Exhibition of planting machinery, aeroponics, decision support tools, breeding advances and other innovations from across the biomass supply chain.
Download the Programme
SHOWCASE DETAILS
 | Date: 7th & 8th November 2024 |
 | Venue: The Slate, Warwick University, Coventry, CV4 7SH |
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
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- Timothy Volk
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- Erisa Senerdem
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- Kerrie Farrar
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- Ian Shield
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- Enrique Cornejo
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- Will Rowe
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- Jamie Rickerby
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- John Hawkins
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- Chris Johnston
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- Pietro Alasia
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- Jeanette Whitaker
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- Charlotte Powell
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- Steve Smith
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- Alex McCash
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- Steve Hunt
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- Kevin Lindegaard
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- Paul Carver
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- Zoe Harris
It was fantastic to see so many of you at the Biomass Connect Showcase event last week! Thanks to everyone who came, contributed, and made it such a valuable experience.
The event showcased the latest innovations in biomass production and processing emerging from the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme and included presentations and practical workshop sessions from a wide range of speakers from all areas of the biomass industry. The robot was of course a big hit too.
If you couldn’t join us, don’t worry too much, we’re currently going through all of the presentations, audio files, photos and videos from the event and hope to bring you as much of it as we can here over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
If you have your own photos from the event or comments about it then please do share them on our Social Media channels, we’d love to hear from you.
Presentations
Click the links below to see presentations and highlights from the Showcase Event. More are being added every day…
Growing a sustainable biomass sector through research, innovation and demonstration, Jeanette Whitaker
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Jeanette Whitaker (UKCEH) provides an overview of Biomass Connect and the various Biomass Feedstock Innovation projects, showing how their innovations are helping to shape the future of the biomass sector in the UK.
Click here to view the slides and download as a pdf: Jeanette Whitaker, Growing a sustainable biomass sector through research, innovation and demonstration.
Reflecting on the NZIP Biomass Feedstock Innovation programme, Charlotte Powell
In this presentation from the morning session of 7th November 2024, Charlotte Powell (DESNZ) reflects on the NZIP Biomass Feedstocks Innovation programme.
Click here to view the slides and download as a pdf: Charlotte Powell, Reflecting on the NZIP Biomass Feedstock Innovation programme.
The AWBD Project, Ian Shield (Rothamsted Research)
In this presentation from the morning session of 7th November 2024, Ian Shield outlines the Accelerating Willow Breeding and Deployment (AWBD) project.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the talk and download as a pdf: Ian Sheild, Accelerating Willow Breeding and Deployment.
The Miscanspeed Project, Kerrie Farrar (Miscanspeed)
In this presentation from the morning session of 7th November 2024, Kerrie Farrar outlines the Miscanseped) project.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Kerrie Farrar, Miscanspeed
Letters from America – Reflections on willow production in the US, Tim Volk (SUNY College)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Tim Volk provides a comparative view of the willow industries in the USA and UK, emphasising the critical role of people and relationships and how we must cultivate these alongside the supply chain and technical advancements.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Tim Volk: Letters from America – Reflections on willow production in the US
The role of poplar in UK biomass systems, Pietro Alasia (AL.Wood)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Pietro Alasia (AL.Wood) provides insights into poplar cultivation in Italy
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: The role of poplar in UK biomass systems (Pietro Alasia)
On farm benefits of willow for water management, Chris Johnston (Agri-food and Biosciences Institute)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Chris Johnston (AFBI) showcases the use of willow to manage farm water runoff, highlighting promising results.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Chris Johnston: On farm benefits of willow for water management (AFBI)
Land use change to incorporate biomass crops. A tenant farmers perspective. John Hawkins, (Bagber Farms Ltd.)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, John Hawkins (Bagber Farms Ltd.) details his experiences growing reed canary grass.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: John Hawkins, Land use change to incorporate biomass crops. A tenant farmers perspective.
The role of decision support and information tools, in successful scaling up of the biomass industry. Kevin Lindegaard (Envirocrops)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Kevin Lindegaard (Envirocrops) introduces decision-making tools and an educational game to help aspiring biomass crop growers evaluate their options.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Kevin Lindegaard: The role of decision support and information tools, in successful scaling up of the biomass industry.
Using aeroponics to fast track the sustainable propagation of Short Rotation Coppice willow, Zoe Harris (Taeda Tech)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Zoe Harris, demonstrates the use of aeroponics as a cutting-edge propagation method for willow.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Zoe Harris, Using aeroponics to fast track the sustainable propagation of SRC willow.
Optimising Miscanthus Establishment through improved mechanisation and data capture. Alex McCash (Terravesta)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 7th November 2024, Alex McCash (Terravesta) describes the Terravesta OMENZ project achievements, including advancements in rhizome separation and planting efficiency.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Alex McCash, Optimising Miscanthus Establishment through improved mechanisation and data capture.
Carbon dioxide removal – the state of play and the global scale up challenge, Steve Smith (Oxford University)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 8th November 2024, Steve Smith shared the findings of the “State of CDR” report, emphasising the global need for carbon dioxide removal technologies. Whether it’s trees, peatland restoration, biochar, wood products, or BECCS, the majority involve biomass in some way.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Steve Smith, Carbon dioxide removal – the state of play and the global scale-up challenge.
Unlocking Agricultural Biomass Potential: Lessons from Forestry and Global Market Insights, Erisa Senerdem (Argus Media)
In this presentation given at the Biomass Connect Showcase on 8th November 2024, Erisa Senerdem brings valuable insights from global biomass markets for agricultural residues like sugarcane bagasse and palm kernel shells. Particularly pertinent were comments about the importance of product specification, seasonality of supply, price volatility and matching to end user technologies.
Click here to view the slides, listen to the presentations and download as a pdf: Erisa Senerdem, Unlocking Agricultural Biomass Potential: Lessons from Forestry and Global Market Insights.
Showcase Programme
Draft Programme ~ Day 1 ~ Nov. 7th
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Tea/coffee and registration |
10.30 – 10.45 Welcome and opening address | Jeanette Whitaker, UKCEH. Growing a sustainable biomass sector through research, innovation and demonstration. |
10.45 – 11.00 Government perspectives on innovation | Charlotte Powell, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Innovations and opportunities surrounding bioenergy, hydrogen and carbon capture. |
| 11.00 – 11.15 | A bright future for biomass. Gail Shuttleworth, NNFCC. |
11.15 – 12.00 Innovations in Biomass Crop breeding and propagation | Ian Shield, Rothamsted Research. Unlocking the potential of willow using genomic selection. Kerrie Farrar, IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Miscanspeed – genomic selection and speed breeding to accelerate the development of resilient Miscanthus varieties. Paul Carver, New Energy Farms. The role of Energycanes, synthetic seeds (CEEDS) and novel Miscanthus varieties in the future biomass industry.
Speakers Panel |
| 12.00 – 12.15 | Tim Volk, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, USA. Letters from America – reflections on willow production in the US
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| 12.15 – 1.00 | Lunch and exhibition viewing
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| 1.00 – 2.00 | Moving beyond barriers; creating a blueprint for the future biomass industry. Session facilitated by Creative Exchange
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2.00 – 3.45 Which crop and why? Decision making for biomass crops | Steve Hunt, Teesdale Moorland Biomass. Developing end uses for heather – naturally occurring biomass crops and the environmental benefits of processing them into saleable products. Pietro Alasia. Al.Wood. The role of poplar in UK biomass systems. Chris Johnston. AFBI. On farm benefits of willow for water management. John Hawkins, Bagber Farms Ltd. Land use change to incorporate biomass crops. A tenant farmers perspective. Kevin Lindegaard. Envirocrops. The role of decision support and information tools, in successful scaling up of the biomass industry.
Speakers panel, including Will Rowe, Berkshire College of Agriculture. Chaired by Jeanette Whitaker. |
| 3.45 – 4.15 | Tea/coffee and exhibition viewing |
4.15 – 5.00 Technologies to enhance propagation, planting and harvesting | Jamie Rickerby. Willow Energy. Innovations in robotic planting and harvesting machinery to increase the potential scale up rate of SRC willow. Alex McCash, Terravesta. Optimising Miscanthus Establishment through improved mechanisation and data capture. Zoe Harris, University of Surrey. Using aeroponics to fast track the sustainable propagation of SRC willow.
Speakers Panel |
| 5.00 – 7.00 | Free time and networking in the lounge
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| 7.00 | Conference dinner |
Draft Programme ~ Day 2 ~ Nov. 8th
| 9.00 – 9.30 | Flash talks from delegates. Discussion. |
| 9.30 – 10.15 | Gail Shuttleworth, NNFCC. Facilitated workshop session. Biomass value chains – where are our gaps in understanding? |
| 10.15 – 11.15 Biomass crops for greenhouse gas removal – the rhetoric and the reality | Steve Smith, Oxford University. Carbon dioxide removal – the state of play and the global scale up challenge. Enrique Cornejo, Offshore Energy UK. Early infrastructure deployment in industrial clusters (Track 1, 2) and development of our CO2 storage sector Erisa Senerdem, Argus Media. Unlocking Agricultural Biomass Potential: Lessons from Forestry and Global Market Insights.
Speakers Panel |
| 11.15 – 11.45 | Tea/coffee and exhibition viewing |
11.45 – 1.30 | Moving beyond barriers; creating a blueprint for the future biomass industry. Session facilitated by Creative Exchange. |
1.30 – 2.30 | Closing Remarks. Lunch and exhibition viewing. |
