About the Bio-power Introductory Seminars.
For many years Bio-power Introductory
Seminars were held at least once a month except in August and December, however
this was disrupted when I was ill. I am
now beginning a new series of Seminars, the first of which will take place at
The Mansion House, in Totnes in Devon over the weekend 26th and 27th September 2009. Seminars may also soon be held later
this year at Leatherhead just off the M25, and in North Wales.
The
Totnes Seminar program will begin on Friday 25th with the official
launch of the Totnes bio-fuel project at The Seven Stars Hotel Function Room -
a glass of wine and nibbles from 7pm - 8.30pm.
We will meet at the
Mansion House from 8.00pm on Friday
evening 25th September, but everyone is also invited to attend the VIP
event at which there will be a short presentation by the members involved.
Because I have not been running seminars for
some time, there may well many people wanting to attend. Early booking is important so secure a
place, and it is necessary to book places at least one week in advance of the
seminar date. To book a place download
and print the booking form and send it to us in the post with a deposit (which
is not refundable) in the event that you do not attend the seminar. Please
ensure that you send your booking to arrive before the Monday prior to the
weekend of the Seminar you wish to attend.
The Introductory Seminar is intended for
people who are considering making bio-fuels either for their own use initially,
or as a commercial producer within the Bio-power Network. It will start
with a meeting at 8.00 pm on the Friday evening, normally meeting in a bar
where meals and snacks are available. The course runs through Saturday
and Sunday, and we aim to complete the seminar early in the afternoon of
Sunday, leaving people time to get home. The Seminar fee includes
refreshments during the seminar including a buffet lunch on the Saturday, and a
lighter lunch on Sunday. It does not include accommodation or the evening
meals on the Friday or Saturday.
The current fee for the course is £200 for
the first person, and there is a lower rate of £170 for a second person
attending from the same family, company or group. This is to encourage
you to bring as many ears and eyes to absorb the information as possible.
The same lower rate applies if people wish to attend the seminar for a
second time.
Please send us an email asking to be added to
our pre-seminar mailing list if you wish to receive information about future
seminars.
Booking
To book a place on a seminar simply download the booking form below and post it
to us with your cheque as a deposit to confirm your booking. You will
then receive a confirmation by e-mail. The deposit is not returnable if
you fail to attend. Do not forget to say on the booking form if you
require a vegetarian or vegan menu.
You will then receive information
prior to each seminar with the location and vacancies available.
Places are then awarded to the first ten people who submit a booking
form. This system does tend to break down when places are over
subscribed. Click here to down load a booking
form.
Ex-gratia discounts or special terms
The seminar fee is never intended to become a barrier to anyone who wishes to
get involved in our work in making bio-fuels. If you are unable to attend a
seminar because of the cost, then let us know, and in some circumstances we can
reduce the fee or defer payment against your returns when you become a
profitable bio-power fuel maker. A claim for a discount must be agreed with
Bio-power before the booking is made. Many people who are on benefits, who have
been out of work for a long period, or who are on job seekers allowance can get
help towards the cost of the seminar fee, travelling expenses, and the
necessary local accommodation through their Job Centre.
Accommodation
The seminar fee does not include accommodation. Follow this link to locate Bed and Breakfast
accommodation near Totnes, and from there also Local Hotels, and Camping
Sites.
http://www.totnesinformation.co.uk/accommodation/type/2/bed-and-breakfast
A few
suggestions - all walking distance to The Mansion House are:
- The Elbow Room - tasteful & quiet, 01803
863480
- The Bay Horse - Great pub with good ale, lovely
garden space 01803 862088
- Number 12 Contemporary style, organic vegetarian
breakfast 01803 840359
- Devonia Georgian Terrace - 2 rooms in private
house 01803 863593
- B&B option - Alex Sharrett has two rooms at
£25 per person - 01803 866682
· Karen Lixenburg - Totnes Resident - has spare room for Bed and help yourself breakfast @£25 per night. 01803 865226
You can also
contact bio-power member and Totnes local resident Angela Hazelton on 07801
826384
Scope and content of the seminar
The Bio-power Introductory Seminar is designed for people who are considering getting
involved in the creation of bio-fuels, either for their own use or leading to
becoming involved commercially as part of the Bio-power UK network . It
provides a background understanding of the principles of energy, and why energy
is stored, how we use energy, the exhaustion of bio-fuels, the underlying
issues of climate change, and the role of bio-fuels in addressing this global
threat. We look at all the different ways of making bio-fuels, including
the manufacture of Bio-diesel as a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, the use of heating
to run engines pure plant oils, simple blended fuels, and the development of
the unique Bio-power process. We also compare the relative benefits of
the various approaches. The unusual structure and format of the Bio-power
Network is explained, and how people can be drawn into the Bio-power Community
as a member and part owner of the company, and as a Local Bio-power Agent.
We also look at all the regulatory and safety issues, how to register for
the payment of Excise Duty, Planning issues, dealing with the Environment
Agency, and Health & Safety. If there is an interest we also look at
other technical projects that our members are working on including gasification
and the use of bio-fuels in power generation.
People leaving the seminar will be able to
make their own fuel on a trial basis, and will understand what is involved in
setting up a commercial scale plant. The next step for most people will
be to make some fuel, and prove that it works in their own vehicle, and also to
prove that they can make a quality product using very basic equipment.
When they have developed confidence in the method and their own ability
to produce a quality product, they can progress towards setting up a more
commercial scale operation. We provide extensive seminar notes, drawings,
and a glossary of chemistry and engineering information, as well as a great
deal of the basic paperwork required when you start collecting used cooking
oils.
Purchasing fuel
We may also be able to sell Bio-power fuel during the weekend, but it must be
removed in your own containers or in your vehicle fuel tanks as we do not want
to lose our own returnable containers. Please let us know in advance if
you are expecting to buy fuel from us for your return journey.