Sustainability

Welcome to Crops for Energy

Crops for Energy is one of the UK's leading independent authorities on energy crops and their use in biomass energy schemes.

We can offer help and advice on all aspects of growing, supplying and using energy crops in biomass energy schemes. The main remit for Crops for Energy is to see renewable energy flourish in the UK and to ensure that energy crops and biomass plays a significant role in this. We have performed individual projects for a client base ranging from individual householders to businesses, to local authorities and nature conservation bodies.

We also deal with the bigger picture by lobbying for additional support for the energy crops sector through liaison with national bodies (such as Natural England and the National Farmers’ Union) and policy makers in Government departments (e.g. DECC and DEFRA). We were commissioned by LANTRA Awards to produce a two day accredited course on energy crops.

Crops for Energy also offer a range of consultancy and training services on other renewable energy technologies including:

  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Biomass boilers and woodfuel supply
  • Combined heat and power
  • Micro renewables

In addition we can provide expertise on rapid green solutions through the application of willows as biofilters and in reclaiming derelict land such as spoil tips and ex landfill sites.

Independent Advice

Crops for Energy are completely independent and therefore any advice provided will be completely impartial and tailor made to each of our clients needs.

For further information or a discussion to assess your needs please use the contact form provided or call us on 0844 249 2901. 

 

Rokwood : Major EU project looks to accelerate woody energy crops industry

 
Crops for Energy is one of 20 partners from six countries involved in a major European Union project called ROKWOOD: European regions fostering innovation for sustainable production and efficient use of woody biomass.

 

Energy Crops Scheme – Time is running out

The Energy Crops Scheme administered by Natural England will close to applications on the 31st August 2013. As long as an application is approved before the end of December 2013 planting can take place in the spring of 2014 or 2015.


Hassle free RHI accreditations

So you’ve got the biomass boiler installed and you’re starting to enjoy guilt free/low cost renewable heat. All that’s left to do is to get the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accreditation from Ofgem and wait for the cheques to start rolling in.

 

However, on downloading or printing out the 225 pages of RHI guidance documents from the Ofgem website you might suddenly get a sinking feeling.  Unfortunately, the RHI accreditation process is quite technically demanding (especially for biomass rookies) and very time consuming. 

 

SW Farmers – don’t miss out on free renewable energy consultancy!

Farmers in the south west of England are eligible for free and discounted consultancy through the Resource Efficiency for Farms (R4F) scheme delivered by Rural Focus. This is an amazing opportunity and we at Crops for Energy are constantly amazed by how few farmers know about the service.

 

Food vs Fuel - Do us a favour

By working in the energy crops sector we are all the time coming up against the food versus fuel argument. People will say – “Shouldn’t we be growing food rather than planting crops to burn?” My argument is that we need to get the best possible return from our meagre land resources. We should be striving for agricultural practices that integrate food and fuel rather than a system that excludes one or the other.

 

Renewable Heat Incentive: C4E's Consultation Response

 

This is our response to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) consultation on the anticipated Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive and Phase 2 of the non-domestic RHI. All our points involve possible implications of the consultation on biomass heating systems and in particular focus on the self supply of energy crops (e.g. willow and miscanthus) or from undermanaged woodlands.

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