A focal point for the community to support ambitious scaling up of the bioenergy industry and scale of planting

Demonstration and knowledge-sharing hubs to showcase best practice and innovations in land-based biomass feedstock production

Robust, independent information on biomass feedstock performance, agronomy, economics and environmental benefits

British Renewable Energy Awards

Pioneer Winner 2023

Biomass Connect has been named the winner of the prestigious Pioneer Award at the British Renewable Energy Awards.

Building a UK wide, cohesive, regionally based community to develop and operate the platform

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Biomass and Energy Crops VI

Location: Aberystwyth

In response to the urgency of the climate emergency, biomass and energy crops are becoming an important part of the portfolio of negative emissions technologies, needed for meeting net zero […]

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Successful Greenhouse Gas Removal Future Leaders Network Demonstrator Roadshow at Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University recently hosted the Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) Future Leaders Network, as part of a GGR Demonstrator Roadshow.

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Case Study: Biofiltration blocks of Short Rotation Coppice willow used for riparian protection to reduce nutrient run-off into the water environment.

This case study explores the use of blocks of willow as riparian protection in order to reduce nutrient run-off into the water environment.

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Biomass Connect: Biomass Innovation and Information Platform

Biomass is the organic material from living organisms. In the context of Biomass Connect, the term refers to non-food crops where the whole aboveground plant biomass is harvested and used for a range of purposes including heat and electricity, fuel for transport, platform chemicals, and a range of construction, packaging, and cosmetic applications. Biomass crops are fast-growing, with a high potential energy content or calorific value.

Biomass Connect is a demonstration and knowledge-sharing initiative to showcase best practice and innovations in land-based biomass feedstock production. We seek to share knowledge and experiences that can make a significant contribution to agricultural, environmental and bioenergy policy development, practical on-farm advances, and overall growth in the UK’s biomass sector. The project also compares crop/variety performance in regions across the UK and demonstrates innovations which have the potential to maximise their economic and environmental benefits.

Biomass Connect Showcase Event

showcase event

Harnessing Innovation, the Future of Biomass

Join us for our showcase event: Harnessing Innovation, the Future of Biomass on the 7th and 8th of November 2024 at The Slate, Warwick University, Warwickshire.

The event will showcase the latest innovations in biomass production and processing emerging from the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme.

Confirmed speakers include: Steve Smith, Oxford University… Jeanette Whitaker, UKCEH… Enrique Cornejo, OEUK… Tim Volk, SUNY College US…  Paul Carver, New Energy Farms… Charlotte Powell, DESNZ.. Kerrie Farrar, Aberystwyth University… Kevin Lindegaard, Envirocrops… Jamie Rickerby, Willow Energy… Gail Shuttleworth, NNFCC…

Facilitated workshop sessions developing a blueprint for the future biomass industry.

Exhibition of planting machinery, aeroponics, decision support tools, breeding advances and other innovations from across the biomass supply chain.

Full programme available here.

 

All are welcome – please register to book a place. We look forward to seeing you there!

This event is free to attend thanks to support from the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme.

Eight demonstration hubs are located across the UK, in Ceredigion, South Ayrshire, Buckinghamshire, Devon, Edinburgh, County Down, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

Biomass Feedstocks Innovation

£32m of funding has enabled 12 organisations, including 7 small and medium-sized enterprises, to deliver commercially viable innovations in biomass production.

Crop information

Biomass crops vary greatly in size and form, ranging from towering 30-meter trees to fast-growing grasses. While they typically demand limited inputs and minimal cultivation, specific requirements vary among different crops, soil types, and climates (the impacts of different soils and regional climate variations is one reason we have our demonstrator hub sites distributed around the UK). Explore the Crop Information section of this website for comprehensive details on biomass crops featured in the Biomass Connect trials, as well as other promising candidates. 

What’s On

Check out our diary of events and demos.

01
Oct
In response to the urgency of the climate emergency, biomass and energy crops are becoming an important part of the portfolio of negative emissions technologies, needed for meeting net zero […]
08
Oct
NEF are holding a number of Open Days in 2024 to showcase the TEMPEC project, Technologies to Enhance the Multiplication and Propagation of Energy Crops, which is part of the […]
08
Oct
You are invited to join us for an afternoon Demo Event: “Willow for biomass production: Unlocking Opportunities for Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Enhancement”. This demo event brings together experts and […]
What's On
News
October 02, 2024
Successful Greenhouse Gas Removal Future Leaders Network Demonstrator Roadshow at Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University recently hosted the Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) Future Leaders Network, as part of a GGR Demonstrator Roadshow.
Read more
News from the Biomass World
September 10, 2024
Biomass crops as fertilisers
In a recently completed project, a range of rapidly growing perennials, including alder and willow were harvested and processed, and then applied to horticultural land the following season, and the results were monitored.
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Demonstrator Hub Updates
August 28, 2024
Demonstrator Hub Updates – July 2024
Significant progress has been observed in the various biomass crops, but some of the newly sown varieties are have issues with emergence. We are still waiting to see how these fare. Overall, the hubs are seeing good crop development, with ongoing efforts to manage pests and weeds.
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Demonstrator Hub Updates
August 28, 2024
Boghall Demonstrator Hub Update – July 2024
At the Edinburgh Demonstrator Hub site, the biomass crops are progressing well overall, with many species like SRF Alder, Eucalyptus, and SRC Willow showing healthy growth and good canopy development. However, some issues such as rust on SRF Alder and SRC Willow, as well as weed pressures in Miscanthus and Sida plots, indicate a need for continued management efforts.
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