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Why Drax Is Investing In Biomass Technology
Why Drax is investing in biomass technology 17 July 2013 Last updated at 13:14 BST The government is turning away from its controversial policy of subsidising UK power stations to generate electricity from burning wood. It is proposing that subsidies for bespoke biomass burning plants should be capped at 400 MW per plant. The UK’s biggest power station, Drax in Yorkshire, has been converting half its boilers from coal to wood. Most of the wood it burns is imported, particularly from the US. Recently Dorothy Thompson, the CEO of Drax, told BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line programme that “biomass really does deliver carbon savings”, and that a shift towards renewable energy is “a sound investment strategy”. She was in conversation with the BBC’s Evan Davis, investor Jim Rogers, and CEO of Ericsson Hans Vestberg. First broadcast on Thursday, 11 July, 2013 Continue reading
New Report Claims UK Able To Achieve Zero Carbon With Renewable Energy
23 July 2013 The Center for Alternative Technology has released an update to its Zero Carbon Britain scenario, which shows that the UK can reduce carbon emissions with existing technology. The research shows that by making changes to our buildings, transport systems and behaviour, and by investing in a variety of renewable energy generation technologies suited to the UK (without a nuclear component), the UK can provide a reliable zero carbon energy supply without negatively impacting on quality of life. Smart demand management, plus the intelligent use of surplus electricity in combination with biomass to create carbon neutral synthetic gas and liquid fuels, means that that the UK can meet its entire energy demand without imports, and also provide for some transport and industrial processes that cannot run on electricity. In the scenario the biomass we require is provided by growing second generation energy crops on UK land. The UK’s cropland is still used for food production, and we produce the vast majority of the food required to provide for the UK population on home soil. The research suggests that by changing what we eat (mainly a significant reduction in meat and dairy products, coupled with increases in various other food sources) means we eat a more healthy and balanced diet than we do today while our agricultural system emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less land both at home and abroad, thus decreasing the environmental impact of our food production globally. The scenario balances out some greenhouse gas emissions that cannot currently be eliminated from non-energy processes (industry, waste and agriculture) by using safe, sustainable and reliable methods of capturing carbon. The research showed that by restoring important habitats such as peatland, and by substantially expanding forested areas, we not only capture carbon but also provide wood products for buildings and infrastructure, rich environments for biodiversity and more natural spaces for all of us to enjoy. The research also highlights the need for further research on adaptation, economic transition and policy that would achieve sufficient greenhouse gas emissions reductions quickly and equitably. Continue reading
E2 Report: Biofuel Industry Will Produce up to 2.6bn Gallons by 2015
September 10, 2012 E2 Report: Biofuel Industry Will Produce up to 2.6bn Gallons by 2015 click to enlarge Biofuel production capacity has increased from 437 million gallons in 2011 to more than 685 million gallons in 2012, according to a new report from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). By 2015, the industry has the potential to produce 1.6 billion to 2.6 billion gallons of renewable fuel, the report forecasts. According to E2, standards like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) create an incentive for investors and biofuel companies to continue to innovate and increase biofuel production, which in turn will drive down costs and carbon emissions. The EPA’s RFS2 requires US fuel companies to ensure that about 9 percent of their gasoline is made up of ethanol this year. The California LCFS, part of the state’s AB 32 climate change legislation, requires a reduction of 10 percent in the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuels by 2020. It provides an incentive to produce advanced biofuels, which come from non-food based sources. E2 reports that California uses about 18 billion gallons of transportation fuel each year, and transportation fuels produce about 40 percent of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. At least 27 new or retrofitted biofuel refineries are expected to come online by 2015 to meet potential demand from the LCFS and the RFS2, according to the E2 report. Three of these will be located in California, with an additional two demonstration facilities in the state. California is already home to eight advanced biodiesel facilities. Nationally, between 18,407 and 47,700 new jobs could be created by the growth in the biofuels industry if the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, along with standards in California and other states, are implemented as planned, the report says. Advanced biofuel production costs will continue to decrease as well, the organization says. According to the report, at capacity companies will produce at $0.60 to $3.50 per gallon, depending on the feedstock and technology. E2 says it’s difficult to compare advanced biofuel production costs directly to petroleum production costs, but says it expects this price range to be competitive. In August, eight biofuels groups formed the Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council , in reaction to calls to limit the RFS2 because of this year’s drought . The coalition aims to defend the renewable fuel standard. Continue reading
