NNFCC News Review: Bioenergy Issue 144, March 2024

To access the News Reviews, subscribe to our Information Package free of charge here.

Foreword

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a Call for Evidence (CfE) to help inform its future policy framework for biomethane. Evidence is requested via an online survey and responses from leaders in sustainable heat, power, transport fuels, circular agriculture and low-carbon waste management are particularly encouraged. The call aims to collect empirical evidence about the barriers to market growth and adaptation of the latest biomethane production methods and related technologies, e.g. carbon capture and storage (CCS). Further, it seeks to gather insight to assess the potential contribution of this industry in achieving net zero through robust sustainability criteria. As policy change is inevitable post-GGSS, the government encourages the respondents to comment on the possible benefits and risks of modifying regulatory standards. Further, DESNZ is seeking data from relevant groups on the costs and revenues associated with biomethane production from AD, including potential additional revenue streams.

In a separate call, the Scottish government has opened a Consultation that aims to collect views for the successful development of a homegrown market for production of sustainable bioenergy feedstocks. The Scottish government is focussing on the potential to scale up domestic production of perennial energy crops whilst also considering other biomass sources and end uses. In their text, they stress the need for action as Climate Change Committee (CCC) advised increasing the cultivation of perennial energy crops to 700,000 ha by 2050. As of 2018, UK had only reached around 1.5% (i.e., 10,000 ha) of that target. Growth of perennial energy crops has stalled in recent years, as early planting grants were removed and more recent market incentives, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have come to an end, so end markets are no longer developing at such a pace...

Other News this Month Includes:

Policy

Future policy framework for biomethane production: call for evidence
Bioenergy - Draft policy statement: Consultation (Scotland)
Brussels, EU states mismatch on bioenergy

Markets

ENGIE acquires Rainbarrow Farm and strengthens its presence in the UK biomethane market
Green Gas support scheme expenditure forecast statement for the quarter ending 31st January 2023
More...

Research & Development

Drax partners with LSU to support sustainable forestry, renewable energy
SoCalGas Joins Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Electrochaea to Help Advance Gas Infrastructure Decarbonization

Biomass Heat and Power

Haffner Energy and Hexas build an integrated offer for the production of renewable energy from biomass
Sustainable bioenergy potential in Caribbean small island developing states
ICE promotes 412 megawatts of solar, wind and biomass projects with an investment of $539 million

Energy from Waste

Isle of Wight Energy from Waste plant starts final testing
Augean servicing the UK’s Energy from Waste sector

Biogas

Levidian and United Utilities shine a light on biogas to hydrogen pilot
New Danish pyrolysis technology to repurpose surplus wastewater & biogas sludge
Waga Energy launches its first landfill gas to RNG project in the United States

Carbon Capture

'UK first': Enfinium to trial carbon capture system at Ferrybridge energy from waste plant
US major and Japanese partner make carbon capture move in Asia Pacific
Queensland farming lobby launches legal challenge against Great Artesian Basin carbon capture trial