Tag Archives: increase
Bulgaria Has Big Potential For Biomass Energy Production
October 7, 2013 Photo by globalresourceadvisorsllc.com Energy consumption in Bulgaria will double by 2035 and a possible increase in biomass production could be a way to meet growing demand for electricity . Bulgaria has huge potential for biomass production and could benefit from it to satisfy its future energy needs, according to Royal Dutch Shell expert, Vim Thomas. Thomas recently presented in Sofia an analysis on energy needs and consumption in the next 20 years. Bulgaria’s energy consumption will double in the next 20 years and the country’s energy strategy will depend on a choice made between two main scenarios, pointed out the expert. The first scenario is that a political elite will made the important decisions regarding Bulgaria’s energy policy, while the second one is that a business elite will be in charge of the country’s energy strategy. Bulgaria’s increased demand for electricity in the future will be either met by nuclear power and natural gas, if politicians will make the calls, or by coal-fired plants, which will become main sources of energy , if it’s up to business to make the decisions on energy development, said Thomas. In both cases, Bulgaria could benefit from developing further its renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power , but especially biomass , because biomass is available essentially everywhere in the country, pointed out the expert. – See more at: http://www.novinite….h.ojP7rXjw.dpuf Continue reading
Biochar Symposium Scheduled For Oct. 13-16
U.S. Biochar Initiative September 9, 2013 Biochar has the potential to increase crop yields and nutrient value, conserve water, combat climate change, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, according to the U.S. Biochar Initiative (USBI). The problem is that relatively few people have heard of biochar, a form of charcoal that can help restore soil carbon, filter stormwater runoff, and reduce greenhouse gasses. Farmers, foresters, researchers, biochar producers, entrepreneurs, and environmentalists will convene in Amherst, Mass. on October 13-16, 2013 to learn more about biochar and share the latest research and application techniques with their peers. The 2013 USBI North American Biochar Symposium, titled “Harvesting Hope: The Science and Synergies of Biochar,” will take place on the UMass Amherst campus and include farm tours and a “carbon negative” banquet of delicious foods grown with the help of biochar. The conference is sponsored by USBI. “The biochar industry is turning waste into ‘black gold’ for agriculture,” stated conference director, Karen Ribeiro. “Biothermal energy companies are extracting the biochar as a byproduct and selling it. Farmers are enriching their soil by adding biochar. The biochar-enriched soil is sequestering carbon, which can reverse the carbon build-up in the atmosphere,” she added. “The biochar movement is heating up,” Ribeiro said. “Biochar producers are reaching a point of profitability. Everyone wants biochar to scale up faster, from the gardener who’s creating their own biochar in a cookstove to companies like Cool Planet Energy Systems, which has attracted investors like BP, Google Ventures, and ConocoPhillips.” She added, “The symposium is a space where activists and investors can find common ground.” The conference will feature keynotes by Congressman James McGovern and renowned author Frances Moore Lappe, as well as a plenary with international biochar authority Johannes Lehmann of Cornell University. Activities will range from an introductory half-day workshop for farmers and gardeners on Sunday, Oct. 13, that is open to the public to presentations from scientists and researchers from around the globe. “Expanding the use of biochar can simultaneously help address food security, conserve water and reduce our dependence on fossil fuel,” said Ted Wysocki, chair of the Pioneer Valley Biochar Initiative, which is hosting the conference. “We need to get more people and companies involved. So in addition to the tracks on the science and benefits of biochar, policy and community engagement, and feedstocks and production, we’ve got an entire track focused on scale, sales and marketing,” Wysocki said. Attendees won’t just be talking about biochar, they’ll be chewing on information at a “carbon negative” banquet on Monday, Oct. 14, from 5-9 p.m. at UMass, which is also open to the public. “Our ‘Biochar Banquet’ will feature delicious local produce grown in biochar-conditioned soil, as well as a variety of local meat and ‘adult beverages’ enhanced by biochar,” Wysocki explained. The public is also invited to a free Video Lounge featuring Ted Talks, feature films, and select YouTube videos on Oct. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and on Oct.r 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. To view the conference schedule, visit http://scholarworks….u/biochar/2013/ . To register, go to http://symposium2013…ar.org/register . Continue reading
