CBM Network Event: Social and Political Challenges for the Bioeconomy, 8-9 Dec 16, Sheffield

The above event explores the challenges facing the bioeconomy related to rapid scientific, technological and social change. It brings together UK industrial biotechnology leaders and academics to discuss grand challenges  and then hopes to forge new collaborations between delegates, who will go on to apply for funding to begin to solve these problems. Further details and registration can be found here.

AD and Biotechnology Training Courses

Here are a list of courses on anaerobic digestion and biotechnology.

Listed below are a number of courses relevant to our AD Network members

As part of the BBSRC-funded Advanced Training Partnership (ATP), Aberystwyth University (IBERS) in conjunction with Bangor University and NIAB offer a 12 week training program in AD. ATPs offer postgraduate level training to employees working in UK agri-food industries. Bursaries are available for 20-80% of the cost on a first-come-first-served basis and more information can be found here

On- Farm Anaerobic Digestion (AD) – next start date is May 2017.

This 12 week module will explore the role of anaerobic digestion (AD) as an important technology to improve the sustainability of the food production system. AD can be used to produce renewable energy, while the remaining digestates can act as a bio-fertilizer. The focus of the module is on the use of farm-scale AD to treat wastes, manures and crops. The module covers technical aspects of AD, but focusses on environmental and economic sustainability of different AD deployment options, including: choice of feedstock, alternative uses of biomethane and digestate, and indirect consequences of AD on food production, waste management and energy generation. Pertinent policies, regulations, and planning issues driving and constraining AD are considered. The application of AD in industrialised and industrialising countries will be explored. See: http://www.atp-pasture.org.uk/en/study-options/distance-learning-modules/anaerobic-digestion-ad-distance-learning-course/ .

University College London run a series of modules of interest to Industrialists and Scientists. The MBI® courses are UCL-accredited short courses in bioprocessing, designed specifically for industrialists, that can be taken as stand-alone modules or can be combined for Certificate, Diploma or Masters qualifications. Examples include: Design of Experiments for Bioprocess Optimisation, Industrial Biotechnology: Biocatalysis through to Synthetic Biology, Analytical Data Analysis for the Bioprocessing Industry etc.  Take a look at what is on offer at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biochemeng/industry/mbi/courses .

The University of Cranfield runs a course aimed at operators – Anaerobic Digestion of Waste. See: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/courses/short/energy-and-power/anaerobic-digestion-of-waste .

FERA run a number of courses, some of which may be relevant to our members (e.g. courses on Advanced Chemical Residues, Traditional Microbiology etc.) See: http://fera.co.uk/training/ for details.

AquaEnviro run a number of courses directly relevant to AD practitioners. See: http://www.aquaenviro.co.uk/events/training/ for details.

Abertay University has run a course on Intensive Biogas Training in the past and offers bespoke training courses if you are interested in commissioning something specialist. See: http://uwtc.abertay.ac.uk/research/anaerobicdigestion/educationtraining/

Remember to look at our Secondment funds (see website) if you are thinking of brushing up your skills. We might be able to assist, so do contact us!

C1 Network Produces report on gas fermentation

C1 Net commissioned E4Tech to produce a report entitled “The commercial and strategic opportunity offered by gas fermentation in the UK”. The report notes that there are pre commercial plants operating in China, Taiwan, the USA and Japan, but that the UK is well positioned to take advantage of the technology because of its strong capabilities in gas fermentation, coupled with research strengths in microbiology, synthetic biology and process engineering.

The report can be downloaded here and C1 Net are happy to see as wide a distribution as possible.

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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED to 10 JUL 16 – BIOGAS SCIENCE, SZEGED, HUNGARY

The local organising committee of Biogas Science 2016 to be held in Szeged, Hungary from 21-24 Aug 16 has extended the deadline for abstracts to 10 July, so there is still time to submit to this prestigious conference.

Note that ECR members of the AD Network can apply to us for travel vouchers to help defray the cost of attending this event – have a look on the website or contact us.

Brazil Newton Fund Researcher Links Workshop – Water, Sanitation, Energy Nexus – 13-16 Sep 16

Under the Researcher Links scheme offered within the Newton Fund, University College London and the Instituto Federal de Goias will be holding a workshop on the Water, Sanitation and Energy Nexus Research Initiative in Goiania, Brazil from 13 to 16 September 2016.The workshop aims to promote decentralized closed-loop water and wastewater systems to reduce waste and recover energy and nutrients. The scheme is open to Early Career Researcher.

More information can be found here or by contacting Dr Luiza Campos (l.campos@ucl.ac.uk). The deadline for applications is 10 July 16.

DECC Feed-in Tariff Consultation Announced

DECC recently launched the Feed-in Tariff consultation on support for anaerobic digestion and micro-combined heat and power which may be of interest to Network members. As well as consulting on tariff levels and degression structures,  the consultation also includes proposals to introduce sustainability criteria for feedstocks used in anaerobic digestion.

The AD Bioresources Association has commented on this consultation, as have the Renewable Energy Association who called the cuts ‘severe’.

Using Digestate on Farmland – 17th June 2016, Driffield

AD digestate can be used as a low-cost, sustainable source of crop fertiliser and organic matter. This half-day workshop will explore the issues and latest developments around using digestate on farmland, followed by a networking lunch and optional tour of the GWE Biogas facility. The event is organised by the Biovale Cluster AD Special Interest Group, which is open to members from across the sector focusing on plant operation and efficiency. Please find the programme details and tickets on Eventbrite.

Biochemical Society – Opportunity to join Training Theme Panel

The Biochemcial Society are currently recruiting for members to join their new Training Theme Panel and are particularly keen to encourage applications from those working in industry.

The Training Theme Panel will lead on developing and delivering the Society’s training strategy for graduate level and above in industry and academia. Committee members will be involved in investigating, encouraging, reviewing and commissioning training events.

The group will meet twice a year in person, with two further meetings carried out by teleconference. Members who are unable to join the face to face meetings in person may also be able to dial in to join these meetings.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.biochemistry.org/aboutus/Committeesgovernance

To find out more about the Society’s training programme, please visit www.biochemistry.org/training.

The deadline for applications to join the Training Theme Panel is 16 June 2016.

 

Job Opportunity: Researcher and Development Engineer, Fiberight

Fiberight have created a circular economy solution to generate value-added products from municipal solid wastes (MSW). The process involves thermo-mechanically treating the waste to recover 2 main fractions: recyclables and biomass. This biomass is then further processed to generate a soluble organic stream for anaerobic digestion (AD); and a clean solid ligonocellulose fibre (paper pulp) which is converted to platform-sugars via enzyme hydrolysis. All bio outputs are used as chemical building blocks in the production of higher value-added products such as bio-resins, bio-coatings, bio-plastics, biofuels and bioenergy.

Fiberight require a Researcher and Development Engineer to run a small scale pilot facility for the project and carry out standard lab analyses such as pH, COD, gas production, TS/VS and sugar analysis. Applications are open until 1 Jul 16 and the role commences on 1 Aug 16. This is a 12 month initial contract based in Southampton, with a salary range of £23-£30K p.a dependant upon experience. Further details can be found here.