Bioenergy focus at Tullamore conference
Jointly organised by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and Teagasc, the theme is ‘Bioenergy — Making it a Sustainable Reality’, with a particular emphasis on how to make the bioenergy supply chain work.
A panel of national and international speakers, drawn from the different stages of the supply chain, will share their experiences on how they achieved success in the biomass energy sectors and in the less-known non-energy sectors of crop-derived construction materials.
Teagasc energy crop specialist Barry Caslin said the conference will provide those involved in all stages of the biomass chain with the opportunity to hear about the latest policy developments, research, commercial initiatives and emerging new opportunities.
IrBEA president Vicky Heslop said now is a really exciting time in the industry with new and promising opportunities continuously arising.
“The conference this year will hear from those already successful in the sectors as they share their experiences of making the bioenergy supply chain work for them,” she said.
The conference will also be presented with up-to-date information on applicable regulations and the support schemes now available to help realise the huge market potential for bioenergy.
It will provide an opportunity to network and to meet and speak with the participants and the companies already working in the sector, as well as a number of the sector’s companies exhibiting at the conference.
Full details of the conference are available at www.teagasc.ie
Meanwhile, the possibility of using crops for biofuel was described as one of the most exciting developments in recent years and a positive development for both farmers and the environment at the Teagaasc national tillage conference in Carlow last week
Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle said transport biofuel use will increase rapidly in the coming years.
“While much of this will be imported, there is scope for some increase in native production from tillage crops, and this needs to be developed to the maximum extent that our tillage land area will allow,” he said.
