Martyn and I are now in our fourth week of work in Veolia Energy!

Time just seems to be passing us by at warp speed!

Last Friday we visited a Biomass Power Plant in Portsmouth (see photo) and it certainly surprised me how logistical it is. For example:

• The site receives 75 truckloads of wood-chip a day
• They burn 70 tons of wood-chip an hour all day every day
• Almost all the wood is from within a 25 mile radius of the plant

So, the availability of large quantities of wood and the transportation infrastructure to get it to the plant is critical to the business.  That is where Martyn and I fit in.  We are evaulating the sustainability of biomass supply in several key States that Veolia Energy are considering moving into 

On a personal note, I would like to share with you some interesting things I have picked up on as a Scotsman working in Boston:

• The word "fortnight" has absolutely no meaning in the US.  In fact you will probably be accused of making up random words.
• The time "half five" does not translate well.  It may result in the person coming to meet you at 4:30 (aka "half of five" in American) 
• I have been told that if you say to someone "we will meet at 2pm tomorrow - i'll put it in my diary", what you are actually saying is "I am a 16 year old girl that will write about you in my diary tonight".  Very odd!  

Remember to use the word CALENDAR!

James Murray