Saturday 10 September 2011

Nordic Bioenergy Conference, Jyväskylä

I could hardly believe my luck, while I sat on the train going through my emails from the week at Aalto, working so long into the night on tasks meant I hadn't checked my email all week and figured nothing that couldn't wait would be there.

At lunchtime on the Friday, I received an email from Jonna, asking me volunteer at the Nordic Bioenergy Conference the next week, so I did. A free 600€, 170€ worth of tours, chance to get to listen to the speakers, networking with professionals and get a letter of reference. I could hardly believe my eyes.

Naturally, I jumped at the chance to help out, the days were long 8am to 6pm, then Finnish classes in the evening. Two technical tours on Thursday and Friday (Friday I left the house at 7am and didn't get home until 10.30pm, thanks to electrical fault on the railway tracks in Helsinki).

The week was quite unforgettable and I have made some contacts that may become very useful for my future thesis and career. So let's watch this space!

Information about the Nordic Bioenergy Conference

And a final thanks to FinBio for giving me a lucky break!


Stands in one of the halls


Roses and wood pellets at the FinBio registration desk


Kalimari Biogas Farm, Jyväskylä


Kymen Biogas Plant


Neste Oil Refinery

I also went on another technical tour where 8 companies explained what they did for bioenergy and the future for themselves. We also got to drive around the new biomass Keljolahti plant! but couldn't look inside as they were doing some maintenance work

We also got free conference bags, flash drive and a lot of information on companies and bioenergy. We also had the chance to go to 3 formal meals and had all food free all week! I took allergy food of course!

Aalto University, Espoo and Helsinki!


Säätytalo


Urho, the famous ice breakers!


Suomenlinna


Track 6's presentation

The week mostly in Espoo, at Aalto University and us staying at a hostel in Helsinki. It was a good week overall, my track was a little disappointing seeing how much fun everyone else was having while we had lecturers. The week was a great experience, we had a lot of fun, made new friends and shared ideas.

We got to do some good things, like a cruise around Helsinki talking about the issues for a sustainable future and the cities plans. We have 2 different talks that were broadcast live on line by people from the government and a lot of experts.

The live webcam shows should be updated on here soon

On the Friday, sat on the train on the way home, I checked my email and the excitement for the next Monday unfolded, an invite to the Nordic Bioenergy Conference!