Bioenergy Association and EECA collaborate

Bioenergy Association and EECA collaborate to increase bioenergy use

The Bioenergy Association has signed a collaboration agreement with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to encourage New Zealand businesses to use more bioenergy.

The agreement will use the expertise of both government and industry to develop a strategy to expand the bioenergy sector and promote the benefits of bioenergy to a wide range of Kiwi businesses, says Bioenergy Association Executive Officer Brian Cox.

“By working together we will be able to better identify and eliminate barriers for businesses to switch from coal to bioenergy and give them a high level of confidence in the bioenergy sector’s ability to supply best practice products and services.”

He says the Association and EECA are already using their respective expertise to collaborate on two training and education projects, with more planned.

Bioenergy is derived from forest harvest residues, wood processing waste, municipal organic waste and agricultural wastes. They are used to produce wood fuel and biogas for heat and transport biofuels.

Mr Cox says bioenergy currently makes up just over 10 percent of New Zealand’s consumer energy and the Bioenergy Association has a vision of that increasing to 25 percent by 2040.

“The economic consultancy BERL estimates bioenergy has the potential to add revenue of $6 billion a year to the New Zealand economy, so investing in bioenergy is an investment in New Zealand’s future.

“We are very fortunate that New Zealand has large amounts of renewable natural resources that can be turned into bioenergy, creating economic growth, increased employment and a cleaner environment.”

He says through training courses, webinars and conferences for equipment and service providers the Bioenergy Association is increasing its focus on efficient use of wood energy facilities and greater use of municipal solid and waste water facilities to produce biogas.

“This will ensure those contemplating moving from fossil-based fuels to bioenergy can have confidence that the sector is applying best practice.”

The Bioenergy Association is also developing accreditation schemes so that owners of wood fuelled and biogas heat plants have access to registered advisers and accredited fuel suppliers.

ENDS

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