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Sustainability is the key - Biofuel Summits & Expos 2008 for Sustainable Biofuels: International roadshow on the future of biofuels
The future of biofuels will be determined neither by the “bio” aspect nor by the “renewable” factor but by their sustainability. This is the view taken by Bielefeld-based Survey Marketing + Consulting GmbH & Co. KG, organizer of a worldwide series of conferences for 2008. The five Biofuel Summits & Expos for Sustainable Biofuels are set to contribute to sharpening our perspective on the real shifts wrought by the biofuels industry.
The curtain went up on this series of events in April last year with a very successful first Biofuel Summit in Madrid, and discussions are set to continue in April 2008 at the second summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, with a return to Madrid for the third event. In the second half of the year, numbers four, five and six follow on in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires in October, in Rimini in Italy in November and finally in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul at the end of the year.Growth in biofuels market
There’s a great deal to be said for using biofuels. As biodiesel and petrol substitute, bioethanol, are manufactured from renewable raw materials such as oilseed rape, sugar cane and cereals, less climate-damaging carbon dioxide is released when used in combustion engines. The market for biofuels grows steadily against a background of climate change and crude oil dependency. The biofuels share of the energy market in Germany is set to increase to 6.25 per cent in 2009 and then gradually reach 8 per cent by 2015. By 2020, the proportion should increase to 17 per cent. Europe’s farmers regard this as a potential additional source of revenue while newly industrialized countries and developing countries perceive an opportunity to acquire the necessary resources in this market to support their own internal development needs.Biofuels are therefore in the ascendant and at first glance appear to be a secure industry. However, the first problems are becoming apparent. First generation biofuels do not fulfill the requirements needed to achieve a higher dose mix. And the development of second generation biofuels has not yet reached the stage where it can be brought in as a much-needed substitute. Moreover, the research is still in its infancy. Only recently was a joint initiative for bio-energy research launched in North Rhine-Westphalia, albeit once it had been established that the economic success of the industry had already overtaken the research.
Shifting the problems
For most countries, it is also the case that the targets for the proportion of biofuels to be supplied cannot be achieved from domestic resources alone – not even with the additional cultivation of unused agricultural land. Quite apart from this, under no circumstances should biofuels production ever compete with food production, which would result in higher food prices. It’s another reason why experts have great hopes for second generation biofuels. Nevertheless, initially, it will be impossible to avoid importing biofuels. And the problems have already been transferred to supplier countries: while Brazil replaces the rainforest with sugarcane plantations, in Indonesia primary forests are being cleared in order to cultivate palm oil plants on a grand scale.Briefly visiting just a few of the key issues surrounding biofuels illustrates the complexity and existential nature of the problems. The Sustainable Biofuel Summits & Expos 2008 provide an opportunity for all those involved to discuss openly, find out more and share experience with others. Taking center-stage will be the availability of sustainable raw materials, technological progress, monitoring and accreditation systems as well as the social aspects. In addition and in parallel to all the summits is the Expo exhibition area, where industry, commerce, researchers and organizations can catch up on the latest developments.
Full information on deadlines and advice for those interested in participating in the Sustainable Biofuel Summits & Expos 2008 is available online at www.biofuelsummit.info. There is also an opportunity for visitors to the site to enter into direct contact with stakeholders, industry partners, associations and other institutions through the various forums.