Biomass and Conversion Technologies

Emerging Technologies Forum: 2006

On April 17-18, 2006, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) sponsored the Emerging Technologies Forum at the Sacramento Convention Center.

• Content  The agenda now contains presentation summaries! Check back for more additions.
• Participants CIWMB sought participation from a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to: Representatives from the scientific community, industry representatives, local and State government representatives, policy makers, environmental and conservation groups, writers, and publishers.

While the energy demands of California, the nation, and the world continue to grow, sources for energy are either dwindling or growing at a much slower rate. To make up this disparity, policy makers are considering controversial energy sources such as nuclear, non-renewable resources, and drilling for oil and gas in ecologically sensitive areas. Meanwhile, even with our waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting efforts, we continue to dispose vast amounts of materials with an incredible amount of embodied energy into our landfills. Are there relatively clean, effective methods to obtain energy and other raw materials from these residuals? Are they a potential source of energy to help meet California’s Renewable Portfolio Standards? What energy choices do we face in our future?

Participants heard discussion on noncombustion thermal, chemical, and biological alternatives to landfill disposal of residual materials that are not diverted through recycling and composting markets. They also learned about recent research on emissions, comparisons to traditional energy technologies, and CIWMB’s research efforts. The forum provided interactive discussions of solutions, progress, and innovations in emerging technologies.

Content

Topics covered included, but were not limited to:

• Overview of Emerging Technologies
• Existing and Planned Emerging Technology Facilities
• Emerging Technology Research and Development Data and Innovations
• Emerging Technology Emissions and Residuals
• Source Materials for Emerging Technologies Participants

See the full agenda including presenters and session descriptions.

Last updated: August 29, 2008