Events

The region’s bioenergy projects continue to expand with farmers asking what crop is needed and where is the market, entrepreneurs questioning what research is ready for commercialization, and policymakers assessing the infrastructure needed to support the most innovative environment.  This dialogue on Virginia’s renewable energy agenda will continue when a host of interested parties gather together for this conference at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Southern Virginia Bioenergy Conference:
Research and Commercialization

Friday, March 26 at 9:00 a.m.
Click here for Program Information

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The conference will provide farmers, community leaders, economic developers, legislators, entrepreneurs, and other attendees the opportunity to participate in setting the bioenergy agenda for this region.

Beginning at 9 a.m., participants will hear presenters from Virginia Tech and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory who will outline bioenergy research at their institutions.  Afternoon sessions will focus on the process of moving the region from the planning stage to widespread implementation.  Presentations include a discussion of ethanol production of Appomattox Bioenergy (Osage Bio Energy), Allard Research mini-biorefineries, Piedmont Geriatric Hospital direct-firing strategies using warm season grasses, and combined heat and power projects of Western Virginia Water Authority.  The Honorable Jim Cheng, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, will deliver the keynote address.

Although the conference is free to the participant, registrations must be received by Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Martha A. Walker, Central District Office, at 434-766-6761during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.  *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

For more information, please contact Dr. Martha A. Walker at 434-766-6761 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The conference is co-sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Virginia Cooperative Extension as a component of the EDA Project: “Leveraging R&D for Economic Development—A Commercialization System for Southside Virginia.”

Conference Sponsors

The conference is co-sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, New College Institute, and Virginia Cooperative Extension as a component of the EDA Project: “Leveraging R&D for Economic Development—A Commercialization System for Southside Virginia.”