Foreword
We begin with some landmark news
from Europe: analysis from Germany has suggested that 2017 was the first year
on record that renewable power generation in Europe was higher than power
generation from coal. Of the continent’s power mix, 20.9% came from renewables
(classified as wind, solar, and biomass) as opposed to 20.6% from coal. This is
thanks to a 7% decrease in coal generation from 2016, compared with an 8% increase
in renewables generation. The significance of this should be celebrated, as it
shows how far we have come in changing the energy landscape of Europe to be
less carbon emission-intense. However, it also illustrates how far there is
still to go.
Bioenergy’s contribution to this transformation
should not be understated. As we have previously reported, bioenergy often
provides the “baseline” generation of the renewable mix, allowing the more
seasonal generation of wind and solar to build on that foundation. Biomass
power has also.........
Other News this Month Includes:
Policy
- BEIS seeks evidence
for future decarbonisation of heating
- Auditors share common issues found in RHI
audits
- Ireland publishes bioeconomy policy
statement
- MPs critical of Green Investment Bank
- World Bioenergy Association joins IRENA
Coalition for Action
Markets
- Renewables overtake coal generation in
Europe
Research & Development
- Assessing US potential for Carbon Capture
Biomass Heat and Power
- Clarification
issued on use of waste wood for heat
- Five new industrial-scale pellet-burning
plants in Europe by 2020
- 2017 doubles 2016's biomass deployment in
the US
- Kent Biomass facility close to
commissioning
- Drax 2017 earnings show growth
- Montenegro encouraging biomass conversion
with loans
Biogas
- REA questions Defra's assumptions about ammonia from digestate spreading
Energy from Waste
- Allerton waste
Recovery Park begins operations
- Fiberight EfW plant nears completion
Events
ROC Prices