BIOENERGY - BIOGRAPHIES

Chair: PROFESSOR C PAUL MITCHELL, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Energy Technologies

Prof Paul Mitchell has over 25 years experience in conducting research, development and demonstration in renewable energies. He has worked closely with government departments and agencies, research institutes, international organisations and industry as programme and project manager developing biomass and bioenergy as an economically viable and sustainable source of energy. The development of wood either as co-products from the conventional forest industries or as short rotation coppice energy crops has been a particular focus.

He is the author of over 200 scientific papers, editor of a book and 16 conference proceedings. Professor Mitchell is the Chief Editor of the academic journal Biomass and Bioenergy published by Elsevier.

Professor Mitchell is based in the University of Aberdeen, College of Physical Sciences where he is Director of the Institute of Energy Technologies. The Institute brings together all the research in the University directed at energy related issues. Prime strengths are in renewables (biomass, biofuels, wave, fuel cells), petroleum geology, storage of nuclear waste, economics & policy, supply system modelling, carbon sequestration, design of energy efficient buildings. Professor Mitchell is a founder Director of the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG).

Stefan Schleicher is a professor of economics at the University of Graz and at the Austrian Institute for Economic Research. He has considerable experience in the economic aspects of renewable energy technologies and has been advising the Austrian government on its climate strategy and renewable energy policies.

Paula Keelagher, brites Technical Development Manager, Balcas Ltd., Paula joined Balcas Ltd as brites Technical Development Manager in December 2006. Balcas is one of Britain and Ireland’s largest wood product suppliers, with operations in Enniskillen, Kildare, Estonia and Russia. Balcas operate the largest wood pellet mill in the British Isles. Paula has a proven track record in the energy field with the Northern Ireland Energy Agency for the past 11 years. Roles with the NIEA included outreach energy advice work, Fuel Poverty Officer and EEAC Manager with the EST EEAC Network. Previous roles included Domestic Energy Efficiency Surveyor (Warm Homes) for the government funded fuel poverty programme and Tribunial Officer with Citizens Advice Bureau representing clients at Social Secuity Benefit Appeals. Paula is a qualified Site and Plan Assessor for the National Home Energy Rating Scheme. Paula is very interested in rural issues particularly housing.

Dr Peter J. Martin is currently Director of the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College which is an academic partner in UHI, the project to bring a University to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

BIOFUELS

Jason Woods – Business Development Manager (Biofuels), INEOS Enterprises Ltd

Mr. Woods began his career in the retail sector with various roles for The John Lewis Partnership between 1994 – 1999. He joined BP in 1999 as Retail Operation Store Opening Manager for the Joint Venture between BP and Safeway.  In 2002 Jason took up a Convenience Sales Manager position, helping launch the new BP Connect convenience forecourt offer and the launch of Ultimate fuels.  

Jason joined BP Petrochemicals in 2004 as the Marketing Projects Manager and later that same year progressed into the role of Capability Manager for the Innovene European Derivative Product business, responsible for all areas of Marketing, Business and Process Development.

In May 2006, Jason was appointed Business Development Manager of INEOS Enterprises.