World Sustainable Energy Days a success

The conference program
Following the motto “6 + 3 = 1”, the conference program offered the following events:

Six conferences:

• European Pellet Conference

• European Nearly Zero Energy Buildings Conference

• European Energy Efficiency Watch Conference

• Energy Efficiency Services Conference

• Smart Facade Materials Conference

• Young Researchers Conference: Energy Efficiency & Biomass

Three hands-on events:

• tradeshow “Energiesparmesse”

• cooperation platforms on pellets and energy efficiency in buildings

• site visits on “pellets & wood chips” and on “nearly zero energy buildings”

European Pellet Conference
Pellets are a clean, CO₂ neutral and convenient fuel with growing market shares worldwide. The European Pellet Conference 2016 in Wels, Austria was once again the meeting place for the global pellet community. It presented the latest technology trends, updates on policies, legislation and standardization, news from research and innovation as well as an outlook on the development of European and global markets. It offered inspirational examples and case studies and permitted experts to share experience and develop new business contacts. With more than 500 participants every year, the European Pellet Conference in Wels is the largest annual pellet event worldwide.

The European Pellet Conference 2016 offered a range of interesting sessions and events. It started with plenary sessions on “Pellet policies and markets” and “The role of bioenergy in the bioeconomy”, followed by a panel discussion on “Pellets – facts vs. fiction”.

On Wednesday afternoon, a session dealing with successful business models took place. It was followed by the World Pellet Technology Forum covering product and technology innovations.

The European Pellet Conference then continued on Thursday with two parallel events. In the session Pellet Market News Worldwide, representatives from Canada, the U.S., India, Germany, the U.K., Spain and Namibia presented current developments in their countries. The session “Pellet Technology Outlook – a research update” showcased pellets research and innovation projects.

Site Visits “Pellets & Wood Chips”
The full-day field-trip “Pellets & Wood Chips” on Tuesday offered the opportunity to visit a pellet production plant, a biomass boiler manufacturer, a biomass heating installation for a production hall operated by an ESCO and a sports hall in passive building standard with a central pellet heating system. The participants welcomed the opportunity to gain first-hand information and to discuss specific questions on-site with the project operators.

Young Researchers Conference: Energy Efficiency & Biomass
Based on a call for papers, nearly 100 papers were submitted by young researchers from 42 countries in the fields of energy efficiency and biomass. A scientific committee selected papers for oral and poster presentations. The papers were presented in two sessions – one on biomass and one on energy efficiency.

A highlight of the Young Researchers Conference was the Best Young Researcher Awards. The prizes were awarded to two very deserving young researchers:

• Best Young Researcher Biomass: Sari Tuomikoski for the paper “Removing impurities with chemically activated carbon from biomass gasification” and

• Best Young Researcher Energy Efficiency: Delia D’Agostino for the paper “Modelling optimal paths to reach NZEB standards for new construction in Europe “.

Save the date: WSED 2017
The energy world will again meet in Wels, Austria and discuss the latest trends in sustainable energy – from March 1-3, 2017 at the World Sustainable Energy Days 2017.

Call for Papers & Speakers
Take the opportunity to share your work, expertise, ideas and insights with an international audience. You are warmly invited to take part in the events through contributions on the following topics: renewable energy, energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, pellets, sustainable energy technologies, energy programs, energy policies and energy efficiency services.

Deadline for submissions:
October, 10 2016 at: www.wsed.at/call-dt