NEWS

05.03.2010

Bass participated at Baltic Summit

In February Baltic Sea Solutions participated in the Baltic Sea Action Summit. The event was organised for countries in the Baltic Sea Region, so as to strengthen awareness and cooperation about pollution in the Baltic Sea, and discuss the opportunities to restore it, for example by favouring a more sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. The meeting took place in Helsinki, and was attended by more than 500 participants. High-level guests were also invited, with the Summit seeing the presence of the king of Sweden, Carl Gustav XVI, heads of states and ministers from the 11 countries in the Baltic Sea Region. On this occasion, State representatives had the chance to present their contributions for a cleaner Baltic Sea. The preparation for the Baltic Sea Action Summit was conducted by the Baltic Sea Action Group, and the results were not less than 140 ”commitments” – agreements to improve the current situation of the Baltic Sea. Bass is involved in several projects in the Baltic Sea Region, and has committed to work for a Baltic Sea Region Summer School for students and professionals.  It is founded upon the existing Summer Research Programme, which has been organized and implemented for the last three years between Denmark and California. An agreement where the students, together with researchers and industry leaders, shall investigate and identify development opportunities at local and regional level, explains Bass Director, Hilary Lewis Karlson. Baltic Sea Action Group is a part of the Foundation for a Living Baltic Sea, and will ensure the implementation and follow-up of the various commitments.

26.02.2010

Energy technology from Denmark to Iowa

The representatives from Elk Horn have a great interest in the Danish energy technology of which they wish to create a showcase in Elk Horn. It is their hope that it can facilitate the Danish companies' access to the U.S. market. Bass had arranged a meeting between the delegation from Elk Horn and Mr. Jan Gunner from Danish Solar Energy and concrete projects were discussed. As part of the effort in Elk Horn, it has been decided to start a micro-brewery. On the trip to Lolland the delegation therefore visited Krenkerup Gods, where the owner Mr. Patrick Reventlow-Grinling told about the estate’s history and background for establishing a brewery on the estate. The visit was a great inspiration, both in terms of the brewery, but also Krenkerup Gods' impressive old buildings. When constructing the centre building of the energy exhibition in Elk Horn, details of the traditional Danish manor style architecture will be implemented. All in all the delegation couldn’t get enough of Denmark and Danish products – they are very aware of their own background. 40% of the inhabitants of Elk Horn descend from the Danes who settled in the area more than 100 years ago.

22.02.2010

Business Delegation from Telemark Region visits Lolland

On Wednesday 24th of February Bass will receive a visit from a 13 strong delegation from Telemark region led by the Norwegian umbrella organisation Green Business Norway. The purpose of their visit is to learn about new energy and climate projects on Lolland. Green Business Norway is an organisation with approximately 40 member companies from the Norwegian environment and energy sectors. Bass is one of the partners with Green Business Norway in the Nordic Innovation Centre financed Nordic Cleantech Alliance project, which concentrates on the transfer of Nordic Cleantech and Renewable Energy competences to the US and Baltic markets. The possibility of collaborating with Bass regarding Climate Action Map and the Community Testing Facility concept will also be discussed during the meeting on the 24th, where SEAS-NVE and Region Sjaelland are also to be represented. For further information please contact Chief Engineer Jesper Krogh Jensen, who will head the Energy Tour for Bass. Tel. +45 5446 5922.

10.02.2010

Danish Colony visiting Lolland

On Friday the 12th of February Bass receives a visit by the Danish colony of Elk Horn in Iowa, USA. The three visitors, Mike Howard, Lisa Steen Riggs and Trevor Schroeter are here to  look at renewable energy in order to transform Elk Horn into an exhibition for renewable energy. Elk Horn is the largest Danish colony in North America, with approx. 600 inhabitants. Officially the colony was founded around 1901, when the Dane Christian Jensen got lost on his way to Nebraska.  In 1976 the city received a Danish wind turbine from Nørre Snede, which today represents one of the city’s many tourist attractions. But if the inhabitants are to decide, this wind turbine will in the future be joined by a number of new solutions in renewable energy – and a microbrewery.

07.01.2010
COP15--- What’s next?
Bass participation at COP15 concluded on day 18/12, when Bella Centre closed its doors, Bass/Un HABITAT stand closed down and the Climate Factory’s Science-on-a-Sphere ® was promptly dismantled, starting the way down to its new “home” on Lolland. From Bass perspective, COP15 has been a very interesting event, where we have had the confirmation of the relevance and meaningful evidence of our mission –sustainability. It was incredible to experience the buzz and commitment of nearly 40,000 participants accompanying country delegations and press representatives, all of them making their way to Copenhagen ( at their own expense and from far away countries) just to voice their concern for our planet and its natural resources.  Many would have expected a more ambitious agreement than the Copenhagen Accord, but in the end, the positive side of it is that environment and climate are now on the concrete agenda of many countries, and much work will need to be done in 2010 and following years.
We at Bass are confident we are heading in the right direction, with innovative projects already ongoing and new exciting ones coming in the next months. We are confident we are working with solid prospects and delivering meaningful results, inspired also by the recognition of our work we gratefully received at our stands in Bella Centre by colleagues from all over the world. We are certainly confident that our efforts and those of our partners represent small, but serious contributions to address climate change and resource degradation. So, what’s next? 2010 will certainly be a very hectic year at Bass, above all, because it will witness the opening of the Climate Factory in Holeby, Lolland´s new “meeting point” for research, technology, education and entrepreneurship in the field of climate and sustainability. We are looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges we will face in 2010 and we hope for new stimulating activities and interesting collaborations! Happy New Year! Bass team