Sribas C. Bhattacharya, President, International Energy Initiative

What do you and your company do in the bio power generation sector?

IEI, founded in 1991, works as an independent, international, non-governmental and public-purpose organization.  IEI's mission is to: promote, initiate, strengthen and advance the efficient and clean production and use of energy, including Biopower, for sustainable development – this is reached by INTAACT which stands for:  Information, Training, Analysis, Advocacy and Action.  IEI disseminates research findings on topics related to sustainable energy internationally through its peer-reviewed journal “Energy for Sustainable Development”, which will be published by Elsevier from 2009.

How do you see the market for biopower generation developing in the next 3 years?

Biopower generation is expected to grow steadily and annual growth rate of biopower will also rise. 

What are the biggest short term challenges to market growth?

1.  Lack of reliable biomass potential assessment in most Asian countries.
2. Lack of information on, and demonstration of, advanced biopower technologies in the Asian countries
3. ) Perceptual barriers.

What do you think are the most exciting innovations in this area at the moment?

A new generation of Stirling engines, biomass integrated gasification combined cycle (BIGCC), and plasma gasification are some of the most exciting technological innovations in the area of biopower generation in recent years.