Yves Ryckmans graduated from the University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, and conducted a PhD study at the same university on modelling heat transfer in furnaces by finite elements techniques. In 1989, he joined Laborelec research Centre of Electrabel as a research engineer in the field of nuclear energy. From 1996 on, he initiated the development of fixed bed gasification and CFB gasification of wood through several Belgian and European projects. In 1999 he became Head of the Biomass Competence Centre of Electrabel at Laborelec. This competence centre covers more than 15 years technical issues like co-firing biomass in pulverised-coal power plants, biomass gasification, biomass fuel quality, biogas applications and biomass sustainability verification. His R&D efforts were focused on CFD modelling of PC boilers, slagging and fouling, NOx and SOx emissions, biomass milling and upgrading, ESP, ash quality and utilisation, as well as the verification of sustainability criteria for solid biomass. Currently, Yves Ryckmans is Chief Technology Officer Biomass at Laborelec. As such, he is managing research and services for bio-energy applications within GDF SUEZ Group.