Conference "Biomass to Power and Heat"

In June, Saxony’s Minister of the Environment and Agriculture, Thomas Schmidt, together with the president of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Albrecht, and the conference director, Prof. Zschunke, opened the “Biomass to Power and Heat” conference.

The “Biomass to Power and Heat” conference was first held in 2011 under the name “Electric Power from Biomass.” It originated from a session on biomass utilization in 2008 and has developed over the past five years into a mainstay in the field of energy-based biomass utilization. This year, the focus was primarily on developing cooperation with neighboring countries to the east.

The event welcomed nearly 90 participants, who primarily discussed issues related to the efficient use of solid biomass for energy. The related issues of decentralized electricity and heat generation from biomass were explored by the speakers from many different perspectives, thereby laying the groundwork for lively discussions during the breaks. On the one hand, possibilities for sustainable biomass supply were presented, and on the other, risks associated with storage and developments in conversion processes were discussed. Another key focus was the use of biomass for energy through concepts ranging from Stirling engines to control and monitoring systems designed to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. In addition, representatives from the University of Prague presented the activities currently underway in the Czech Republic regarding the use of biomass for energy. The concluding session, in turn, dealt directly with technical solutions and issues related to the thermochemical conversion of biomass.

The speakers had traveled from all over Germany, as well as from the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, and even Brazil. They primarily represented privately and publicly funded research institutions, as well as federal and state agencies specializing in the field.

In parallel with the plenary session, various companies and associations presented themselves this year at small exhibition booths, providing conference participants with additional opportunities to ask detailed questions and offer suggestions.

The main focus of the event has always been the intensive exchange between science and practice—an added value that is appreciated both by the practice-oriented researchers at Zittau University of Applied Sciences/Görlitz as well as by those companies and institutions that deal with the topic of energy from biomass on a daily basis in a very practical way.

Following the symposium, a conference proceedings volume will be compiled and published in collaboration with the individual speakers. The organizers intend to hold further events on this topic at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the coming years.

Organizational and financial support was provided by the following partners and sponsors:

• Program support from the “Energy Use of Biomass” funding program
• Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Zittau Office
• Renewable Energy Promotion Association, Inc.
• Consulate General of the Czech Republic
• Energy Saxony e.V.
• Holzenergie Wegscheid GmbH
• Spanner Re² GmbH
• Burkhardt GmbH