Tag Archives: green
EA: US Bioenergy Capacity To Reach 14.4 GW by 2018
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EEA Urges Rethink On Biomass
[background=rgb(0, 128, 1) !important]03/07/2013[/background] Bioenergy production must follow EU resource efficiency codes if it is to play an important role in the renewable energy mix, according to a report by the European Environment Agency. The study, EU Bioenergy From A Resource Efficiency Perspective, states more power needs to be extracted from the same material input while negative environmental effects are avoided. The EEA has also revised its potential bioenergy production estimate in the EU, reducing the figure published in 2006 by almost 40% due to changes in scientific understanding, the altered EU policy framework and economic factors. The study claims that generating electricity by burning pure biomass is only 30% to 35% efficient, while burning the same material to produce heat is usually more than 85% efficient. EEA executive director Hans Bruyninckx said: “This study highlights the fact that forest biomass and productive land are limited resources and part of Europe’s ‘natural capital’. So it is essential that we consider how we can use existing resources efficiently before we impose additional demands on land for energy production.” The report suggests the current energy crop mix is not favourable to the environment and recommends a broader mix of crops to reduce environmental impacts. “Different energy cropping systems can vary hugely in their productivity, as well as in environmental impacts. High-yielding systems with efficient conversion can deliver more than 20 times more energy compared with low-yielding inefficient systems using the same land area,” the study states. The EEA calls for perennial crops to be grown as these are not harvested annually and can enhance ecosystems and provide services such as flood prevention and water filtration. The report can be seen here . Continue reading
Capital Investments in Agriculture of Ukraine Increased by 10%
KIEV, Ukraine, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Foreign investors are investing more in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. From January to March, capital investment in agriculture accounted for UAH 2.5 billion, 10% more than over the same period last year. Traditionally, the most attractive sectors for investors are the food industry, bioenergy and crop production, with major investors in agriculture coming from across Europe. First Vice Prime Minister Serghiy Arbuzov mentioned this fact prior to the first annual international conference “ABC: Ukraine & Partners”, initiated by the Ukrainian Government. “Between 2000-when investment levels in agriculture were at their lowest levels-and 2012, we have seen high annual growth rates. The government is working hard to ensure that they are constantly increasing, by creating transparent conditions for investors and deepening investment in public and private partnerships,” said Arbuzov. The First Vice Prime Minister also stressed that the food industry; bioenergy and crop production all traditionally show high ratings of investment attractiveness: “Investors look for those sectors of agriculture where there is a high level of profitability, export opportunities, high rates of scale and better terms of liquidity of investments,” he continued. Serhiy Arbuzov also underlined that the biggest investors in agriculture in Ukraine are European countries. Recall, First Annual International Business Conference will be held on June 13-14, 2013 at the capital based NSC “Olympiysky”. One of the business and government meeting topics will be the panel discussion “Investment in agricultural sector of Ukraine. Let’s Feed the world together.” First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov will participate in the discussion. SOURCE ABC: Ukraine & Partners /CONTACT: ABC organizing committee, tel +38(044)501-32-93/44, email: y.derevyanko@pr-service.com.ua Continue reading
