assetlifet h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e t t e r o f E P M s o l u t i o n s L t d

A U T U M N 2 0 0 7

Client profileFocus on waste management

specialists WM Tracey

EPM project updateDetails of EPM’s latest

projects

CDM 2007 updateHow the update affects

contractors

bio fuel future THE BENEFITS OF EVOLVING BIOFUELS

The European Union has committed itself to increase the share of biofuels used in transport to 10% by 2020. The aim is to reduce the impact of climate change, as well as Europe’s dependence on oil. However, if this

is to be achieved the production efficiency needs to be improved and we have to make certain that biofuels are sustainable. The current thinking is that these issues will be overcome through the development of second-generation biofuels. It is believed that they will offer an 85% cut in carbon emissions, including the energy needed to produce them with second-generation fuels reaching the market in 4 to 5 years.

In the past few years, interest in biofuels has soared, thanks to the combination of high oil prices and concern about climate change, but not all biofuels have the same carbon profile. The first generation main players are bioethanol and biodiesel, which are made from food crops, such as maize, rapeseed, palm oil and sugarcane. Second generation biofuels differ in that they use lignocelluloses. Lignocellulose refers to biomass - meaning anything that comes out of the ground. Rather than just taking the grain from wheat and grinding that down to get starch and gluten, then taking the starch, second-generation biofuels will utilise the whole crop. The effect will be a doubling of the yields for the same effort resulting in more efficient production and a lower carbon footprint. Also, because the technology will allow biofuel to be produced from any plant material, there would be no conflict between the need for food and the need for fuel.

Oil giant BP is investing $500m (£266m) in an “energy bioscience institute”, which will be based in California. The company is also investing money into research in India, where it is looking at whether it can derive biodiesel from plants that can be grown on soil not suitable for food crops. Second generation biofuel production is currently much more expensive with a world scale plant costing £200m compared to £50m for biodiesel. That said, the advantages are clear and the technology is quickly advancing, which is why everyone is paying close attention to the ongoing development of biofuel technology - watch this space!

Staff SpotlightJ A M E S WA L L

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Place of birthThe bonnie wee toon of GreenockPosition held at workProject ManagerInterestsPlaying Golf, watching football, motorcycles, wine, women and song. All the usual bloke stuffFavourite foodLove my wife’s Thai curry. Also love fish dishes. I’ll have a go at just about anything thoughFavourite music and artistI’ve always been a big fan of ‘The Who’. But I like different artists from the various eras 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s etc. I even like some of the latest stuff like ‘The Killers’ and ‘Snow Patrol’. My favourite single of all time is ‘Stay with Me’ by The Faces.Currently in the car I’m listening to ‘Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Live’Favourite movieThe Godfather trilogyFavourite place visitedUrapukapuka, Bay of Islands, New Zealand ScotlandFavourite actorJack LemonFavourite TV programmeThe Sopranos

Under the spotlight for this issue is James Wall - another relative new start at EPM.

If you were not at EPM what would you like to be doing?Project Manager, building luxury beach-houses on an Island paradiseIf you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?Osama Bin-laden. Just to find out where I was hiding and if I really was a bogeyman.One thing that nobody knows about youWhen I was a teenager I played guitar in a rock band that toured Scotland. We also played in the USA (Well, just the American Naval Base in Dunoon but the band still refers to it as the ‘American Tour’).What would you do if you won the lotteryDivvy it up between family and friends then build a luxury beach-house on Urapukapuka. When I had completed my beach-house I would sail around the Bay of Islands in my rather large and expensive yacht, sipping on a Jack D and pondering my next move.If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?Reverse the effects of global warming and pollution. Looks like we’ve ruined the planet doesn’t it?What do you enjoy most about working at EPMGood bunch of people, interesting work and every day brings new challenges. Only being 1/2 hr up the road from home is also a bonus

On September 30th 2007 50,000 runners crossed the iconic Tyne Bridge in Newcastle under a flypast from the Red Arrows in the world’s biggest half marathon. One of those runners was EPM’s own

Gary Kerr running in the event for the second year on the trot. Gary managed to drag himself round the 13.1 mile course in a personal best time of 2 hours 8 minutes and 43 seconds...not bad considering he was out of practice.

Having last year raised £1,325 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society Gary’s chosen charity for this event was a Paisley based hospice called ACCORD. They provide a palliative care service that Gary’s own family and friends have benefited from. So far £965 has been raised with another £158 added through Gift Aid, making a grand total of £1,123. Gary would like to thank everyone for their generous support and if you wish you can still sponsor Gary by visiting his fundraising webpage at www.justgiving.co.uk/garykerr - go on it’s all for a good cause!

© 2007 EPM Solutions Ltd. EPM Solutions endeavours to ensure that the information in assetlife is up to date and accurate. However, where concerned you are advised to consult with the appropriate bodies for further details. Designed & published by the marketing cafe T. 0141 644 1777

EPM Solutions Ltd. Abbey Mill, 1010-1012 Mile End, Seedhill, Paisley, PA1 1TJ.T. 0141 848 6609 F. 0141 848 7749 E. info@epmsolutions.co.uk www.epmsolutions.co.uk

EPM’S MD DOES THE GREAT NORTH RUN...AGAIN.

Gary’s great run

Pained expression: Gary crosses the finish line