about the bio-power Introductory Seminar program

About the Bio-power Introductory Seminars.

We normally run a Bio-power Introductory Seminar at least once every month. The main seminar is held on the first full weekend within any month, ( i.e. where the Saturday falls between 7th and 14th.). This may vary occasionally if there are clashes with public holidays or our family arrangements. A second seminar is held if there are sufficient people booking, on the fourth weekend of the month. It is necessary to book places at least one week in advance of the seminar date, using the booking form, which should be sent 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.

These Introductory Seminars are 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. They 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.

The provisional program for 2007
Because I have been in hospital for a major operation in May 2007, I will not be running any seminars until I am fully recovered. Please watch this page for news or send us an email asking to be added to our pre-seminar mailing list and we will notify you directly a new program is arranged.

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. Events held at the Caban in Brynrefail have a wide choice of organic vegetarian food.

You can also register your interest in attending a future seminar by sending an e-mail to us asking to be put on our pre-seminar list. 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.

Venue
The seminars are often held in or near to Llanberis in North Wales. For other family members who do not wish to attend the seminar, there is a wide range of interesting places to visit in and around Llanberis and Padarn lake. We often meet at 8.00 pm on the Friday evening at the Heights Hotel where there is a range of real ales and also good bar food. The seminar is then held either in a hotel or at the Caban in Brynrefail. The seminar fee includes luch and refreshments during the day but not the evening meals on Friday or Saturday.

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Caban, the new conference centre at Brynrefail.

The Heights Hotel in Llanberis.

Accommodation
The seminar fee does not include accommodation. Click here for a list of local places to stay from camping sites to quality hotels will be available below.

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 a a great deal of the basic paperwork required when you start collecting used cooking oils.

Purchasing fuel
We can also 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.

Overseas visitors
We also welcome people to our seminars from overseas. Visitors from Ireland can be collected from the Holyhead ferry on Friday afternoon, given sufficient notice. Otherwise, plan to arrive at Bangor station, North Wales, and there is a bus or taxi service to Llanberis. Some of our Introductory Seminars are designed more specifically for people from overseas, and sometimes these may be run in London or Manchester.

Download the Introductory Seminar Booking Form

Download a map of the location at the Elms Hotel, Sealand, Queensferry, and a list of places to stay.

Download a map with directions to Benenden, Kent and a location of the venue and camping site 1,540 Kb