Canada's largest conference on bioenergy gets underway this week.
The fifth International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition, co-hosted by the B.C. Bioenergy Network, will feature over 400 delegates, including 43 speakers, 57 exhibitors and 40 sponsors from across North America, Europe and Soutn heast Asia.
"Northern B.C. is a North American leader in bioenergy, whose businesses have a record of industrial achievement, entrepreneurial activity and leadership in bioenergy technology and forest fibre management," said Don Zurowski, one of the conference co-founders and 2012 conference co-Chair.
"Hosting this conference in Prince George brings bioenergy enthusiasts to one of the world's largest fibre baskets."
Following the business-to-busines meetings, the three-day event kicks off with a networking reception Wednesday evening at the University of Northern BC.
Then the conference itself gets underway at the Prince George Civic Centre beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
It will open with a discussion about the state of the bioenergy industry in the world. Global Game Changers features perspectives from Europe, North America and Asia.
Two topics central to the future of the bioenergy industry today - fibre and sustainability - take up the middle part of day one. The Future of Fibre will look at the delicate balancing act involved in allocating the fibre supply, how the bioenergy industry might fit into the tenure system in B.C., what role the bioenergy industry might play within the forest industry, and in the interface areas between forest and urban areas.
The question of the sustainability of the bioenergy sector - economically as well as environmentally - has been a hot topic of discussion for some time within the industry, and is now making its way into the mainstream. Experts from Europe, Canada and the United States will discuss key issues such as carbon neutrality and what role biomass can play in reducing the environmental footprint of our energy consumption.
Day one wraps up with a panel on the global bioeconomy and how the bioenergy industry is adding value to the world's economies. It will include a review of the different approaches taking place in countries such as Sweden and New Zealand, as well as the economic, environmental, and social impacts in B.C.
Day two features a comprehensive look at the nuts and bolts of various sectors of the bioenergy industry. At one end of the conference centre, the day starts with an overview of existing technologies and how they are being leveraged to further develop and refine the industry. This session is followed by a series of presentations on advanced technology developments that have the potential to be game changers and are sure to impact the future of the bioenergy industry.
The other concurrent breakout sessions will look at the state of the wood pellet sector globally, and the growing options for using biomass for community and municipal energy applications. These are followed by panel discussions on the latest in second generation torrefaction technology, and a look into how First Nations and rural communities can use readily available biomass to switch to cleaner, cheaper fuel sources than they rely on now.
This year's event also includes a trade show that features 57 exhibitors from across the industry. Wrapping up the conference, delegates will be taken on a field tour to the UNBC bioenergy facilities and down to the brand new Prince George District Energy System.
A full program of activities can be accessed at www.bioenergyconference.org.
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