The case for biomass

The Government’s upcoming ROCs banding review must provide clarity for the renewables industry, at a time where sustained subsidies are vital - says Green Energy Parks’ Managing Director, Chris Williams. Here, he outlines why the team at Green Energy Parks is hoping to see a boost in Government support for biomass…

As Parliament comes back from recess this week, we expect DECC to launch its consultation on the Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) banding review any moment now. Building upon the path laid out by the Government’s July White Paper for Electricity Market Reform, this banding review will provide a crucial opportunity to drive for system reform and stability for renewables. It is vital that we achieve clarity to nurture market investment and push forward for a truly low-carbon economy.

In particular, the team at Green Energy Parks (GEP) hopes to see a boost in Government support for biomass – recognised increasingly as a credible fuel source to cut down emissions, reduce consumer energy prices and meet our renewables targets. As the Policy Director of the Renewable Energy Foundation stressed last month, biomass presents a highly cost-effective renewables option, which could significantly help to reduce our dependence on increasingly expensive fossil fuels.

As recognised in Arup’s study this June on costs and deployment potential for renewable technologies, deployment of these kinds of technologies is still relatively underdeveloped in the UK compared to other EU member states and there is huge potential to expand. Indeed, with Government support sustained at the right level, electricity generation from biomass derived from waste could be doubled from current levels by 2020 and trebled by 2030. It is vital that we support growth on this level if the UK is to meet its ambitious 2015 renewables target.

When the proposed future ROCs bandings are unveiled, GEP expects that the banding for advanced gasification technology will remain at 2x ROCs/MWh, that banding for standard gasification will remain at 1 ROC/MWh, and that the banding for combustion technology using dedicated biomass as a feedstock will stay at 1.5x ROCs/MWh. All of these banding levels would provide the necessary clarity and stability to ensure that gasification and combustion-based technologies continue to expand.

Solutions like those being carried forward by GEP at EnergyPark Peterborough effectively draw upon a mix of technologies – with biomass gasification at the very heart – to meet increased demands for renewable energy and the requirement to divert more waste from landfill.

Renewable energy from biomass presents a particularly attractive, stable option for the Government and potential investors. Whilst being shielded from the variable effects of weather, unlike some renewables technologies, gasification technology can also be used as a means to divert many thousands of tonnes of mixed waste from landfill every year, at the same time as making a significant contribution to green-electricity generation. As a leading example, EnergyPark Peterborough will take in up to 650,000 tonnes of feedstock per year and generate enough renewable energy to power 60,000 homes.

How it is envisaged EnergyPark Peterborough will look on completion (image courtesy Green Energy Parks)