Following this Dr Glyn Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of Humber Chemical Focus undertook the chairmanship of the event. Glyn commented “We are delighted to see so many attendees from the industry and public sector partners come together for this event. Humber Chemical Focus and North Lincolnshire view’s the development of the renewable process industry and sectors as a major opportunity for the region, support services and local economy”. He highlighted the size and scale of the local carbon economy and the potential for the region to grasp the newly arriving renewable based sector.

Louise Kingham, Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Institute, gave the plenary presentation. Louise opened with the very topical subject of “Energy in the national and international press in recent times”. Louise said “Energy security, supply and costs are all very hot topics at the moment”. Louise focused on a global perspective of energy, zooming down to a regional picture of energy in the Humber. She also touched on the importance of the Humber as a major electricity generator for the UK, mainly based on fossil fuel feedstock’s. She added: “This region has a major opportunity to have new investments in the growing renewable sectors such as wind/tidal electricity generation, bio-fuels as well as in super efficient CHP’s.  These investments need to continue to occur at a fast rate to ensure the security of supply”.

The next presentation switched to an important technology theme. Dr Geraint Evans, Technology Transfer Manager, from the National Non Food Crops Centre gave a brief introduction to the work and scope of the NNFCC. He noted “The key drivers for the NNFCC & DEFRA to look into the development of biofuels include energy security, finite fossil resources, climate change and governmental policy. But different countries have different priorities when it comes to these drivers. The Renewable Transports Fuels Obligation is the key driver for EU member states”. Geraint also said “To meet these targets the UK transport fuels market will have to supply over 2 million tpy (5% of the UK’s fuels supply) to meet the 2010 target, developing new technologies for the 2015 targets and beyond.” Geraint also touched on the three technologies that may come to fruition for the 2^nd and 3^rd generation biofuels – Bio Chemical, Thermo Chemical and Hybrid. The potential benefits and sustainability issues relating to these technologies was also discussed.

Introducing a stronger rural theme, John Seymour, Rural Affairs Spokesman for North East Bio-fuels (NEB), gave a farmers perspective of the developing biofuels supply chains.  John noted he had worked for many years in the NE process industries and in particular the fuels and petrochemicals sectors. John introduction North East Bio-fuels Ltd, itself representing a partnership approach to developing a ‘vertical’ biofuel supply chain. John said “Developing a tight and secure supply chain for the development of biofuels can provide many benefits.” John also showed a slide including an aerial picture of Sealsands highlighting the development of a major biofuels cluster on the mouth of the Tees in recent years. John then went onto explain the work and achievements NEB’s to support the emerging industry.

After John Seymour’s presentation, delegates were able to network and take the opportunity to have a conversation with the exhibitors at the back of the room. These exhibitors included Simon Storage, ABB Engineering Services, NNFCC, Wind Direct, AJM Consulting, Energy Institute, Carbon Action Yorkshire, NSAPI and Yorkshire Forward.