Alternative fuels for Suffolk

Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuel sources including fuel crops, biomass and anaerobic digestion; and the use of alternative fuels for business and community schemes, grants and start-up advice.

You can watch the full session by clicking on this link

James Beal (chair)
Director, Renewables East

James has headed Renewables East, the agency for renewable energy in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire since May 2004. James’s previous role of Sustainable Development Manager with Yorkshire Forward and interim CEO of Future Energy Company included bringing forward low carbon solutions within the regional economy, representing the region’s energy interest at a national and international level, and raising awareness of sustainable development and carbon related issues. Prior to this, James worked as Sustainable Development Analyst and Planning Strategy Team and Environment Assessment Officer for Warwickshire County Council. He is also director of Kirklees Energy Centre, an independent energy efficiency advice centre for Calderdale and Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Geraint Castleton-White
Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering

Geraint Castleton-White is Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering and has worked in the automotive industry for 30 years, during this time he has been involved in many road and race car projects including the Jaguar XJ220 supercar, Aston Martin DB7, Cosworth F1 and more recently the Lotus EVE hybrid and Exige 265E bio fuel car. Lotus is actively pursuing new technologies to reduce CO2, improve engine efficiency and promote the use of sustainable alternative fuels.

Gary Battell
Woodland Advisory Officer, Suffolk County Council

Gary Battell has been in forestry for 32 years, starting with the Forestry Commission working in the small ancient woodlands of Suffolk and Essex before moving to Dunwich to work at Tangham, and then to Felbrigg to work for the National Trust, where he managed one of the largest Countryside Stewardship parkland restoration/recreation projects in the region. He also created an ancient tree nursery, organised woodland and landscape open days and was a founder member and director of the Ancient Tree Forum. In 1998 Gary moved back to Suffolk and became Suffolk County Council’s Woodland Advisory Officer. In 2001 he organised a woodfuel event to promote the use of biomass and since then he has seen the woodfuel industry grow. Suffolk County Council have had a major influence in the region as Suffolk County have installed six woodfuel boilers with a further five being installed over the next few months. Gary is also a Trustee on the Green Light Trust and a director of the Small Woods Association and Heartwoods.

Dr John French
Project Leader, Alternative and Non-Food Crops, University of East Anglia

Dr John French is Project Leader and Animateur for the Innovation in Crops project. This project is a collaborative project involving EEDA, UEA and a number of other partners in the East of England and seeks to promote new commercial opportunities for businesses in the area of alternative and non food crops. John has extensive experience in a range of alternative and non food crops.

Sarah Brown
Director, Bentwaters Parks Ltd and Eastern Woodfuel

Sarah is a director of Bentwaters Parks Ltd and responsible for their new biomass enterprise Eastern Woodfuel. Eastern Woodfuel was set up by Bentwaters Parks to supply pellets and woodchip to Suffolk County Council. The business has expanded quickly alongside wood fuel heating systems. They aim to provide a regional centre for woodfuel production, storage and delivery.