6 June 2012: The Kurchatov Institute of Bioenergy, in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Platform, held the first international conference in support of the Russian process for the development of a national bioenergy roadmap.

At the event, which took place in Moscow, Russian Federation, from 5-6 June 2012, the Russian Government and the IEA signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of a How2Guide for Bioenergy. The latter is an initiative the IEA launched in early 2012 with the goal to create a series of technology-specific methodology guides for the development of roadmaps at the national level.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ulrich Benterbusch, Director of Global Energy Dialogue at IEA, said the development of the national roadmap for bioenergy will lead Russia to make “significant advances in developing its own bioenergy market,” adding that it “stands to become an increasingly important player in the global market.”

The conference provided a forum for over 100 international and Russian bioenergy experts to exchange best practices and experiences in the field to support Russia in its vision to become a key player in bioenergy markets. This initiative follows on the priorities set by Russian President Vladimir Putin in April 2011 to create a series of national technology platforms focused on modernization and innovation of the Russian economy. The event also showcased the recently-published IEA International Technology Roadmap on Bioenergy for Heat and Power. [IEA Press Release] [IISD RS Summary of IEA International Technology Roadmap on Bioenergy for Heat and Power]