Foreword
Of course, the main justification
behind bioenergy is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our
dependence on fossil fuels, and finding uses for waste biomass, are both
important, but the key driver is emissions reduction. Bioenergy, unless it is
deployed alongside carbon capture and storage, does not lead to a net reduction
in emissions, but remains theoretically
“carbon neutral”, as the biomass burned has absorbed carbon from the atmosphere
during its life – this is still preferable to fossil fuels, which have no such
mitigating factors – so any touted emissions reductions are relative to
unbridled fossil fuel burning: still progress. However, reducing emissions from energy
generation is a difficult process economically, as in the current market – with
low fossil fuel prices – renewables, including bioenergy, are at a fiscal
disadvantage. It is the job of lawmakers to ease this economic burden by
providing financial incentives. Although many incentives, such as Feed-in
Tariffs and Contracts for Difference, seek to remunerate renewables generators,
another approach is.........
Other News this Month Includes:
Policy
- UK committee recommends net-zero emissions
target by 2050
- Scotland to tackle food waste with Anaerobic
Digestion
- VAT to increase for biomass boiler
installations
- Humber region bids to become UK carbon
capture hub
Markets
- UK runs coal-free for a week
- UK to consult on carbon pricing
- Registration open for third round of UK CfD
Research & Development
- BEIS committee calls for more ambitious
Carbon Capture deployment
Biomass Heat and Power
- Planning permission evidence required for
RHI audits
- Increase in US biomass generation predicted
- French paper mill to have biomass boiler
Biogas
- 1 million UK homes now supplied with Green
Gas
- AD sector calls for consistent food waste
collection
- Nordfuel biorefinery to be biggest biogas
producer in the Nordic region
- Finnish dairy looks to produce biogas from
manure
Events
ROC Prices