder community, and they will be held in person from 10.30am – 3pm, with lunch and networking opportunities. Although the event will not be fully hybrid, presentations will be streamed live for those who cannot attend in person and there will be an opportunity to feed back in an online follow up meeting.
Register your place!
Booking is now open and you can register your place by selecting the relevant stakeholder group and linking to our Eventbrite page below:
Academic Stakeholder Event, Tuesday 24 January 2023, Central Birmingham – book your place here.
Industry Stakeholder Event, Wednesday 25 January 2023, Central Birmingham – book your place here.
Policy Stakeholder Event, Friday 27 January 2023, Central London – book your place here.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact: supergen-bioenergy@aston.ac.uk

Fuels of the Future
2023-01-23 - 2023-01-24 | CityCube, Messe, Berlin, Germany
20TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE MOBILITY “FUELS OF THE FUTURE” ON 23RD AND 24TH JANUARY 2023
The 20th International Conference on Renewable Mobility “Fuels of the Future” will take place again from 23rd to 24th January 2023. The motto of the conference is: “Fuels of the Future 2023 – Navigator for sustainable Mobility!” As usual, the event will be bilingual (German-English).
Fuels of the future 2023 welcomes national and international participants including representatives from the raw material collecting and processing industry, the biofuel, mineral oil and automotive industry, the chemical industry, the transport and logistics sector, certification systems as well as from politics, science and research.
The aim of the International Conference is to provide participants with an up-to-date status report on the many different legislative initiatives and to discuss corresponding recommendations for action, to present current market developments and project examples of renewable mobility, and to provide a broad platform for the exchange of experience.
On the International Conference on Renewable Mobility offers the outstanding opportunity to introduce your company or organisation to an international audience of experts and/or to present it via sponsoring. You will find details on this in the Exhibition & Participation offer “market place of the future”.

Biomass Connect Webinar No. 2
2023-01-19 16:30 - 17:30 UTC | Online
Emerging Markets for Biomass Crops
Perennial crops like willow, miscanthus and poplar were once simply termed energy crops. This is no longer the case. The versatility, quick growth and high yields means that these crops are now being considered for all sorts of other uses including pharmaceuticals, bio-packaging, bio-composites, fodders and forages and biochar. R&D efforts are also pushing the potential for cascading several uses for different components of the same crop – the so-called biorefinery approach. These are really exciting times for biomass. This webinar will provide the latest news on emerging markets for biomass crops.

Register Here

Once registered, use the button below to join on the day.

Registered Participants Join Here

Speakers:
William Cracroft-Eley
William Cracroft-Eley – Terravesta
William Cracroft-Eley is the Chairman of Terravesta, the UKs largest miscanthus company. He has been growing Miscanthus on his Lincolnshire farm for 20 years. The company is involved in all aspects of cultivation, management, harvesting, processing and marketing of Miscanthus. Terravesta are currently engaged in the BFI-funded Omenz project which stands for ‘Optimising Miscanthus Establishment through improved mechanisation and data capture to meet Net Zero targets’.
OMENZ will deliver improvements on the entire Miscanthus establishment process, including approaches to producing planting material, field preparation, innovative agri-tech, new planting techniques, and cutting-edge technologies to monitor establishment in the field.
J J Leahy
Prof. J J Leahy – University of Limerick
Prof J J Leahy is currently an associate professor in the Dept of Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick where he is involved in teaching, curriculum development and research in the area of waste management and renewable energy. He currently heads a research group consisting of chemists and chemical engineers that is focused on chemical technologies for biofuels and biorefining from wastes.
Prof Leahy currently is leading the BioWILL project, an Interreg NWE funded project focusing on Integrated “Zero Waste” Biorefinery utilising all fractions of Willow feedstock for the production of high value salicylates from willow bark for medical applications, safe, food quality packaging material to replace fossil derived plastics, a feedstock in an innovative bio-energy anaerobic digestion system producing biogas and natural fertilisers.

Register Here

Report Launch: The State of Cardon Dioxide Removal
2023-01-19 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Online
Report launch: The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal
Thursday 19 January 2023, 16.00-17.30 GMT
Join us at the launch of a significant new report, The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal – a first-of-its kind, independent, scientific assessment, tracking the development of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) globally.
At this launch event, lead authors will discuss key findings from the report. They will present the global state of CDR development, tracking progress on its scale up, public perceptions, policies and innovation.
After short presentations, the authors will be joined by expert contributors and will answer audience Q&A.
Presenting authors:

Oliver Geden, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Jan Minx, Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC)
Gregory Nemet, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Steve Smith, University of Oxford

Special guest speaker:

Jen Wilcox, US Department of Energy

The event will be chaired by Catherine Brahic, Environment Editor at The Economist.
To find out more about the report and receive a copy of the report directly to your inbox on 19 January, visit the state of cdr website.
Organised by the Smith School in collaboration with CO2RE. With thanks to our funders Natural Environment Research Council, European Research Council, Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany, Carbon Gap and Bank of America.

Sign up for the event

7th Central European Biomass Conference 2023
2023-01-18 - 2023-01-20 | Messe Congress Graz, Messeplatz 1, Styria, Austria
The 7th Central European Biomass Conference takes the whole process from resource provision up to the end consumer into account. The CEBC 2023 places its special emphasis on the areas of negative emissions, hydrogen, green gas, biochar, advanced biofuels and bio-economy. Traditionally, the conference thoroughly considers the progress in the area of heat and power generation. The conference offers an extensive overview of the latest political, economic and technological developments, covering topics such as raw material availability, logistics, conversion technologies, integration into the energy system, industrial application, environmental impacts and market developments.
The leading event of the Central European biomass scene, which has been awarded the Congress Award Graz several times, has an appeal far beyond Austria. With more than 1,400 participants from around 50 nations, the Central European Biomass Conference, which is held every three years, is one of the largest industry events in the world. The “Hauslbauer” trade fair taking place at the same time, with around 40,000 visitors and a traditional focus on the provision of energy in the building sector, is an excellent addition. The 7th Central European Biomass Conference includes the 1st European Pellet Forum, highlights of bioenergy research and much more as scientific highlights. An extensive excursion program and company presentations in the form of lectures and information stands effectively combine theory and practice. The extensive supporting program offers enough space for personal networking and the enjoyment of Styrian delicacies.
Visitors to the CEBC also have the opportunity to visit the “Hauslbauer” trade fair, which is taking place at the same time and is an excellent addition.

Terravesta - Staffordshire Miscanthus Farm Walk
2023-01-16 09:30 - 11:30 UTC
Staffordshire Miscanthus farm walk
Date and time: 16th February, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Grower: Richard Corbett
Format: An informal presentation from Terravesta, a chance to meet the grower and see the Terravesta Athena™ Miscanthus crop. Light refreshments will be provided.
Location: Cannock

Bioenergy Europe 2022 Statistical Reports
2023-01-12 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris)
Taking extracted data from the Statistical Reports published throughout the year, the authors will explore the most significant findings of 2022.
The webinar will take place on 12 January 2023 16:00-17:00 (CET) and will be followed by a Q&A session.
Speakers:
Jérémie Geelen, Market Intelligence Officer, Bioenergy Europe
Manolis Karampinis, Business Development and Membership Director, Bioenergy Europe

Terravesta - Suffolk Farm Walk
2023-01-12 09:30 - 11:30 UTC
Suffolk Miscanthus farm walk
Date and time: 12th January, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Grower: Sam Summers
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Format: Tea, coffee and biscuits, short presentations from Terravesta, a chance to meet the grower, and tour a Terravesta Athena™ Miscanthus crop.

LAMMA
2023-01-10 - 2023-01-11 | NEC Birmingham, North Avenue, Birmingham, B40 1NT
The UK’s Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Showroom
LAMMA 2023 will be on 10th & 11th January 2023 at the NEC Birmingham.
The UK’s premier farm machinery show, LAMMA connects farmers from all sectors with companies who provide cutting-edge machinery, technology and equipment for the farming industry.
Over 600 exhibitors will showcase the latest tractors, combines, arable and grassland machinery, as well as a wide range of new technology, services and tools for every sector.
See machinery launches, UK debuts, global brands and small manufacturers, all together under one roof.

Biomass Connect Webinar No.1
2022-12-15 16:30 - 17:30 UTC | Online
Land preparation – starting off on the right foot
Ensuring that your land is prepared to a high standard is absolutely critical if you are to ensure long term success of your biomass crop. When you plant you are making a 20-year decision. It is important to avoid haste, and to ensure proper implementation. This could otherwise lead to poor establishment, gappy plots, lost yield and reduced income. This webinar will provide the necessary ‘need-to-know’ information on what to do when to ensure success during the establishment phase.

Register Here

Speakers:
Mike Cooper
Mike Cooper – Miscanthus Nursery Ltd
Originating from a farming family, Mike spent 32 out of his 50 years of continued employment with one Agricultural merchanting company as a highly committed manager with a good understanding of commercial Agricultural and the ability to build strong relationships in the industry.
Growing perennial energy crops in support of annual food crops has interested Mike since 1984 when one of the first Miscanthus and SRC trial plots was planted in Devon and run by Jon Harvey head agronomist with the Ministry of Agriculture at Starcross Devon.
Since 2009 Mike has been running Miscanthus Nursery Ltd (MNL), growing some c2000 acres of Miscanthus and consulting on a further c3000 acres. MNL is a Grower Cooperative owned & operated by a group of Farmers who understand the importance of this crop in supporting environmental Agriculture and climate change.
Neil Watkins
Neil Watkins – Energy Crops Consultancy Limited (ECCL)
Neil Watkins is Managing Director of Energy Crops Consultancy Limited (ECCL) and an Independent Adviser on energy crops. In ECCL Neil has formed a company which can carry out all aspects of biomass production from site and variety selection, through planting, growing and harvesting carried out by an in house team and equipment as well as marketing of final product. He has over 15 years’ experience in establishing, promoting, and developing markets for energy crops working with hundreds of landowners and growers. He is a proven innovator and has actively participated in varied research projects covering all aspects of the biomass energy sector. Neil has been a member of several working groups influencing and advising government policy, and his knowledge and experience, particularly in Short Rotation Coppice production is recognised both nationally and internationally.

Register Here

InnovateUK
2022-11-24 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
Industrial Applications of Biomass: The Biorefinery Concept – creating high value product streams from biomass
This online event focuses on the biorefinery concept as a means to create maximum impact and value from biomass. It aims to demonstrate how biorefineries are essential for the future of UK biomass utilisation – key to the shift away from a fossil-based economy and the drive to net zero.
This webinar will explore the opportunities biorefineries present along with some consideration of the current barriers to their development within the UK. Presentations include a review of the cutting-edge Biorefinery Glas project in Ireland and an outline of work underway in SW England to develop a biorefinery model for creating seaweed value chains.
The session will also include dissemination of a recent biomass to chemicals report based on data collected in previous webinars in this series, as well as a review of the current UK biomass policy landscape.
