The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with The Energy Center, KNUST and Southampton University has organised a workshop on second generation biofuels. The workshop was one of the major activities within the framework of a collaboration project involving the CSIR Institute of Industrial Research and the College of Engineering and Sciences, University of Southampton.

The primary objective of the workshop was to help build research capacity in Ghana in the area of second generation biofuel technologies. Other expectations of the workshop are to help the Institute for Industrial Research (IIR) of CSIR and its collaborators in the forestry research and  crop research institutes as well as academia, build the capacity within the CSIR, KNUST and other institutions in Ghana and also have a technical capacity to locally put together biofuel production units. The workshop provided a platform for sharing of knowledge and experience of biofuel technology between Ghana and the United Kingdom, and also extending to other sister countries.

Presentations were made by participants from both industry and academia. During the workshop, there were presentations on computer aided modelling to optimise the conversion of non food feedstock to biofuel. The emphasis is to go away from food feedstock; so that there is no shortage of food. Participants were told to expect joint research activities and other pilot projects following the workshop. 

There were also presentations and discussions on Bioenergy Policy Issues in Ghana where participants raised a lot of issues pertaining to the production of biofuels in the country. It was observed that Ghana does not have a laid down or a fixed policy relating to the expected standard of biofuel production in the country. This regardless, participants from the industry expect future policy to include tax exemptions, provision of subsidies, and strict laws against the exportation of raw feedstock.

Industry participants included Kiminic Ltd, Jathropha Africa, Tragrimacs, African Biodiesel Ltd and Biodiesel 1, whilst participants from the academia and research included biofuel experts from KNUST, International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Ouagadougou and CSIR-IIR. Other important dignitaries like Dr. Sai Gu from the College of Engineering and Science, University of Southampton, Dr. Jasvinder Singh from Indian Institute of Petroleum, Mr. Eric Ofori Nyarko from the Energy Commission of Ghana and Mr. Wisdom Togobo from the Ministry of Energy were all present.

For a photo gallery on the workshop, please click here.

For PowerPoint Presentations made at the workshop, please click here.