Our VFA Factory Working Group Chair, Dr Claudio Avignone-Rossa from the University of Surrey, along with Prof Hugo Gramajo of Aregentina’s National University of Rosario is holding a Synthetic Biology for Biotechnology and Bioenergy Workshop on 7-8 September at the University of Surrey. This Workshop is part of the activities of a BBSRC Continue reading “Synthetic Biology for Biotechnology and Bioenergy Workshop – University of Surrey – 7/8 Sep 15”
Author: Angela Bywater
Ligno-cellulosic feedstock in the UK
The LB Network in conjunction with the NNFCC have published a report on non foodcrop Ligno-cellulosic feedstocks in the UK which could be available to support biorefineries. This is an excellent piece of work and can be downloaded here: http://lb-net.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/LBNet-Lignocellulosic-feedstock-in-the-UK.pdf
IB Catalyst Round 4 – Apply Now!
Our AD Network now features the latest information on the IB Catalyst Round 4 which closes in August. IB catalyst is directly relevant to the AD world and anyone interested is encouraged to apply. Remember that the AD Network can help fund meetings in order to formulate/put together bids. Contact us for more information.
How Bioscience Benefits the UK Economy
Two independent reports from Capital Economics have been published which highlight how bioscience is benefitting the UK economy. The press release and reports can be found on the BBSRC website here:
Value of AD Research Recognised with AD Ambassador Award
Leaders across the anaerobic digestion industry met earlier this month for the fourth annual UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards held at the Birmingham NEC.
Angela Bywater, Network co-Manager of the BBSRC-funded Anaerobic Digestion was amongst those recognised for their contribution to the industry, receiving an ADBA Industry Ambassador Award for her work in championing the AD industry’s interests and, in particular, the value of research and development.
ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said “There has been a lot of exceptional hard work by dedicated professionals over the past five years, all aimed at scaling our industry. Today the AD industry boasts 400 biogas plants, which together deliver an electrical equivalent capacity of almost 480 megawatts – equivalent to the capacity of one of the nuclear power plants, Wyfla, which is being decommissioned this year.“ She added that, with these awards, “We’re honoured to recognise the greatest contributors to those sector triumphs that have developed AD as an established, proven technology.”
The Anaerobic Digestion Network is one of 13 BBSRC funded Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy and is led by Professor Charles Banks of the University of Southampton and Professor Orkun Soyer from the University of Warwick. The AD Network provides research funding accessible to business and academia, as well as running low cost/free networking and information dissemination events for anyone interested in innovation and research in the field of Anaerobic Digestion. Membership is free to all. More information can be found at www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com/.
Early Career Researchers Win at AD Network Event
Nearly 50 researchers from 17 universities came together on 29-30 Jun 15 at the University of Warwick in order to discuss their cutting edge research. Find out about the winning researchers and prize categories…
Nearly 50 researchers from 17 universities came together on 29-30 Jun 15 at the University of Warwick in order to discuss their cutting edge research. Whilst having a common theme of anaerobic digestion, subject matter varied widely, from pot ale to bioelectrochemistry and metagenomics, with everything else in between. info and photos ….
IEA Bioenergy Task 37 Country Reports Summary 2014
For those of you not aware of this, the IEA Task 37 website has a number of useful resources, not least of which are the Country Reports which summarise activity in member countries over the given period.
Task 37 members recently published an annual summary of their Country Reports for 2014. The individual country reports include information on the number of biogas plants in operation, biogas production data, biogas utilisation, number of upgrading plants, number of vehicles using biomethane as fuel, details of financial support mechanisms and some information on key national research and development projects.
Biogas in smart energy grids
Task 37 recently published a technical brochure on “A perspective on the potential role of biogas in smart energy grids”. Increased generation of electricity from wind and solar installations is leading to challenges in terms of balancing electricity demand with supply and managing the increasing occurrences of surplus electricity. Biogas systems can facilitate increased proportions of variable renewable electricity on the electricity grid mainly through use of two different technologies: demand driven biogas systems which increase production of electricity from biogas facilities at times of high demand for electricity, or temporary storage of biogas at times of low electricity demand; and power to gas (P2G) systems when demand for electricity is less than supply of electricity to the electricity grid, allowing conversion of surplus electricity to methane.
Newton Fund UK – China – Philippines – Thailand – Vietnam joint call
The Newton Fund UK-China-Philippines-Thailand-Vietnam call for collaborative research proposals in rice research has now been launched: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/rice
One aspect of this call that may be of particular interest is “Utilisation of rice by-products” with Vietnam and the Philippines.
Please promote this to your Network members, any queries can be directed to the BBSRC Newton Fund email inbox newton.fund@bbsrc.ac.uk
Please note that the deadline for applications is 4pm GMT 13 August 2015
LB Net Early Stage Career Workshop – 8-10 July 2015, Redworth Hall, Darlington
If you are in the last year of your PhD or you are a postdoctoral researcher within 3 years of completing your PhD do not miss this opportunity to engage with experts from industry and academia in the lignocellulosic biorefinery area and take part in a creativity workshop aimed at inspiring researchers to recognise the potential for innovation and research in the area of industrial biotechnology and  lignocellulosic biomass.
Take part in this 3-day workshop, where a series of inspirational talks are planned. Participants are expected to form teams and develop innovative and competitive ideas for funding. Mentors from industry and academia will be there to support delegates. This is a great opportunity to mix with like minded researchers and be guided in how to develop creative research into competitive proposals and entrepreneurial ventures. The workshop is led by Dr Edward Green, founder of Green Biologics and Chain Biotechnology and the aim is to encourage creative and innovative thinking.
Register by completing the LB Net application form and returning it to veronica.ongaro@york.ac.uk