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COP26
The UN climate summit COP26 starts on Sunday 31 October. Over the next two weeks, look out for events and content from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub covering a range of issues from sustainability and net zero to hydrogen and governance. If you have anything to share, get in touch at supergen-bioenergy@aston.ac.uk.
 

Public fishbowl conversation: What might energy systems look like in a net zero world?

Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow, 4 November, 1-2.30pm
The fishbowl will be participant-driven, enabling multiple perspectives to be aired and offering the opportunity for a variety of participants to engage. 
Apply to participate in-person at this exciting event. 
Or register for the live stream.

Build your own biorefinery game at COP26 Green Zone exhibition stand

First floor, Glasgow Science Centre 4 November, 10am-5pm
We'll be on the COP26 Universities Network exhibition stand within the Green Zone on Energy Day. If you're passing through, come along to select your pathway from feedstock through to output, understand the balance between different choices, and see how sustainable you can make your biorefinery.

Sustainable bioenergy at the heart of net zero

The World Bioenergy Association is running a programme of events on 9 and 10 November to explore the role of sustainable bioenergy in delivering global net zero. Patricia Thornley will be speaking on 10 November. 

Earthbeat COP tour

The Earthbeat COP tour is bringing stories for a better future to the UN climate conference and the world, travelling to Glasgow with three bikes equipped with a monitor and solar (and creative) power. While passing through Birmingham on their journey from Luxembourg City, they stopped at Aston University to talk to the Supergen Bioenergy Hub to understand our work and commitments to sustainability, as well as our hopes for a better future. Find out more and follow the tour

UKRI COP26 programme and virtual events

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched a programme of activities and engagement for COP26 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow and online.

Industrial biotechnology and net zero: The role of standards and innovation

3 November, The Lighthouse, Glasgow and online
This event, part of the Scottish Government’s Climate Ambition Zone, will focus on how industrial biotechnology is a key enabler of decarbonisation, addressing how standards can underpin innovation, support and encourage new business partnerships and investment, and support net zero targets. 

Supergen’s message for world leaders at COP26

Revisit the policy session from our recent Net Zero Conference for a reminder of our key policy asks ahead of COP26.

What are your key asks ahead of COP26? Let us know at supergen-bioenergy@aston.ac.uk.

Supergen Bioenergy Hub news

Launch of Supergen Bioenergy Hub's interactive research app

Created by Andrew Welfle from the University of Manchester following a successful application for Hub rapid response funding, the Bioenergy app includes an interactive map of biomass resource availability across the UK, a ‘Create your own bioenergy system’ tool and a bioenergy greenhouse gases calculator among many other fun and educational resources. The app is available (supergen-bioenergy.netlify.app) for use in public engagement and educational activities and will feature on our exhibition stand at the COP26 Green Zone. Read more.

Pathways to Net Zero: The Impact of Clean Energy Research

Hub Director Patricia Thornley has contributed to the new Elsevier report on net zero research, which explores emerging trends and opportunities to maximise the impact of clean-energy research. At a Times Higher Education event to launch the report, Patricia commented: "We need to commit long-term investment to research collaborations with the Global South that are not just sustainable but are also equitable."

Consultation response on net zero governance

Alison Mohr and Mirjam Roeder recently responded on behalf of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the University of Nottingham Energy Institute to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee call for evidence on net zero governance. We’ll be holding a webinar soon on this topic, so look out for more details.

Report from Supergen equality, diversity and inclusion survey

As part of our EDI initiatives, the Supergen hubs (Energy Networks, Solar, Offshore Renewable Energy, Bioenergy and Storage) recently collaborated to develop a survey to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our networks’ and stakeholders’ work to further support our EDI activities. Comments and responses to the survey will be read and incorporated into our future action plans. A copy of the report is available to view.

New publications from mango waste project

Tariro Tecla Manhongo, working with Annie Chimphango from Stellenbosch University and Patricia Thornley and Mirjam Röder from Aston University, has published two new papers on ‘Techno-economic and environmental evaluation of integrated mango waste biorefineries’ and ‘An economic viability and environmental impact assessment of mango processing waste-based biorefineries for co-producing bioenergy and bioactive compounds’.

Funding and opportunities from Supergen Bioenergy Hub

Funding from Supergen Bioenergy Hub

Visit our funding page for full details on these opportunities

Travel and research exchange bursaries
Funding is available to SHARE members (early career researchers at member institutions) to support research-related travel and subsistence, either for research dissemination and presentation of results papers and posters at conferences, or to conduct a research exchange with industry or another academic institution to broaden or add to your research scope.  

Secondment funding
Companies and early career researchers interested in carrying out secondment projects should discuss their ideas initially and then apply for funding using the online form. Participating companies and early career researchers need to be members of the Hub.

Rapid response funding
We have a small amount of rapid response funding still available to support projects that will rapidly enhance existing knowledge to facilitate industrial, policy or international impact.

Opportunities to engage and influence policymaking

Contact Joanna Sparks, Biomass Policy Fellow, for more information on these opportunities. 

News from our partners

EBRI case studies and masterclasses

The Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University has produced a series of case studies demonstrating how they have helped local businesses, covering a range of topics including brewery waste, compost, biochar, plastic waste, seaweed and bicycle tyres. 

The EBRI team is running two new masterclasses on sustainability, energy and bioproducts in November.

Aston University’s new biochar facility

The Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University has launched a project where urban tree waste from around Birmingham will be made into biochar, a sustainable form of charcoal which can be used for carbon capture, soil improvement and a range of industrial applications. Tim Miller, Director of Engagement at EBRI, is looking for businesses who could benefit from using the biochar product and academics interested in using the facility for research.

New publications from UK Government

It’s been a busy time recently with a number of publications relating to energy and the environment.
 
Greening finance: A roadmap to sustainable investment sets out the Chancellor’s vision to make the UK the best place in the world for green and sustainable investment.
 
The Net Zero Strategy outlines measures to transition to a green and sustainable future, helping businesses and consumers to move to clean power, supporting hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs and leveraging up to £90 billion of private investment by 2030.
 
The new Heat and Buildings Strategy aims to drive down the cost of low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps for consumers.

Events from our partners

Short course: Energy from Biomass Combustion, 11-13 January 2022, Leeds

This course from the University of Leeds will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the status and developments in energy delivery from biomass combustion. The focus will mainly be on biomass for electricity and heat. This course looks at fuel supply options and the emissions and plant performance implications. The use of biomass for energy production has several associated technical, environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Some of these, particularly the technical challenges, will be addressed in this course.

UK Catalysis Hub Winter Conference 2021, 7-8 December, Oxfordshire and virtually via Zoom

Speakers include researchers from the Catalysis Hub and internationally renowned speakers and industrialists covering a range of topics in catalysis. The event will also include a poster session showcasing work from Catalysis Hub postdocs. 

CREDS (Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions) 'Spotlight on EDI' webinars

Positive Leadership: Inclusive Cultures, 15 November, online
This webinar looks at what needs to be done within organisations to promote positive, safe work cultures. It brings together a range of speakers from the military, healthcare and academia to exchange knowledge and approaches.

Diverse Voices - Fitting in and Standing Out, 18 November, online
This focuses on personal, lived experiences with three speakers exploring what it means to be different from the crowd and why diversity is so important in research.

MEEPS 2021: Power Systems in a Post-Pandemic Era, 3-5 November, online

The Manchester Energy and Electrical Power Systems (MEEPS) symposium has been held annually since 2013 and is widely recognised as a great platform for researchers and young professionals in the power and energy sector to showcase their work and exchange knowledge regarding the future trend of the power systems. Register to receive the online meeting link.

Funding and opportunities from our partners

C-DICE secondments and short-term placements in industry 

C-DICE, the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure Cities and Energy, is offering funding to support HEI (higher education institution)-to-HEI placements, and is creating a number of funded industry secondments. Confirmed hosts will include Mace, Tyseley Energy Park, Cenex, Des19ncor and Advanced Infrastructure Technologies – with more to follow. EPSRC has guaranteed a no-cost extension to allow for participation in C-DICE placements/secondments for those on standard grants.

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