Steambioafrica - Clean Burning Biofuel

22/03/2024

Greetings to all from Seville!🙂

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our consortium's Month 30 meeting held in Seville, Spain, last week.

During this two-day event, representatives from fifteen partner institutions engaged in insightful discussions regarding the progress and future strategies of our project. From detailed analyses of value-chain systems to comprehensive discussions on plant operation, every aspect of our biomass research initiative was thoroughly examined.

Following the meeting, team representatives had the opportunity to explore Seville's vibrant cultural heritage, visiting iconic landmarks such as Plaza España and the Alcazar.

Scroll down to view some photos from the event, and for more information, please visit our website at www.steambioafrica.com.

12/03/2024

Greetings everyone,

The Evenor team recently participated in the ESA Symposium on Earth Observation for Soil Protection and Restoration held from March 6th to 7th, 2024. During the event, Francisco José Blanco-Velázquez presented research findings focusing on monitoring organic soil carbon and other soil variables in Namibia's Otjozondjupa region, where the Biomass Processing plant at the CCheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)is situated.

Discussions also revolved around Steambioafrica's environmental objectives, research methodology, and land-use scenarios, all aiming to scale up the process for evaluating medium and long-term opportunities for carbon farming practices using monitoring and clean technologies.

Kindly visit our website at www.steambioafrica.com.na for more information.

22/02/2024

Earlier this week, the Namibia Biomass Industry Group in conjunction with Carbon Capital, hosted a stakeholder session in Okandjira, Ovitoto, Namibia. The event aimed to raise awareness about bush encroachment and the SteamBioAfrica initiative's role in creating sustainable value chains. Epafras Andreas of N-BiG presented on invasive bush species and sustainable harvesting methods, highlighting benefits for soil quality and animal feed. Female farmers showed particular interest, engaging in discussions and witnessing a live demonstration of solid biofuel's cooking and heating benefits.

Constituency Councillor Mr. Israel Hukura pledged community support in combating invasive biomass and promoting sustainable energy. 🌿💡

19/02/2024

Our project partners at Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation - BITRI collaborated with the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) in Botswana to train 45 local entrepreneurs on SBA commercialisation. The session covered SBA fuel's business potential, Business Model Canvas (BMC) usage in business planning, and the benefits of bush harvesting and processing.

It also provided action planning exercises and knowledge-sharing talks, aligned with empowering women and marginalised communities into our entrepreneurship development goal. This collaboration also offered a valuable opportunity to promote sustainability and advance SBA commercialisation, fostering biomass industry development in Botswana.

See some highlights from the event, and do not forgot to visit our website at www.steambioafrica.com for more information about us🙂

02/02/2024

Huw Parry at the Bio360 Expo which took place last month.

01/02/2024

Empowering MSMEs in bush biomass! 🌿

Our recent MSME training session on Monday at the Namibia University of Science and Technology - NUST, focused on enhancing the capacity of businesses involved in the production and sale of different bush biomass value chains; such as firewood, charcoal, woodchips etc. Tailored to their unique contexts, the program delved into topics like business model development, financial planning, and marketing strategies.

We're excited to see these small enterprises benefit from the new opportunities our solid biofuel presents, all the while fostering sustainability and knowledge sharing.

25/01/2024

The Bio360 Expo is still ongoing and proving to be a resounding success🙂

Filled with captivating conferences, motivational meetings, and enlightening discoveries, this event serves as a genuine wellspring of inspiration for all those engaged in the field of biotransition.

Thank you to all who came to view our stand.

19/01/2024

Five more days to go!🙂

For a chance to view Huw Parry's live talk, kindly pop into stand J24 at 16H35, on 24 January. Thereafter, on day two of the event, Dr Heike Knicker of CSIC will be overseeing a discussion panel from 10H00 in the 'Biochar' venue.

Come and listen to the potential benefits and opportunities the biomass sector presents.

See you there.

09/01/2024

Happy new year to everyone🙂

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Bio360 Expo happening in Nantes, France from 24 - 25 January, remember to catch Huw Parry's presentation at stand J24 at 16h35 online on day one. Moreover on day two of the event, Dr Heike Knicker from CSIC, will also be moderating a discussion panel as from 10h00 in the 'Biochar' venue room.

Live streams are available by visiting the event website.

Kindly see the expo's program link by clicking here: https://www.bio360expo.com/ConferenceList/559?lang=en&aid=1374&view=accordeon

For more information, watch our preambular video on YouTube by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78dU1MW8_rY

20/12/2023

We recently featured in the Conservation Namibia magazine; a local publication with a focus on protecting on the local environment and animal conservation.

Carbon Capital's Managing Director, Colin Lindeque, sat down with the magazine's editor and gave an overview of Steambioafrica's activities and the critical role the biomass sector has to play in the economic development of Namibia. Given that about 50% of citizens still rely on firewood as their primary energy source means the opportunity to switch from fossil fuels to renewable biomass for thermal energy, should be capitalised on.

Key areas discussed included ways on marketing the biomass to the world as a win-win for the environment and regional economic development, strategies for maximising the economic returns from the invasive biomass, and going beyond primary production while using biomass to create more value?

You can read the full article on their website by clicking below.

The National Dialogue Platform for Bush Resources seeks to explore opportunities and share ideas to promote a Namibian bush biomass sector that benefits people, the environment and the economy.

15/12/2023

Dear colleagues and partners

We have consistently executed trial runs involving different particle sizes and quantities, of raw biomass material being processed through the biomass processing unit on site. The results look promising and the data obtained will help us further refine our methodolgy to achieve the maximum output benefit.

For further reading, kindly visit our website at www.steambioafrica.com

Below is a sample of some processed P100 woody material obtained.

29/11/2023

As part of our journey to spread awareness about our renewable solid biofuel initiative, some of our colleagues from CSIC spoke to some high school students in Seville about the reasoning, concepts and aims behind the project.

Other broader issues covered included how the EU finances different research projects and further details about environmental matters including the aspect of performing fieldwork in the African Savannah.

About 60 students were addressed and the presentation was well received andd you can view some highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcW9P1BhVY