Biomass 2007 workshop announced Just two months after the highly successful Biomass ‘06 workshop in Grand Forks, the Energy & Environmental Research Center has scheduled the Biomass ’07: Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Workshop for May 15-16, 2007, at the Alerus Center. Workshop organizers are hoping to build on the success of the record-breaking Biomass ’06 workshop, which attracted more than 185 attendees from 136 organizations, 25 states, seven Canadian provinces, and our countries, including United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. Workshop organizers also plan to double the amount of exhibit space available. “Our record attendance was primarily due to a great upsurge in interest in turning the bread basket of the Northern Great Plains into a fuel and energy basket,” said Biomass ‘06 Workshop technical director Chris Zygarlicke. EERC Director Gerald Groenewold states, “We are seeing significant global interest in our renewable energy programs at the EERC, and we hope to continue that momentum at the 2007 event.” Biomass ’07 will again focus on key advances in technologies for making power, chemicals, and transportation fuels from biomass (i.e., using plant matter such as straw, corn, and wood residue). Advances in conventional technologies and new methods for producing biodiesel and ethanol will be highlighted as well as the production of hydrogen from biomass. “Renewable energy in the form of ethanol and biodiesel for transportation and biomass residues or energy crops for electricity will be a significant component of the future energy mix in the United States. North Dakota has tremendous resources which need to be capitalized on with respect to technology and biomass resources,” said Zygarlicke. The primary sponsors for the workshop will be the EERC’s Center for Renewable Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional sponsorships are currently being solicited. Workshop fees will be $150 a person and include access to all of the technical sessions, the exhibit floor, workshop materials, and food. The workshop will be geared toward industry, research entities, government, community and economic development corporations, financial institutions, and landowners. Watch for future updates on the upcoming workshop on the EERC Web site at www.undeerc.org.