Innovation in Bioenergy Development From Research to Policy & into Practice

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1 Innovation in Bioenergy Development From Research to Policy & into Practice Dr John Gilliland OBE Chairman, Rural Climate Change Forum, DEFRA, London Chairman, Rural Generation Ltd Yangling International Agri Science Forum November 2008

2 An Analysis of current Policy & Market Place outcomes - Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases & adaptation to Climate Change - Carbon Labelling of Food - Displacement of Fossil Fuels & Energy Security - Improving Water Quality - Increasing Biodiversity - Sustainable & Compliant Waste Management - Generating Wealth in Rural Areas - Reconnecting Rural & Urban Communities

3 New Policy - The UK Climate Change Bill The first of its kind in the World & an All Party Bill! Mandatory targets to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050, against a 1990 baseline. Expected Royal Ascent this month, with first report by 1 st of December to Government To include all GHGs (methane & nitrous oxide) & all sectors of the Economy Allows for new Emission Trading Schemes through the use of secondary legislation

4 Rural Climate Change Forum Established in 2005 High level Forum for dialogue with Dept. of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Advises on Research, Policy and Communications Membership - Leaders from the breath of Rural stakeholder organisations Helps steer the delivery of commitments in UK Climate Change Programme & liaise with new Committee on Climate Change.

5 The Message Knowledge Gaps!! Research Priorities (IGER Report) Timing of mineral N applications key! Better use of Organic manures Nitrification inhibitors? Soil Carbon storage & emissions - No or Min Till & Organic soils!! Manipulation of animal diets Improve the National GHG inventory

6 The Climate Change Message UK Agriculture is a Net Emitter of GHGs 7% of UK GHG emissions (24% of N. Ireland s) 1% of UK carbon dioxide emissions 37% of UK methane emissions 67% of UK nitrous oxide emissions NB Methane is 20 times more potent than CO2 - Nitrous Oxide is 310 times more potent

7 The Climate Change Message to Farmers Both are unseperable & can t be ignored! Risks (Diseases, Pests, Droughts & Floods) Responsibilities (Emission Reduction) Rewards (Cost savings, longer growing seasons & helping other Sectors)

8 Informed Decisions must be made!!! Carbon Trust

9 Market Place Developments! 2007 Walkers Crisps became first UK Food Company to print a Carbon Label A 35 gram bag contains 75 grams of CO2 Currently all major UK Retailers exploring this!! NB Without the standardisation of assumptions, agreement on sound science and proper communication with consumers, market chaos will occur!!!!

10 Measuring the Carbon Footprint of Walkers Crisps Agriculture Processing - cooking Packaging supply chain Transport Packaging disposal Product Life Cycle analysis will become the norm!

11 A Case Study - Farming at Brook Hall Estate & the setting up of Rural Generation Ltd Zero Hectares Cereals Hectares Cereals Zero Hectares Cereals Hectares alternative land uses

12 Why Change? Low Profitability Price taker, not maker! 98% of Energy in Northern Ireland imported, while 80% of food is exported Only 6% of N. Ireland land in forestry Opportunity to develop, commercialise & export innovative land uses & environmental solutions To sustain the family Estate for 6 th generation Lead by example

13 The Vision of a possible Innovation! A HOLISTIC CYCLE Sustainable Waste Disposal Organic Fertiliser Tertiary Water Treatment Public/Private, Energy Consumers Willow Crop Renewable Energy Boiler or CHP Non Fossil Fuel

14 The Innovation Short Rotation Willow trees, trialled in NI since 1977 The Willow Crop July, Year 1, After Cut Back Why Willows:- The Willow Crop, July, Year 3, Year of Harvesting -Indigenous, found in most parts of the World -Quick Growing, 3 year harvest, then re grows -High Yielding, up to 15 dry tonnes/ha/yr -Affinity for Water, aids biofiltration possibilities -Woody species, proven conversion technology to energy

15 Why Willow as a Bioenergy Solution? The Differences in Bioenergy GHG Displacement SAC

16 Why Willow as a Bioenergy Solution? The Differences in Bioenergy Fossil Fuel Displacement SAC

17 Multifunctional Possibilities? Biofiltration Trials at the City of Derry Sewage Treatment Works, since 1996 City of Derry Sewage Treatment Works Pumped to willows Irrigation System NI. Potential 336 Rural sewage plants & Private Sector The Driver - Compliance with EU Water Frameworks Directive!

18 Commercialisation of Biofiltration Research! Essential that Technology is based on sound science Credible Research Partners:- - Dept. of Agric. For N. Ireland - Agrifood & Bioscience Institute, NI - Swedish University of Agriculture Science - UK Water Research Council Credible Research Projects:- - EU 5 th Framework, Fair 5 (CT ), 5 Countries - EU 6 th Framework, BIOPROS, 9 Countries - EU Life, Water RENEW Project, UK

19 Commercialisation Bioremediation of Sludge Cake to willow as a non food crop To date, 30,000t of Municipal & Dairy Sludges injected

20 Green House Gas Savings From the incorporation of Biosolids (sludge) into soils kg/ha/yr CO2-C Zero tillage Reduced tillage FYM Biosolids Compost Paper Crumble SOC change Energy change N 2 O change ADAS

21 The Provision of Sustainable Biomass Solutions Willows, an alternative, renewable source of Biomass Harvest, chip drying & storage Quality of fuel Essential for Consumer Confidence!

22 The Conversion Technology Air Conditioning &/or Heat KWB Automatic Boiler KWB Automatic Feeder KWB Combustion Chamber, up to 92% thermal efficient

23 The Conversion Technology The Hybrid - Biomass & Solar to Air Conditioning &/or Heat The Energy Cabin Multifuel option - Wood Chip, Pellets & Grain

24 The Conversion Technology Renewable Combined Heat & Power Production Catalyst Renewables LLC 19 MW wood fired CHP Plant Lyonsdale Biomass Lewis County, NY State

25 The Economics of Willow Growing Improved! Average Net Income/Hectare/Yr over 8 years Sale Price of Woodchip No Planting Grant Planting Grant No Planting grant, annual applications of Sludge Planting grant, annual applications of Sludge 40 odt odt Essential Energy crops must be allowed to be multifunctional!

26 The Result The HOLISTIC CYCLE achieved! Sustainable Waste Disposal Organic Fertiliser Tertiary Water Treatment Public/Private, Energy Consumers Willow Crop Renewable Energy Boiler or CHP Non Fossil Fuel

27 The Rural Generation Ltd Holistic Cycle The result 8 public goods achieved!! - Generates Wealth within the Rural Community - Reconnects Rural Communities - Provides true Sustainable Waste Management technologies - Displaces fossil fuels - No artificial N fertiliser used - No oil used in energy consumption - Increases Energy Security - Locks up Carbon within the soil - Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Increases Bio diversity ie. The land has become truely Multi Functional & Cyclic!