With less than a fortnight to go, the upcoming Bio360 Expo in Nantes, France is heating up. With some 8 000 visitors expected over the two-day conference and tradeshow, anticipation is running high. Not least on account of the ongoing geopolitical tragedy unfolding on Europe's eastern borders.
Organized annually by Bioenergy Events (BEES), this year’s edition of Bio360 Expo is taking place March 30-31, 2022, two months later than its usual slot at the end of January.
The message is clear. It’s full steam ahead. We confirm the all-clear for Bio360 Expo 2022! We feel it every day talking to people. There is a palpable anticipation in the air to get back together again, to chat around the table, exchange ideas spontaneously, face-to-face. We’re in full flow for Nantes March 30-31, and looking forward to seeing you there, commented a relieved Paul Stuart, Director of Bio360 Expo on February 10, 2022, alluding to the Europe-wide relaxation of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions.
Since then, however, Russia’s illegitimate invasion of Ukraine has undoubtedly added a palpable sense of urgency. Along with the humanitarian crisis, renewable energy and energy security issues are now top of mind, and not just in a fossil gas, and uranium dependent France but throughout Europe.
Bilateral focus on woody biomass
The event also consists of a series of conferences that delve into a range of topics key for the further development of the bioenergy sector, a panorama of some of the buzz innovations coming to market. Amongst others, perspectives on biomass gasification, biomethane reforming to green hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), electro-fuels (eFuels).
As in the previous edition in 2020, Swedish Bioenergy Climate Solutions (SBCS) – a platform focusing on the internationalization of Swedish bioenergy technology and knowledge – will be present with ten Swedish companies at Bio360 Expo.
These company reps will showcase innovative bioenergy and district heat (DH) related solutions including recycling biomass energy, increasing thermal efficiencies, utilization of local residual heat to generate electricity to mention a few.
Administered by a joint secretariat, RISE Research Institute of Sweden is the platform leader and, together with the Swedish Bioenergy Association (SVEBIO), and the Swedish Pellet Association, is responsible for the staffing.
The choice of companies is relevant. Like in Sweden, energy from solid biomass – woody biomass, agri-residues, and non-recyclable waste streams currently make up the largest contribution to renewable energy production in France today.
Wood energy alone contributes 36 percent to this total. While Sweden has 63 percent forest cover (Eurostat 2020), just over double the 31 percent forest cover in France, in terms of area the difference is just over 1 million ha – Sweden with 27.9 million hectares (ha) and France with 17.2 million ha.
Carbon neutral, locally-sourced energy on our doorsteps offering local employment and energy security, biomass energy’s place is a key component in the energy mix, ended Paul Stuart.
