HARVESTING CLEAN ENERGY VII
January 29-30, 2007
Doubletree Hotel Boise – Riverside
Boise, Idaho
Details: http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/conference/

POWER-GEN RENEWABLE ENERGY & FUELS 2007
March 6-8, 2007
Las Vegas, NV
Details: http://pgre07.events.pennnet.com/fl/index.cfm

15TH EUROPEAN BIOMASS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
From Research to Market Deployment - Biomass for Energy, Industry and Climate Protection
May 7-11, 2007
Berlin, Germany
Details: http://www.conference-biomass.com/Biomass_2007/welcome.asp

SUCCESS AND VISIONS FOR BIOENERGY
March 22-23, 2007
Salzburg, Austria
Details: http://www.berg2005.inter-base.net/docs/biosuccess_leaflet.pdf

BIOENERGY: A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY INDUSTRIES
Atlantic Canada's Bioenergy Conference
May 9-11, 2007
Saint John, NB
Details:  Kevin.Shiell@gnb.ca

EECO 2007 ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY CONFERENCE
June 19-20, 2007
Toronto, ON
Details: http://www.eeco2007.com/

DEPOSITION ISSUES
Larry Baxter, Brigham Young University
Ash deposition impacts nearly every solid-fuel-fired boiler in major ways.  In the case of biomass-coal cofiring, ash deposition problems may be significantly aggravated or somewhat moderated by the biomass component of the fuel.
Web site: http://www2.et.byu.edu:8080/~larryb/issue1.htm

DISTILLERY DEMAND FOR GRAIN TO FUEL CARS VASTLY UNDERSTATED
World May Be Facing Highest Grain Prices in History
Lester R. Brown
Earth Policy Institute, January 4, 2007
Investment in fuel ethanol distilleries has soared since the late-2005 oil price hikes, but data collection in this fast-changing sector has fallen behind. Because of inadequate data collection on the number of new plants under construction, the quantity of grain that will be needed for fuel ethanol distilleries has been vastly understated. Farmers, feeders, food processors, ethanol investors, and grain-importing countries are basing decisions on incomplete data.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that distilleries will require only 60 million tons of corn from the 2008 harvest. But Earth Policy Institute (EPI) estimates that distilleries will need 139 million tons—more than twice as much.
* Read more: http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update63.htm

IS ETHANOL FOR THE LONG HAUL?
M. Wald
Scientific American, January 2007, p. 42
Ethanol could displace gasoline -- but not until they can move beyond corn kernels to include corn stalks and reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce.  Some studies say that refining a gallon of ethanol takes more energy than it provides when combusted.
* Read more: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=9349BB10-E7F2-99DF-3A5B6177D3B5B9BD

MIXED PRAIRIE GRASSES BETTER SOURCE OF BIOFUEL THAN CORN ETHANOL AND SOYBEAN BIODIESEL
Press Release
National Science Foundation, Decemer 7, 2006
If you've been wondering just which crop would be the best bio-fuel for Manitoba, a new study led by David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, shows that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per acre than corn grain ethanol or soybean biodiesel and are far better for the environment. Fuels made from prairie biomass reduce carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere.
* Read more: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=108206&org=NSF&from=news

REDESIGNING CROPS TO HARVEST FUEL
Andrew Pollack
New York Times, September 6, 2006
Crop scientists, seed, and biotechnology companies see the current energy issues as an opportunity for developing crops tailored for use in ethanol and other biofuels.  This article outlines what some companies are working on in this area.  Besides corn, one company is working on turning prairie switch grass into an energy crop.
* Read more: http://www.ceresbiotech.com/pdf/NYTimes090806.pdf

WORLD FIRST WILD ALGAE BIO-DIESEL TESTED
Globe-Net News, December 30, 2006
There's a use for all the algae from the prairie lakes.  The world's first wild algae bio-diesel fuel, produced in New Zealand by Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation, has been successfully used during a test drive.
* Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/new_products/print.cfm?ID_Report=1104
Additional information: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/12/test_drive_of_a.html

BIODIESEL DEMONSTRATION PILOT FOR ALBERTA
Globe-Net News, December 22, 2006
A biodiesel demonstration project planned for Alberta will seek to address quality issues related to the renewable fuel in anticipation of upcoming federal diesel blending regulations. The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute are leading the Alberta Biodiesel Demonstration Project.
* Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/news/print.cfm?ID_News=2515

CANADA AND ALBERTA ARE LAGGING BEHIND THE WORLD'S DEVELOPED NATIONS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY, BUT A SLUMBERING GIANT MAY BE STARTING TO WAKE
Swihart, Ric
Lethbridge Herald, January 8, 2007
Matthew Machielse, director of bio-industrials technologies division of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development states that if seven projects seeking the green light in Alberta proceed, this province would meet its goal of two per cent renewable energy use by 2007.

STREATCH PROPOSES BURNING QUARANTINED WOOD
Amy Pugsley
The (Halifax) Chronicle Herald, January 9, 2007
Coun. Steve Streatch proposes burning quarantined timber could mean a new source of income for Halifax woodlot owners facing bankruptcy from an expanded beetle zone.  Similar to B.C. and the pine beetle, Nova Scotia has been dealing with the brown spruce longhorn beetle.  Mr. Streatch is suggesting that using the forest products to make energy through burning or extraction for biofuel would be a way to replace lost income.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
U.S. Department of Energy
This web site is a wealth of information on various renewable energies, including biomass.  Sign up for their regular free newsletter.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/

ENERGY INDUSTRY TODAY: A NEWS SERVICE FOR ENERGY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Subscription based (free trial available)
http://energy.einnews.com/

RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD
Renewable Energy World magazine  contains the latest news and features on all aspects of renewable energy, including in-depth policy and market updates, project profiles, technology reports, company listings, information on renewable energy conventions and exhibitions, and much more. Areas covered include biomass, wind power generation, renewable heating and cooling (solar thermal, pellet boilers, solar air-conditioning etc.), photovoltaics and solar energy information, biofuels for transportation, concentrating solar thermal power, small hydro, rural electrification and ocean energy (e.g. wave and tidal power).
http://www.renewable-energy-world.com/

TASK 33: THERMAL GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS
IEA Bioenergy
The ultimate objective of Task 33 is to promote commercialization of efficient, economical, and environmentally preferable biomass gasification processes, for the production of electricity, heat, and steam, for the production of synthesis gas for subsequent conversion to chemicals, fertilizers, hydrogen and transportation fuels, and also for co-production of these products.  To that end, this web site contains a large amount of full-text publications, technology briefs, and presentations by experts on gasification technology and related topics.
http://www.gastechnology.org/webroot/app/xn/xd.aspx?it=enweb&xd=iea/homepage.xml

ONLINE BioEnergy Courses

FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOENERGY TECHNOLOGY AND BIOENERGY BUSINESS COURSE
Växjö University, Sweden
Växjö University has developed a distance learning course in bioenergy. The intention with the course is to spread their experience internationally, with establishing a bioenergy-based system. The course is therefore given in English. It is recommended to gather decision-makers and representatives for both industry and policy to take this course, in order to identify the potential for a bio-based energy system in a region, and then to carry it through.  The course covers: fundamental and economic aspects of fuel resources; fuel supply chains; fuel quality and upgrading; combustion/energy production; different examples of system solutions to produce heat, electricity and cooling.  The price for the course is 3500 SEK (just under $600 CA).
More information: http://www.fc.vxu.se/~bzebie/f_t_b_1.htm

SMALL-SCALE COGENERATION - ONLINE SEMINAR
January 22, 2007 and April 9, 2007
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) presents an interactive program you can complete over the Internet right from your computer, with two-way live audio via your telephone.  You'll learn how to go about planning, designing and implementing cogeneration and on-site power projects, both to insure your own power supply, and potentially as a player in the growing distributed generation marketplace.
More information: http://www.aeecenter.org/realtime/cogen/

AGRICULTURAL BIOPRODUCTS INNOVATION PROGRAM
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The ABIP is a $145 million, multi-year program designed to support new and existing research networks and encourage the development of clusters for the advancement of a sustainable and profitable Canadian bioeconomy.  The program seeks to increase the exploitation of Canada's natural advantage in biomass to develop new economic opportunities for  agriculture in the areas of bioproducts and bioprocesses such as biofuels, other forms of bioenergy, biochemicals, biopharmaceuticals, etc.
* For eligibility and funding details: http://www.agr.gc.ca/sci/abip-piba/index_e.php

BIOFUELS REGULATIONS AND FUNDING ANNOUNCED
Globe-Net News, December 21, 2006
Canada will establish minimum renewable fuel content levels for gasoline and biodiesel by 2010 and 2012 respectively, and the federal government will provide $345 million to help farmers and rural communities enter the biofuels market, Environment Minister Rona Ambrose has announced.  The $200 million Capital Formation Assistance Program for Renewable Fuels Production will provide incentives for agricultural producers to participate in new renewable fuels projects, starting on April 1, 2007.
* Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2511&CID=8
Interested parties may call 613-759-6175 for more information.

PROVINCE COMMITS $300,000 FOR BIOGAS RESEARCH ON MANITOBA HOG FARMS
Manitoba Government News Release, December 20, 2006
A new program will provide $300,000 to support the construction and feasibility assessment of anaerobic digesters at three Manitoba hog operations.  Anaerobic digestion is a process that breaks down manure components producing biogas which can be used as a heating source or for the generation of electricity.
* Read more: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2006-12-01&item=641

There is SO MUCH INFORMATION!  How can I stay up to date?

One of the easiest ways to stay up to date on specific information, and eliminate those ineffective web searches with 20,000 results, is to create an alert.  Most Internet search engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo) have some type of feature that allows you to specify terms and or phrases about which you would like to know when new information is made available. 

Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.

Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

• monitoring a developing news story
• keeping current on a competitor or industry
• getting the latest on a celebrity or event
• keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

Simply follow the link to Google Alerts.  In the setup box:

• type the term you want to monitor (e.g., switch grass pellets)
• select what sources you want the results to come from (includes News, Blogs, Web, Groups, Comprehensive). HINT: on very broad topics, you may want to select only results from News
• select how frequently you want to receive the alert (once a day, as-it-happens, once a week)
• put your e-mail address where you want to receive the alert you set up

Things to note:

• These alerts are only as good as the specificity of the terms you put in the alert
• Remember, it is still just a search engine; so the results are only from the web, and, in the case of Google, the results come from Google’s news service, so there are limitations.
• Therefore, if you are looking for detailed information, reports, articles, research, you may have to contact an expert or have a librarian help you locate it.

To make it easier to manage your alerts (add, edit, or delete), you may want to create a free Google account.

With a Google Account you can:

• Create Alerts without email verification
• Change how often an alert is emailed
• Access other Google products like Answers, Google Groups and more!

Google Alerts setup: http://www.google.com/alerts?hl=en
Google Alerts FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): http://www.google.ca/alerts/faq.html?hl=en
Google Accounts: https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount?hl=en

Just so you know, Google assures their users, “Your email address will never be shared, traded, sold, delivered, revealed, publicized, or marketed in any way, shape, or form.”