With three weeks to showtime, the 2024 edition of the annual European Pellet Conference (EPC), held as part of World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) in Wels, Austria is shaping up to be to be a topical event. To be held on March 6, 2024, this year's edition would seem to have a more distinct program with well-defined sessions providing a pellet 360 view.
With Russia’s ongoing war of attrition on Ukraine heading into its third year, 2023 too has been a challenging year for the European pellets industry – continued market fluctuations and supply chain issues albeit less volatile compared to 2022, undermined consumer confidence, European “primary woody biomass” discussions – were just some of the challenges.
The opening session aims to provide updates on policies and an outlook for 2024 while the following session focuses on how trust and acceptance for sustainable bioenergy can be restored through positive narratives and how pellets can be positioned as an important element of the energy transition.
What these narratives are, and how they can be framed in which channels, why, when, and by whom will no doubt make for lively and interesting discussions.
The traditional Pellet Innovation Session will highlight new results of R&D projects as well as the latest developments in the pellets and bioenergy sector.
Bear in mind that Austria is home to Europe’s largest concentration of pellet boiler OEMs, and has some very savvy pellet producers not least when it comes to technology application.
Technological innovations along the value chain from feedstock preparation, pellet production, supply, and distribution to successful showcases for an accelerated energy transition – spoiler alert “CCyes”.
The day wraps up with the equally traditional “World of Pellets” session with pellet market insights from around the globe provided by international in-the-market experts.
Coupled with the concurrent “WeBuild – Energiesparmesse” tradeshow that boasts a strong focus on pellet-related exhibitors, EPC/WSED is a comprehensive package with unique networking opportunities, something that the undersigned intends to make full use of to close out a pellet 360.
