West Midlands businesses invited to attend free workshop to help them finance bioenergy projects

West Midlands businesses  interested in finding out how they might finance future bioenergy schemes are invited to attend a free master class, led by industry experts, on Friday 27 September, from 9.45am to 3pm.

Organised by the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University in Birmingham, the day will provide practical advice to regional companies around financing energy schemes, including different types of finance options, how to manage risk, how to weigh up the feasibility of their plans and the subsidies and incentives available to them.

High profile speakers at the event will include SLR Consulting, the leading international environmental consultancy and EIDC, the specialist investor and developer of waste and waste-to-energy (WtE) assets.

Businesses will gain invaluable insights from EBRI experts on the key factors they should consider when embarking on a bioenergy scheme, including shaping a bioenergy business plan, drawing up effective planning applications and choosing the right technology to meet needs. Attendees will also hear from other companies who have been through the process of finding finance for a bioenergy scheme.

Tom Anderson, Business Development Manager at EBRI, said: “There are many reasons why the bioenergy sector is increasingly attractive for regional businesses. Today’s customers and clients are more aware of the carbon footprint left by the purchasing choices they make and the use of bioenergy sends a powerful marketing message. The rising price of energy from traditional sources and the option of being able to deal with your waste at the same time makes bioenergy a financially attractive proposition for businesses.”

“For companies planning to move into bioenergy, the sector can seem like a minefield as there are so many things you need to consider such as finance options, planning permission and types of technology. Through this master class we will make this process as easy as possible by offering practical advice from leading industry experts around the key issue of finance, as well as other considerations. After this event EBRI is  be able to offer continued one-to-one support and expertise to businesses to help turn bioenergy ideas into reality.”

This workshop will also include a tour of EBRI’s brand new Pyroformer™-Gasifier Plant on the Aston University campus. Pyroformer™ technology, developed by Professor Andreas Hornung of EBRI, is unique in its use of multiple waste and residue sources, to generate cost-effective heat and power and is the first of its kind in the UK.

Businesses can register to attend at https://bioenergy-for-business.org/events/finance-for-bioenergy/

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To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact Rebecca Griffiths on 01727 733885 or email [email protected]

Notes to Editors

The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI)

EBRI based at Aston University delivers world-class research into all aspects of bioenergy. EBRI has been established since 2007 and bioenergy research has been taking place at the University from as early as 1978. EBRI was recently awarded £8.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund to build a new world-class facility for West Midlands businesses working in bioenergy technologies and component supply chain manufacturers to try out, test and get ready for market new products and processes within this field. www.bioenergy-midlands.org

The European Regional Development Fund Programme

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme which runs from 2007 to 2013. This is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development. The West Midlands ERDF Programme has been allocated €400 million to invest in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. Priority areas and themes for the West Midlands are: Innovation and Research & Development, Enterprise Development, Sustainable Urban Development, and Inter-Regional Activity. www.communities.gov.uk/erdf