Featuring insights from Dr. Sune Bengtsson, Dr. Anders Baudin and Dr. Marc Londo, key experts on the 3rd BTLtec summit’s panel, the webcast provided an insightful and in-depth view into the future of the BTL industry and the importance of BTL in meeting European and Global Energy needs.

The webcast swung into high gear with a focused discussion on the commercialization prospects for BTL. All three speakers agreed that first generation of BTL is already available, in terms of ethanol and Rape Methyl Ester (RME), and the markets for these products are growing.

Dr. Bengtsson added that the 5.75% target set by the EU for 2010 does not look achievable because the development of 2nd generation BTL fuel isn’t moving ahead as planned.

Dr. Marc Londo summed it up with a touch of humour when he described the commercial introduction of BTL as a ‘moving target I wish will stop moving’ but the general consensus among the optimistic panellists was that commercialisation for 2nd Generation BTL will be reached in 2015.

The discussion then touched on the new capabilities and advancements in the BTL industry. The latest developments in the industry were remarked on; Dr. Bengtsson and Dr. Baudin referred to the Chemrec & Volvo pilot plant for DME production from a 2MW Black Liquor Gassification plant in Piteå, Sweden as an important milestone. Dr. Londo went on to identify Choren’s “SIGMA” BTL Plant development project as a major industry landmark.

All three however agreed that the major barrier to the development of BTL still remains the extremely high cost of the initial investment.

The discussion moved on to zoom into the issue of feedstocks for the BTL industry. While all three speakers agreed that the forestry industry can supply the required feedstock for the short and medium term demand, Dr. Londo cautioned that idea of a long-term alternative feedstock for BTL needs careful evaluation, especially if the industry moves to adopt agricultural lingo-cellulosic feedstocks to meet the rapidly increasing demand for BTL fuels.

As the discussion shifted to cover the EU’s views on BTL, Dr. Londo started the ball rolling with his comment that the EU Vision and directives for BTL were not clear and the target setting was still under development.

Dr. Londo did however compliment the EU strategy of setting up a biofuels technology platform to encourage the development of 2nd generation biofuels and BioEnergy. However, the need for BTL technologies to reach commercialisation is especially critical as competition from other options like Jatropha, renewable hydrogen and electric fuel cell are also rapidly hurtling towards commercialisation.

As Dr. Anders Baudin said, “BTL is not THE solution but part of the solution to make our world a better place” thus summing up the speakers’ sentiments on the importance and future of Biomass-to-Liquids in the future, and nicely rounding off the discussion and setting the stage for the Question & Answer Session.

The Question & Answer session allowed for listeners to pose their questions to the three panellists via real time submission. Questions came from all over the world as listeners clarified and debated their doubts on a number of key issues incuding:-

• The point of Maturation for the BTL industry
• EU’s sustainable biofuels criterion
• Role of BTL in the new biofuels criteria identified by the EU
• If Algae Biomass can be a viable feedstock for BTL
• Converting existing bio-refineries to produce 2nd generation BTL biofuels
• The expansion of the forestry industry for biofuel feedstock.
• The feasibility of Jatropha as a feedstock for Biofuels and even BTL.

To sum up, the webinar not only afforded an excellent overview and summary of the latest developments in BTL, but also became an excellent learning platform for those seeking insights into what’s really important in the BTL industry today and the long term outlook for current and future BTL projects.

If you missed the webcast on Sept 17th, you can still listen to the webcast recording. Visit http://www.btltec.com/webcast/ for immediate access or simply enter your first name and primary email address in the form below.

	First Name: Primary Email Address:

>>Register for 3rd BTLtec 2008 today

>>Download the Brochure

>>Explore the Conference Schedule

Wednesday, Sept 17, 2008
10am GMT / 6pm Singapore

In line with BTLtec 2008’s commitment towards bringing the best expertise to discuss and analyze the biomass energy industry, CMT has decided to open the lines for dialogue between YOU and our Experts.
We are happy to announce our first Web seminar, “Developing Sustainable Feedstock for BTL Projects.”

The webcast is a hands-on discovery session dedicated to creating greater clarity around you and your BTL investment.

In this webcast or online seminar, you’ll have an opportunity to:

• Hear from and interact with Marc Londo , who is one of the experts speaking at BTLtec 2008.
• Have YOUR questions answered directly by our panelists.
• Ask questions and learn more about the long term outlook for BTL.

Debate and Analyze the issues that undermine BTL sustainability.

Register now and listen in to the live online discussion for FREE.

About the Panelists

 
Marc Londo
Marc Londo works as scientific researcher at ECN since 2005. His main field of interest is biomass energy, with a project portfolio focusing on application in fuels, electricity as well as heat. He is project leader of REFUEL and Elobio, two projects under Intelligent Energy Europe. REFUEL develops an EU road map for biofuels; Elobio develops biofuels policies with reduced impacts on agricultural commodity markets.

Marc also leads a review study for IEA Bioenergy dedicated to policy makers. He participated in an assessment study of global potentials for sustainable biomass for energy for the Dutch government. He will be talking briefly about the theme of the webcast, “Developing Sustainable Feedstock for BTL projects” following which, he will very kindly address YOUR questions.

Sune Bengtsson
Sune Bengtsson is since 2004 with Växjö University as co-ordinator for the CHRISGAS project and was until 2008 managing director of and is now a board member of the VVBGC Company.

Before this he has over 20 years of work experience within the area of R&D and technology working for ABB Fläkt and ALSTOM Power – i.e. for the development of processes and environmental plants in the area flue gas cleaning.

Anders Baudin
Anders Baudin has wide experience in research and consultancy on European timber trends, studies on end use of forestry resources, European Forest Sector Outlook Studies etc. He has written many literatures on modelling & forecasting demand for forestry products, supply & trade for Sweden & Europe in general. His recent contribution was on the Socio-Economic Effects of a Bio-DME Plant in Växjö CHRIGAS, WP 16, Report no D133

All panellists will be talking briefly about the theme of the webcast, “Developing Sustainable Feedstock for BTL Projects” following which, they will very kindly address YOUR questions.

Pose YOUR Questions Directly to our Panelists

The main thrust of this webcast is for YOU to ask questions and have them answered by our expert speaker. Sending in your questions early will ensure that:

• Your questions will be answered and discussed.
• Your questions will set the course for the direction of the web seminar to deliver. information that YOU want to hear.
• If you are unable to send in your questions beforehand, we also have an option for you to address your questions directly to our panel during our live Q&A session during the webinar.

So don’t forget to tune in on Wednesday, Sept 17 at 10am GMT or equivalent times below:

• 12pm Willemstad (Netherlands – Netherlands Antilles)
• 3.30pm Mumbai (India – Maharashtra)
• 6pm Singapore
• 6am US EST

To register for this authoritative webcast, simply enter your first name and primary email address in the form below!

	First Name: Primary Email Address:

To Your Success with BTL,

Liming
Program Director
Centre for Management Technology