BIOMASS ENERGY IN UK

Biomass Energy In UK



Biomass Energy In UK

Introduction

In recent years, the UK bioenergy market has grown considerably, consuming over 33 PJ of biomass-derived energy in 2006 (see Table 1). This figure is likely to grow as the obligation to produce renewable electricity becomes stricter and the obligation to use biofuel blends in transport takes effect. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how international bioenergy trade has developed in the UK and what role imported biomass is likely to play in the energy mix up to 2010. The paper also discusses critical issues in determining the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigated through bioenergy and the development of a mandatory carbon reporting framework for UK biofuels. The paper focuses on the technological, institutional and policy context that has driven UK bioenergy trade to its current level and is likely to continue in the near future. It provides an overview of the UK energy sector, demonstrating that bioenergy, excluding refuse-derived forms such as landfill gas combustion, has traditionally played a minor role in the UK energy system. Section 3 examines individual UK bioenergy markets, and their policy drivers, in greater detail. It pays particular attention to the role of co-firing biomass in coal-fired power stations and the introduction of low-blend biofuels. These sources account for a large share of UK bioenergy use, have potential for significant further growth within the existing infrastructure and have used mainly imported feedstocks. One result of the UK's traditionally neutral approach to bioenergy is a lack of integrated analysis that focuses on bioenergy supply and demand. Section 4 attempts to rectify this by combining elements of existing assessments into an indicative estimate of both the UK demand for bioenergy and the potential domestic bioenergy resource in 2010. Section 5 discusses some of the issues that are important in determining the GHG emissions savings that can be achieved through importing biomass and how these issues could be addressed through the UK's carbon reporting framework for biofuels.

Overview of UK energy sector

Over the last 30 years, the UK has switched from being a net exporter, becoming a net importer of primary energy in 2004, when it imported about 5% of consumption. Production of North Sea oil and gas peaked at levels of 3.6 and 4.5 EJ in 1999 and 2000, respectively . The period from 1970 to 2005 also saw a shift from coal to gas as the main source of primary energy, and towards greater use of gas and electricity in final consumption. Natural gas accounted for 41% of primary fuel consumption for energy use in 2004 compared to 5.4% in 1970. The use of coal as a primary fuel also fell from 47.1% of total use to 16.7%

In 2006, biomass from sources other than sewage and refuse accounted for 3.3 TWh (11.9 PJ) or 18.3% of renewable electricity generation. The largest generators were hydro (25.3%), landfill gas (24.3%) and wind (23.3%). In Fig. 1,(see appendices) biofuels are represented by the shaded ...