September 19, 2012 - 8:20am
A panel of four experts will discuss the challenges and potential for bioenergy production in BC at a free public forum hosted by Vancouver Island University Thursday, Sept. 27.
“The world needs energy sources, but there are always tradeoffs,” said Greg Crawford, VIU’s Dean of Science and Technology. “Bioenergy is one area of energy we, as a society, need to think about. This forum will be a terrific opportunity to learn more about local and regional developments in this field.”
Speaker Michael Weedon, Executive Director of the not-for-profit BC Bioenergy Network, will outline the Network’s role in fostering and supporting Bioenergy Leadership in BC and developing a world class bioenergy industry.
Dr. Bryan Imber, an environmental scientist and innovator, will discuss the development of biofuel from organic waste to energy. Imber holds eight patents in the areas of mineral exploration, composting and cancer diagnostics.
Panelist Paul Liddy, representing the Nanaimo Bioenergy Centre and Cedar Road BioEnergy, will present an overview of methane as a fuel for community economic development.
David Lokhorst, Vice President and co-founder of Poncho Wilcox Energy, is a professional engineer who leads the development and commercialization of new technologies. His company has the rights to a new process for production of biochar and ‘syngas’ from biomass. Lokhorst will describe the technology and discuss unique challenges Poncho Wilcox Energy is facing to commercialize the new product in BC.
The BC Bioenergy Network was established in April 2008 with a $25 million grant from the BC government.
The public forum is presented by the Discovery Foundation Technology Education Program, and hosted by VIU’s Science and Technology department. Support also comes from Simon Fraser University, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, GreenTech Exchange, and others.
The forum takes place Thursday, Sept. 27 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus in Building 355, Room 203. Registration begins at 5:30 pm, with the panel discussion from 6 to 7:30 pm.
For information, go to www.greentechexchange.ca
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Tags: In the Community
