If you are are using biomass fuels in a system receiving funds through, for example the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) or Renewable Obligations (RO) then you will need to demonstrate that your fuel is coming from a sustainable source. We can help producers, traders and users of fuel achieve compliance in a number of ways: […]
The Rokwood project is aiming to help improve the market conditions for the increased uptake of woody energy crops (such as willow, poplar) grown in short rotation plantations (SRPs). The first 6 months of the project has been all about understanding what has gone before with each of the six clusters engaged in a lengthy […]
The Government has just launched the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) which aims to support rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects which provide economic and social benefits to the community. The scheme is managed by WRAP and offers support in two stages. Stage 1 will provide a grant of up to approximately […]
A new policy statement produced by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers is calling for the Government to invest in the development of biomass with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. CCS is a process where the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced when a power plant burns fossil fuels like coal are prevented from entering the […]
This film shows some field trials planted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp. The contrast between the plots treated with herbicide and those that are not is striking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iquuuO8K3Cs&feature=youtu.be The results suggest that the biomass yield is 95% lower in untreated plots. As establishment costs are relatively high £2,000-£3,000 per hectare there […]
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. This will focus on how to improve the market conditions for the increased uptake of woody energy crops grown in short […]
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. Payments under the scheme cover 50% of the costs of establishing miscanthus or short […]
A recent scientific article suggests that growing fast growing woody energy crops such as willow, poplar and eucalyptus could lead to increased human mortality and reduce crop yields. See: Impacts of biofuel cultivation on mortality and crop yields Apparently, large areas of fast growing tree crops could produce substantial emissions of isoprene which reacts in […]
Crops for Energy is delighted to be involved with a consortium looking at innovative ways to deal with biomass produced from wetlands management. The project is supported by the the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC’s ) £2 million wetlands biomass to bioenergy competition and aims is to provide an end to end process […]
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. This support package involves a FREE visit […]