About the Congress
 The biofuel sector has experienced exponential growth over the last few years, at both a European and global level. The benefits expected from the introduction of biofuel into the market (reduced energy dependence, contribution to a reduction in GHG emissions and to socioeconomic development) have been the driving force behind this growth, giving rise to the establishment of some ambitious implementation targets in the European Union.
Improved production costs and the development of new production technologies for second generation biofuels, constitute a far-reaching challenge if the targets set by the European Union for the sustainable use of biofuels are to be met.
A recent study published (25/07/2007) by the European Commission estimates that, in order to achieve the objective of incorporating 10% of biofuel in transport by 2020, without disrupting the agricultural markets, it would be necessary for approximately 30% of biofuel to be second generation.
Consequently, given the strategic position of Navarra, with a highly developed renewable energies sector in general, and biofuels sector in particular; this Autonomous Region considers that the organisation of an international Congress directed at all stakeholders and sectors involved in the biofuel value chain, is of the utmost importance and interest. The Congress includes a session for the automotive sector.
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 The organization of this Congress comes within the framework of the EUROINNOVA Navarra Project, included in the ERDF 2000-2006 Regional Program of Innovative Actions,like a complementary action aimed to reach several of this objectives:
- Promote the regional integration of the company-research system, applying it in 3 emerging sectors with proad development potential: biotechnology, nanotechnology and renewable energies.
- Foster the integration of Administrations, Universities, Research Centres and companies of Navarra, into "excellent" European research and innovation networks.
- Develop stable cooperation channels with other leading European regions in innovation.
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CENER (National Renewable Energies Centre) has achieved the scientific and technical consultancy of this Congress.
| Objectives |
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GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
 To establish a forum for the reflection, debate and exposition by international and national experts on diverse guidelines and practical cases on matters of R&D+i in biofuels and, more specifically, on second-generation biofuels (biofuels for transport obtained from waste and lignocellulosic materials).
The Congress is composed of two work days divided into four sessions: an initial one to inform on the current situation of the area; the following will deal with the availability of resources and production technology to obtain second-generation biofuels. The Congress will conclude with the applications and impact of biofuels in the automotive sector.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- Presentation of the current situation of biofuels on a global level.
- Global production tendencies.
- R&D+i experiences in second-generation biofuels.
- Impact of biofuels on different sectors and specially in the automotive sector.
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- Representatives of national and international Governments, Ministries and Councils of Industry, Technology, Innovation, Energy and Environment, and Development Agencies.
- Businesses from the value chain of the renewable energy sector.
- Automotive Sector.
- National and international sector associations as well as clusters related to the energy sector.
- National and international business confederations related to the energy sector.
- Universities, Technological Centres and Centres of Research related to the renewable energy sector.
Organized
Navarra Government Department of Innovation, Business and Employment.
www.navarra.es/home_en |
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ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)
http://www.ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm |
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Euro Innova Navarra
http://www.euroinnova-navarra.eu/en/index.php |
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Innovation Agency of Navarra (ANAIN)
www.anain.com |
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