BP Calls For Scaling Up of Clean Energy Sources

Keynote speakers at the Trade Show at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008 (WIREC) convening today in the U.S. capital called on industry participants, policy makers, financiers and technologists to join forces to scale up renewable energy around the world in response to growing climate and energy security imperatives and the economic challenges posed by $100-a-barrel oil.

In her remarks for the opening plenary session of the Business Conference, Vivienne Cox, CEO of BP Alternative Energy and the Official Diamond Sponsor of WIREC, said, "WIREC could not be held at a more important or auspicious time for those in the business of providing the world with cleaner energy or enhancing its energy security.

"Only a few years ago," Cox continued, "debate over climate change tended to revolve around what had to be done over the next century. Today, as an industry we have to be sharply focused on what has to be done over the next year – even the next month – not just because we better understand the nature of the problem and the challenge but also because we better recognize the immense set of opportunities that are at hand."

Cox said no one company will solve this alone. "If we are to 'grow the pie' at a rate that meets the challenge as well as the expectations of consumers for cleaner energy then working in partnership will be fundamental to success. That is why WIREC is such an important gathering place for people to meet and develop plans in tandem with companies large and small as well as a host of government, industry, technology and academic bodies from around the world."

GE's Vice President of Renewable Energy, Vic Abate, said, "With energy demand expected to nearly double globally by 2030 and growing worldwide pressure to address greenhouse gas emissions, GE believes that renewable energy must play an increasing role in the 21st-century energy mix. For the past four years, global renewable energy installed capacity has increased by over 25 percent each year, resulting in significant economic and environmental benefits for many countries.

"As a power generation technology leader with more than 100 years of industry experience," Abate continued, "we see three key levers that are critical to sustaining the momentum of this dynamic industry: technology advancement, supply chain growth and stable, predictable policy. We are pleased to be a sponsor of the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference and look forward to having these discussions at a world-class event."

Dan Arvizu, Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., proposed three initiatives to capitalize on opportunities for global research and development collaboration including working together to evaluate life-cycle costs and emissions from renewable energy technologies compared to conventional options, pursuing partnerships between research institutes and creating a global alliance of renewable energy research institutions that share information on programs and results, coordinate global initiatives and serve as centers of excellence for building research capacity around the world.

Joe Stanislaw, independent senior adviser on energy to Deloitte LLP and co-author of the book, Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy, said, "The convergence of climate change and energy security are the two most important driving forces in the world economy. These forces are creating the undercurrents of energy nationalism, high prices and the drive in the public and private sectors to invest in new and alternative clean technologies. These are the forces that will reshape the global landscape over the next two generations. Fundamental to these issues is whether these will be driving forces for mutual understanding or misunderstanding.

"The future should be one where the technological enablers of clean energy and alternative energy will foster a world of understanding both for the traditional energy players and the new energy players," Stanislaw said.

"Over 7,000 delegates from 137 countries, including some 91 Ministers and Secretaries of energy, environment, agriculture and economic development are assembling here this week to review the status of renewable energy around the world, and consider how to scale this up to meet the world's needs," said Michael Eckhart, President of the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), the government's partner in producing the WIREC event.

Conference web site: http://www.wirec2008.org

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Latest Bioenergy Industry News

•   Jamaica Broilers Ethanol To Double Capacity
•   Interest Shown in Manufacture of Biodiesel
•    Boost for Neptune's Algae Technology
•   Green Planet Energy Invest in Punjab
•   $40 Million Grants for Small-Scale Biorefinery Projects
•   Odyssey Acquires ALG Western Oil
•   Subcommittee Reviews RFS Implementation
•   China Approves Biodiesel Pilot Projects
•   AES AgriVerde Reducing Carbon Emissions
•   Go-ahead for Cellulosic Ethanol Production Plant