Bioenergy is the energy derived from harvesting biomass such as crops, trees or agricultural waste and using it to generate heat, electricity or transport fuels. Biomass can be burned directly to generate heat and/or power either on its own or ‘co-fired’ alongside conventional fuels such as coal. Alternatively, biomass can be treated to create gaseous or liquid ‘biofuels’ which can be used on their own or in conjunction with conventional fuels such as coal or natural gas.
We are currently supporting research in this area with a portfolio of £14.4 million. This covers 76 projects and involves collaborations with 27 separate industrial partners, attracting a further £1.2 million.
Within our portfolio we are allocating £6.4 million towards a SUPERGEN Bioenergy Consortium. We are also supporting a number of other major centres such as The TSEC-BIOSYS Consortium which focuses on the technical, economic, environmental and social issues related to the development of bioenergy in the UK.
Other centres include The Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) Programme to study the social, economic and environmental implications of increased land use for energy crops and the Sustainable Bioenergy Centre to increase collaboration between world class research groups in this area.
As part of the RCUK Energy Programme, BBSRC have released a bioenergy position statement. The statement highlights current activities and future challenges within bioenergy research.
Continuing support in this area will aim to ensure that bioenergy has a role to play alongside fossil fuels. Research will continue to address important sustainability issues including crop yields, water dependence and the availability of land for energy and food crops. The generation of energy in this way could help to reduce the UK's dependence on fossil fuels, and could be especially attractive to developing countries.
Related links