Somerset College

This free conference is targeted at anyone interested in or working in the bioenergy / renewable energy sector.

The aim of the conference is to provide attendees with an overview of the current and potential future role of bioenergy in the South West and, in particular, in Somerset.  It will focus on identifying current and future education and training needs in order to support its further development both in the region and in the county.

To register your interest, please fill out the form below.

Programme;

9.30am    Registration and Coffee

10.00am  Bioenergy in the Context of Sustainable Development, Matt Georges - Environment Agency

10.40am  Bioenergy Policy and Strategy; European, National, Regional and Local, Stephen Green - Regen SW

11.20am  Break for Coffee

11.40am  Somerset Bioenergy; Present and Potential, Ian Bright - Somerset County Council

12.15pm  Lunch

1.00pm     Current Research Projects, Speaker tbc

1.40pm     Addressing Education and Skills, Now and Into the Future, Tim Simmons - Genesis Centre

2.00pm     Workshop: Aligning Policy and Development with Education Provision

2.30pm     Feedback from workshops

2.45pm     Next Steps

3.00pm     Close

Speakers;

Matt Georges - Environment Agency

Matt has worked on climate change policy for the Environment Agency for the last 4 years.  Previous to this he worked in a consultancy specialising in fuel poverty, energy efficiency and local authority action on climate change.  His current brief includes landfill gas regulation and energy generation from biomass, but he has also worked on the Environment Agency’s response to the climate change adaptation agenda and on methods of effectively communicating the challenge of climate change and encouraging positive shifts in attitudes and behaviour.  He holds an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College and is a visiting lecturer at Bristol University.

Stephen Green - Regen SW

Stephen Green joined RegenSW in June 2008 as the Technology Project Manager.  With a background in Systems Engineering, Operational Logistics, Business Improvements/Lean and Project/Programme Management, he currently runs the South West Bioheat Programme within RegenSW for the South West of England  Regional Development Agency and Forestry Commission.  He has a BSc in Engineering and Master of Arts Degree, is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and qualified project manager and member of the Association of Project Managers. 

As well as an interest in sustainable wood supplies for fuel, he also has an interest in wood for weapons and transport  – he has an interest in the Georgian Navy,  makes and shoots his own longbows, and has built (and paddled) his own Ironbridge coracle.

Ian Bright - Somerset County Council

Ian graduated with BSc in Forestry from Aberdeen University in 1973 and has enjoyed a varied career in forest management, contracting, lecturing and consultancy.  His work with renewable energy began in 1994 while serving as Landscape Officer with Milton Keynes Parks Trust when he became Project Coordinator of the Milton Keynes Biomass Project.  In 1999 Ian joined LRZ Energy and Environment as Woodfuel Consultant, then became a founder member and Projects Manager with Econergy Ltd. 

Ian has served as Renewable Energy Officer with Somerset County Council since 2003.  He prepared the County Council Renewable Energy and Climate Change Strategies.  He is the UK coordinator for the EU funded BEST project, demonstrating the benefits of bioethanol as a road transport fuel, and is actively involved in woodfuel heating, anaerobic digestion and wind power project development.  Somerset County Council has received 7 awards for its work with renewable energy projects including Public Servant of the Year in 2007.