These technical articles, factsheets and case studies provide robust, independent information on biomass feedstock performance, agronomy, economics and environmental benefits, to facilitate discussion and learning regarding the biomass sector.
Field Report: Comparing bird communities in willow and Miscanthus crop fields
This report outlines a three-day bird survey conducted at two farms, one in Devon and the other in Somerset. One farm had a mixed age willow crop, while the other had a miscanthus crop. The aim of the surveys was to record and map the birds seen at each farm to see what benefits each crop may have for different species.
Type: Report
Date: 25th January 2024
Crop: Willow, Miscanthus
Keywords: Willow, Miscanthus, Biodiversity, Birds
Case Study: SRC Willow – self supply and use in a farm-scale community heating scheme
This case study features a successful farm-scale community heating scheme using short rotation coppice (SRC) willow as a fuel source. The project has been cost-effective and provided a range of benefits, including energy self-sufficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and potential biodiversity enhancements.
Type: Case Study
Date: 4th December 2023
Crop: Willow
Keywords: Willow, Case Study, Farm
Why integrate Biomass Crops into Agroforestry Systems?
When incorporated into agroforestry systems, biomass crops contribute in various ways, including, support for pollinator populations, biodiversity enhancement, flood risk reduction, minimized runoff and soil erosion, improved water quality, increased soil carbon sequestration, improved soil health and contribute to climate change mitigation
Type: Technical Article
Date: 23rd November 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Agroforestry
Case Study: Producing Animal Bedding from Miscanthus
Burlerrow Farm is a 303-hectare mixed farm based in Bodmin, Cornwall. It is run by James Mutton who has been growing miscanthus since 2002. Initially, the crop was used to produce miscanthus rhizomes, but since 2009 they have been producing premium equine and animal bedding.
Type: Case Study
Date: 29th September 2023
Crop: Miscanthus
Keywords: Miscanthus, Case Study, Farm
Biomass feedstock for fuelling gasification technologies
Biomass gasification technologies are projected to play an important role in meeting UK’s net zero emission targets especially when targeted towards use in sectors (heat, industrial, and transport) where options for decarbonisation is difficult or expensive.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 11th May 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Gasification
Factsheet – Biomass feedstock for fuelling gasification technologies
Advanced gasification technologies are projected to play an important role in meeting UK’s net zero emission targets especially when targeted towards use in sectors (heat, industrial, and transport) where options for decarbonisation is difficult or expensive.
Type: Factsheet
Date: 10th May 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Biofuel, Gasification
Environmental and biodiversity impacts of Miscanthus plantations
Bioenergy crops are set to increase in the UK and the wider landscape. To develop a sustainable biomass market the impacts of biomass crops on environment and biodiversity must be considered. Any agricultural production is primarily based on human demand and there will always be a trade-off between nature and humans or one benefit and another. Miscanthus is a promising energy crop can provide a range of benefits while minimising environmental harm.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 3rd May 2023
Crop: Miscanthus
Keywords: Miscanthus, biodiversity
Does production of biofuel mean less food production?
Food and bioenergy need not compete for land, instead, biofuel crops should be integrated into existing landscape and agricultural lands in a multifunctional approach to offer multiple benefits including use as fuel and for other ecosystem services.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 25th April 2023
Crop:
Keywords:
Hemp as a Biomass Crop
Hemp has great potential to become a promising commodity crop for producing both biofuels and value-added products. It is an excellent rotation crop that fits well with food and feed crops and improves the yield of the subsequent crops due to the beneficial effects of hemp on the soil.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 6th April 2023
Crop: Hemp
Keywords:
Eucalyptus as a short-rotation forestry crop for the UK
A number of Eucalyptus species have been identified as having great potential as a short rotation forestry (SRF) or coppice (SRC) species in the UK. Eucalyptus is suited to short rotation forestry due to its fast growth rate and high biomass yield, which can exceed that of other native species.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 29th March 2023
Crop: Eucalyptus
Keywords: Eucalyptus
Biomass Buffers
Wider adoption of Biomass Buffers could help better manage landscapes to be more resilient to the effects of climate change, mitigate flood risk, and reduce the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture.
Type: Factsheet
Date: 21st March 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Buffer, Zones, Strips, Biomass, Riparian
Biomass Buffer Strips – using biomass crops in multipurpose land management
A buffer strip is an area of land which is either left uncultivated or planted with perennial grasses, shrubs and trees. Planting strips or alleys of perennial biomass crops on existing agricultural land can provide a number of important benefits in terms of flood management, soil recovery and improvements in biodiversity, in addition to providing a harvestable resource. Wider adoption could help better manage landscapes to be more resilient to the effects of climate change, mitigate flood risk, and reduce the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 20th March 2023
Crop:
Keywords: buffer Strips, Land management, flood mitigation, soil erosion, groundwater, biomass
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
BECCS could provide an important mechanism to reduce emissions and remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. However, full life-cycle assessment of biomass production and supply will be critical to ensure BECCS is truly net-negative and does not result in other deleterious effects on our natural environment or food production systems
Type: Technical Article
Date: 1st March 2023
Crop:
Keywords: BECCS, Bioenergy, Carbon Capture
What effect does planting biomass crops have on soil carbon?
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) is formed from the interaction of ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and decomposition of SOM. Soil carbon provides the benefit of enhancing soil quality which is essential to sustain and improve food production, increase supply and quality of water, enhance biodiversity, and reduce atmospheric CO2. For these reasons, planting biomass crops help to improve soil quality, provide resilience to physical soil degradation and help mitigate climate change.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 31st January 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Biomass Crops, Soil, Carbon
Data Summary – Solid Biomass consumption trends in the UK energy sector 2016-2021
The utilisation of solid biomass as a fuel in generation of heat and power has seen a significant increase over the last ten years as many coal-fired power stations converted to using biomass. This article provides a summary of the data reported by BEIS and OFGEM specific to solid biomass use in the UK heat and power sector over the last 5-10 year period.
Type: Technical Article
Date: 24th Jan 2023
Crop:
Keywords: Bioenergy, Solid Biomass
Small-scale forestry for bioenergy consumption – Part III: Biomass production and incentives
In this article we will explore the further potential for trees and hedgerows in bioenergy production. Parts 1 and 2 covered potential tree species and management techniques, whereas here, part 3 will discuss forestry in terms of biomass.
Type: Technical Article
Date:
Crop: Woodland Tree Species
Keywords: