On May 27, 2019, the doors opened at the Lisbon Conference Centre in Lisbon, Portugal for the 27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE). A record edition, as over 1 600 delegates from almost 80 countries converged at the riverside venue with the hum of the "Ponte 25 de Abril" in the background.
Although only halfway through the four day do when excluding the optional technical tours, preliminary figures from the organisers ETA Florence with support from WIP Munich, count over 1 600 delegates from almost 80 countries along with 43 exhibitors.
At face value, these numbers may not seem such a big deal. However, the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) now in its 27th edition, has long since become a world leading event for the biomass and bioenergy sectors as it aims to highlight the scientific achievements and the key role of the technology developers and industry across all sessions and topics of the comprehensive programme.
A programme that is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) while the event is supported by European and international organizations such as the European Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO – Natural Sciences Sector), World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA), Central European Initiative (CEI), Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), Biofuels Platform, Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB), Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) amongst others.
In short, EUBCE is a global forum for exchanging academic and scientific knowledge, debating policy options and addressing innovation with peers in an open process. The 1 105 contributions received for the 27th EUBCE came from 75 countries and are now being presented in 281 keynote plenary and oral presentations.
As advocate press – a trade publication with a clear bias towards biomass for energy done right – and longtime media partner to EUBCE, these numbers are heartening, especially in a time of “alternative facts”, climate denial, dogmatic and diametrically opposed opinions on the use of biomass.
I do not pretend to understand the content of each and every paper, visual presentation or oral discussion. Indeed, EUBCE can be quite overwhelming for someone that does not have advanced degrees in relevant sciences or academic disciplines.
However, and more to the point, the fact that there is a rigorous academic peer review procedure behind the selection process means I do not have to. Provided of course that I am willing as a non-expert layperson to accept that the science-based results may not be to my particular liking or are contrary to personal belief.
