On 21 November 2008, it was reported that a “clean coal” scheme had been proposed next to Hunterston Nuclear Power Station, combining the use of carbon capture and storage technology and biomass fuels. This month we consider the factors to support the use of biomass fuel and consider why its development has not been more widespread.

The production of energy from biomass material involves burning organic material such as plant material or waste products to produce energy. Unlike the burning of fossil fuels, the process is viewed as carbon neutral as it releases carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant material when it was growing (as opposed to “new” carbon dioxide). However, it is generally accepted that the amount of energy produced is less, meaning that more material needs to be grown and burnt to produce the same amount of energy.

The increased use of biomass material as an alternative energy source has been assisted by funding from the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme, which provided grants to a number of biomass projects (a complete list is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/19185/BioSupport/SBSSWinners). The Scheme has now ended. However, it has been suggested that the Scottish Government may make more funding available in the future as part of its Renewable Energy Strategy.

The proposals for Hunterston Biomass Power Station suggest that up to 15% of its fuel could be from biomass material rather than coal. Although these proposals are yet to face formal scrutiny, in the context of future energy developments the rationale for using biomass power becomes even more persuasive.

In 2013, Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (“ETS”) is likely to take effect, which will mean that all carbon emission permits will have to be purchased, resulting in a large increase in the cost of burning coal and other fossil fuels to produce energy. The Energy Bill currently in the House of Lords contains proposals for generators using biomass materials to receive 1.5 Renewable Obligation Certificates for every megawatt hour of electricity produced from non-food crop sources.

There are still practical barriers to the use of biomass material to produce power on a large scale. The success of the process is reliant on the development of the energy crop market and some stations in the UK have had to import material for burning because of shortages. This has led to concerns about the source of the fuel and the extent to which the biomass process can be said to produce “carbon neutral” energy.

05 December 2008

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