UPDATE AND EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

UPDATE AND EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING STUDIES IN LATVIA Latvia University of Agriculture Gints Birzietis 13. 10. 2008. Faculty of Engineering Latvia University of Agriculture

COURSES IN BIOFUELS, BIOMATERIALS AND QUALITY OF PRODUCTS free choice study subjects for undergraduate study program: Biofuels for the IC Engines - 3 ECTS Quality Systems – 2 ECTS Internal Audit – 2 ECTS Bioenergetics – 3 ECTS (from next year) compulsory study subject “Renewable Energy” (3 ECTS) within the graduate study program of Agricultural Energetics free choice study subject “Alternative Fuels and Oils” (3 ECTS) for the graduate study program of Agricultural Engineering 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 2

ENROLMENT OF STUDENTS IN BIO-RELATED COURSES free choice study subjects for undergraduate study program: Biofuels for the IC Engines - 4 Quality Systems – 9 Internal Audit – 2 Bioenergetics – ? (from next year) compulsory study subject “Renewable Energy” - 14 free choice study subject “Alternative Fuels and Oils” -3 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 3

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IN BIO-RELATED STUDIES The main education and research infrastructure related to bio-fuels, biomaterials and quality of products are situated in the three laboratories of the Faculty of Engineering: Research Laboratory of Agricultural Machine Mechanics Biogas Research Laboratory Biofuels Research Laboratory 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 4

Research Laboratory of Agricultural Machine Mechanics Main research projects “Conditioning of herbaceous biomass in processing and energy production”, “Investigation of biomass properties and production process of biomass compositions”, “Mechanization of stalk material conditioning processes”, “Investigation of biomass cutting and processing”, “Biomass compaction for production of energy”, “Usage of biomass pellets for heating”. . . 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 5

Biogas Research Laboratory Main research projects “Forced bioconversion of solid municipal waste in experimental cell” “Development of methodology for biologically degradable waste anaerobic conversion in rural areas” “Biogas production in Latvia: investigations on raw materials, processes and equipment” “Biomass and bioenergy potentials in Germany, Poland Baltic countries”. . . 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 6

Biofuels Research Laboratory Main research projects “Logistics and usage liquid and gaseous biofuels” “Energy Efficiency of Combined Biofuels for Internal Combustion Engines” “Modeling and optimization of biofuel logistic systems” “Influence of Biodiesel Fuel on Fuel Consumption” “Fuel Consumption Measurements at the Car Operating with Ethanol-Gasoline Fuels” “Studies of Dynamic Parameters of the Car Working on Ethanol and Gasoline Blends”, “Otto Engine Adaptation for Operation with Ethanol Fuel”. . . 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 7

CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE BIO-MARKET IN LATVIA The most used forms of renewable energy resources in Latvia are wood and hydroresources, which make up one-third of the balance of Latvian primary energy resources. State policy of renewable energy resources is aimed at promotion of their use. One of the tasks of this policy is to encourage use of biomass in cogeneration plants. Main goals of the policy of renewable energy resources to be achieved are as follows: electricity acquired from renewable energy resources should constitute 49. 3% of the total generated volume of electricity in 2010; share of renewable energy resources in the total balance of energy resources should be at least 37%; share of biofuel in power intensity of the total commercialized transport fuel should make up 5. 75% in 2010. Interest of pertaining companies in development of the new courses in bio-area are dual 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 8

Thank you for attention! 13. 10. 2008. 2 nd ERABEE Workshop - Dublin 9