WALNUT, Calif., Nov. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VIASPACE Inc. (OTCQB:VSPC) today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, is in Asia where he made an invited presentation at the Forum on Renewable Energy Development in Myanmar: New Directions and Investment Opportunities held November 1-2 in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar. The Forum was organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which funds infrastructure including power plant projects in developing Asian countries, to promote renewable energies and interactions with Myanmar government officials in the Ministries of Electric Power, Agriculture and Irrigation, and Industry.
VIASPACE released a picture of CEO Dr. Carl Kukkonen speaking at the Forum on Renewable Energy Development in Myanmar. If the photo is not displayed, click on this link http://pricetargetmedia.com/images/viaspace_ceo_renewable_energy_forum_myanmar.jpg .
The Asian Development Bank agenda for the Forum stated, "With the recent change in policy directions in Myanmar, ADB… promotes the development of renewable energies, clean fuels and energy efficiency by highlighting new policies, resource and market potential in the country and facilitating exchange of information with potential donors and investors. The main objective of this Renewable Energy Forum is to discuss new policy directions, present opportunities as well as provide an overview of regional and international practices and key challenges in renewable energy development."
The Forum included presentations on hydroelectricity, wind and solar power, and Dr. Kukkonen was the primary speaker on biomass energy. His presentation "Biomass Electricity Production Options for Myanmar" is available on the VIASPACE website www.VIASPACE.com. In addition to ADB and the Myanmar ministries, there were presentations by General Electric on wind energy, Conergy on solar power, Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Germany's Renewable Energy Support Program (GIZ), and others.
Dr. Kukkonen stated, "Myanmar desperately needs electricity as it is emerging from decades of being a closed society. The United States, European Union and the United Nations are aggressively working to help Myanmar. Only 27% of the population has electricity at all. GDP growth is projected at 10% per year. Electricity is needed for poverty alleviation and industrial development. Everyone recognizes that electricity is the key to development and becoming a modern society. Solar and wind energy are transient and require backup generation capability that is not available on the grid in Myanmar yet. Biomass electricity is base energy that can be delivered 24 hours a day. This was recognized by everyone at the Forum."
Kukkonen continued, "I presented specific biomass electricity generation options using Giant King™ Grass. A One MW biogas power plant using anaerobic digestion of Giant King Grass can be built in 12 months and would serve up to 13,000 rural families and provide electricity for schools and small factories. This can be set up in a rural area including a micro-grid for electricity generation and provide electricity at a cost that is much less expensive than using diesel generators. A 30 MW direct combustion power plant would serve up to 400,000 rural families and provide a 2% increase in electricity available in Myanmar. It could be standalone in a rural region or connected to the grid. Both options are scalable and multiple power plants could be built in a short time. Myanmar is very well suited for Giant King Grass."
VIASPACE Chairman, Dr. Kevin Schewe, commented: "Myanmar is emerging from a closed society to an open society with an exciting future. Along with our partners in Myanmar, we plan to demonstrate how Giant King Grass can provide a green, versatile and continuously renewable bioenergy platform for electricity generation, biofuels, biochemicals and bioplastics. Our CEO is currently traveling and meeting with existing and potential customers in Southeast Asia and we are also very busy working on Giant King Grass deals in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. We are proud of our current trajectory and momentum and will continue to actively share our progress as it occurs."
Previously VIASPACE announced a memorandum of understanding and contract with JUNE Industry Ltd. of Yangon Myanmar to develop commercial applications of Giant King Grass in Myanmar. During the visit to Myanmar, Dr. Kukkonen met with JUNE and other customers.
About VIASPACE Inc.
VIASPACE grows renewable Giant KingTM Grass as a low-carbon fuel for clean electricity generation; for environmentally friendly energy pellets; and as a feedstock for bio-methane production and for green cellulosic biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials. Giant King Grass is a proprietary, high yield, dedicated biomass clean energy crop that does not compete with or displace food production.
Safe Harbor Statement
Information in this news release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, risks outlined in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and other factors over which VIASPACE has little or no control.
For more information, please go to www.VIASPACE.com or contact Dr. Jan Vandersande, Director of Communications, at 800-517-8050 or IR@VIASPACE.com.
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The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | CEO Dr Carl Kukkonen speaking at the Forum on Renewable Energy Development in Myanmar |