World Bioenergy 2014 – three days with the spotlight on bioenergy
World Bioenergy is the leading global meeting place for everyone in the bioenergy sector – a focal point that is so much more than a trade fair. The world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers are present, and this year’s edition of World Bioenergy offers a multitude of interesting conferences, field trips and workshops under the slogan “Taking You from Know How to Show How”.
World Bioenergy is held every second year and is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Exhibitors and visitor from about 50 countries around the world are in Jönköping from 3 to 5 June to present and learn about innovations in the sector, participate in corporate matchmaking events and attend the extensive conference programme. World Bioenergy is the event that is equally a trade fair for products and services and a conference with active participation. The extensive conference programme is closely tied to both practically oriented field trips and problem-solving workshops where participants contribute know-how based on their own experiences.
His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip opens World Bioenergy just after 9 a.m. on Tuesday 3 June. During Tuesday’s opening session, Professor Jean-Pascal van Ypersele of IPCC in Belgium speaks about bioenergy’s role in facing the challenge of climate change. Michael McAdams, President World Bioenergy Association, Austria, talks about the future development of the biofuel market. Stefan Löfven, leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, discusses the route to a sustainable society.
Award ceremony with lecture
Tuesday’s opening ceremony also includes the presentation of the prestigious World Bioenergy Award. The prize goes to one of the people around the world who have been nominated for their contribution to bioenergy’s development and use, and the award winner is announced during the opening ceremony. The World Bioenergy Award is a collaboration between World Bioenergy 2014 and the World Bioenergy Association. Upon receiving the award, the winner will give a speech about his/her work.
Professionals from the energy sector are not the only visitors to World Bioenergy. Another large category of visitors is the forest industry, with its great bioenergy potential both for the efficient use of by-products and for dedicated energy production. Other large visitor groups are technology suppliers, the transport sector and traditional industry.
Sweden a major bioenergy player
Sweden is a global leader in bioenergy. Bioenergy is the country’s biggest source of energy at 33.6 percent, compared with 26.4 percent for fossil products. Bioenergy overtook fossil products as early as 2010. Sweden is also far advanced in Europe in terms of all types of renewable energy with no less than 51 percent, and has thereby surpassed the 50 percent target set by the Swedish government to be reached by 2020.
“Bioenergy is already a large part of everyday life in Sweden,” comments Klas Brandt, Exhibition Manager, World Bioenergy. “The high proportion of repeat visitors to World Bioenergy also demonstrates the interest in and potential of the bioenergy market, both from an energy and environmental perspective and also as a form of environmentally sustainable energy production.”
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