SAMS news room

New, national bioenergy group gets a green star

The Scottish Biofuel Programme—a programme dedicated to the development of next generation biofuel from renewable resources—has been nominated as a finalist in this year’s Scottish Green Awards.

The Biofuel programme, which is led by the Biofuel research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, was shortlisted for the top green award of Best Green Public Service or Public Sector Provision.

Bringing together Scotland’s leading biofuel experts, this new organisation has expertise in various sustainable energy technologies and works with small and medium-sized companies to convert their organic waste or by-products in to a source of renewable energy.

Now in their 5th year, the Scottish Green Awards reward businesses, schools, people and communities that demonstrate outstanding and innovative environmental practice. The judges of the 2013 awards praised the Scottish Biofuel Programme for its ambitious scope in supporting 300 SME’s, assisting in the development of 30 new products and processes, increasing its turnover by £10 million and for creating 10 new jobs.

The programme, which started in March 2012, is a partnership of five leading Scottish research institutions including the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) near Oban on the west coast of Scotland. This national group offers a single access point to a broad range of specialist expertise and is supported by a high-level advisory board that spans the spectrum of stakeholders across the biofuels sector.

Professor Martin Tangney, Programme Director said ‘We are delighted to be finalists in this prestigious award. It is tremendous to gain this recognition of the strength of the Programme and the five university partnership within its first year. This shortlisting reflects the increasing momentum of sustainable Biofuels within Scotland, through the support of the Scottish Government and its agencies.”

Dr Michele Stanley who leads SAMS contribution to the programme said: “We’re thrilled to have been nominated. Our contribution to this programme builds on our previous algal bioenergy research providing support to SMEs interested in using this new, exciting biomass for energy generation.”

Scottish SMEs can apply to the Scottish Biofuel Programme for a Biofuel Development Fund grant to help them gain access to academic expertise for a biofuel related development study, with the aim of stimulating innovation and collaboration. 

For more information on algal bioenergy research please contact:

• Dr Michele Stanley at SAMS by email or tel 01631 559 295

About the Scottish Biofuel Programme

• The Scottish Biofuel Programme is a partnership of the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, University of Abertay Dundee, University of Edinburgh, SAMS and Scotland’s Rural College (SAC Consulting).
• The programme works directly with Scottish businesses to develop opportunities for the conversion of low value residues into bio-energy and sustainable biofuels.
• The Scottish Biofuel programme supports SME’s through consultations, sector specific workshops, conferences, and a range of fact sheets and case studies.
• Biofuel Development Fund provides grants to fund project work carried out on behalf of SMEs to identify, evaluate and develop biofuel opportunities
• The Scottish Biofuel Programme is a grant-funded Programme with support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund, our advice and support is impartial, independent and free of charge to SMEs.
• About the Scottish Green Awards
• The Scottish Green Awards 2013 were sponsored by Scottish Power, The Daily Record, Business Insider, Prestige Scotland and IMEA.

Click here for the Scottish Biofuel Programme website or contact it by email or tel. 0131 455 2217