Biomass Energy Dan Crowe 24 th February 2005

Potential uses for Biomass Electricity generation Co-firing in power stations Space and water heating Transport Fuels

Most efficient use of Biomass? Probably for space and water heating at community level or in large buildings 85-90% efficiency compared to ~30% in power stations (higher in CHP though) Less processing and expense than in liquid transport fuels

Sources of Biomass Energy Crops e.g. Oilseed Rape Grasses e.g. Miscanthus Forestry e.g. Conifer Plantations By-Products e.g. Forest cuttings etc.

How much is available? Difficult to calculate precisely… However, Forestry Commission state current availability of 3.1 Million Tonnes/year of forest by- products Agricultural policies mean that over 600,000 hectares are available on Set Aside Land, can be used for Energy Crops.

How much would this provide? 3.1 million tonnes= saving of 55.8 PJ to national grid (biomass heating instead of electricity) Forestry on Set Aside (in 30 years)= PJ saving Or Miscanthus on Set Aside (in ~2 years)= PJ saving (MAX!) (Both assuming 90% boiler efficiencies)

Projections With construction of boiler houses and piping completed by 2015 (assumption), 55.8 PJ PJ (Miscanthus)= –193.7 PJ by 2015 (assumes 100% of set aside) –Or 53.8 PJ of Electricity- available by 2015? –Forestry on set aside would take 30+ years to be able to sustain continuous production, Short Rotation Cropping lasts only 5-10 years

What about Biofuels? Biodiesel most feasible wit h current infrastructure (from oilseed rape) Set Aside Land: 11.9 PJ by 2010 Assuming uptake by farmers, set aside and current crops: 99.5 PJ by 2015 Its either this OR the Miscanthus, or more likely a mix of the two

(Heating can be seen as a reduction in electricity demand)