Biomass: A Vital Component of the UK’s Green Energy Transition
The transition to green energy has never been more critical, especially in the UK, as the nation sets its sights on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Central to this ambition is the role of biomass, a renewable resource already making significant contributions to the country’s energy mix and offering a multitude of future opportunities.
Biomass in the UK’s Energy Landscape
Biomass accounted for 8.6% of the UK’s energy supply in 2022, with 11% of total electricity generation coming from bioenergy. As the UK works towards its net-zero target, biomass continues to play an integral role in decarbonising multiple sectors. Beyond electricity, biomass holds the potential to power transport, heating, and even non-energy industries. Whether through biofuels for transport or the use of biomass in industrial processes, it offers a flexible, low-carbon solution with the capacity to displace fossil fuels across the economy.
A Renewable Resource with Vast Potential
Biomass is derived from biological materials, including crops, residues, and waste products. Its versatility means it can be harnessed in various ways to meet the needs of the energy, materials, and chemical sectors. Biomass can provide low-carbon energy, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and contribute to negative emissions when coupled with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.
The UK has long been a global leader in biomass policy and technology. The country was one of the first to establish sustainability criteria for biomass use, ensuring that it remains a renewable and environmentally sound resource. This commitment has positioned the UK to take full advantage of biomass’s decarbonisation potential, both at home and as part of global efforts to tackle climate change.
Biomass in the Power Sector: A Critical Decarbonisation Tool
Biomass has already proven its ability to decarbonise the UK power sector, particularly through electricity generation. The integration of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technologies further enhances this role. BECCS captures and stores carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from biomass while generating low-carbon energy. Although large-scale BECCS deployment in the UK is still in development, the technology is already operational at demonstration and commercial scale in other parts of the world. When fully realised, BECCS could provide dispatchable or baseload power, complementing other renewables and ensuring a reliable, low-carbon energy supply.
Sustainability at the Core
When produced sustainably, biomass is a renewable and low-carbon energy source. It absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows and can displace fossil fuels for energy and material production. Unlike fossil fuels, which have been sequestered for millions of years, the carbon released from biomass was recently captured from the atmosphere, making it a sustainable option. Moreover, many biomass feedstocks are waste products – such as waste wood – or residues that would otherwise be discarded, making it an efficient and eco-friendly solution for both energy generation and resource management.
Domestic and Global Supply Chains
Currently, about 66% of the biomass used in the UK’s renewable energy generation comes from domestic sources, with the remainder imported. The biomass supply chain is diverse, encompassing purpose-grown crops, co-products, residual biomass from the agricultural and forestry sectors, and biogenic waste from commercial, industrial, and municipal sources. This diversity ensures a reliable, steady supply of biomass, while international trade helps supplement domestic production.
A Pathway to Net Zero
Biomass is already a cornerstone of the UK’s renewable energy landscape, and its role is only set to grow as the country works towards net-zero emissions. In addition to its contributions to decarbonising power, heat, and transport, biomass is an essential part of the green economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and providing valuable alternatives to fossil fuels.
As the policy landscape evolves to meet the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets, biomass will continue to be a crucial component of the energy transition. With ongoing advancements in technology, sustainability practices, and global partnerships, biomass is not just a tool for reducing emissions—it is a key enabler of a greener, more sustainable future for the UK and beyond.
Therma-Chem’s Innovative Contribution to the Biomass Industry
As the world increasingly turns to renewable energy, biomass is emerging as a key player in reducing carbon emissions. Therma-Chem plays a vital role in optimising the performance of biomass boilers with its innovative online chemical cleaning solutions ensuring these systems operate at maximum efficiency.
Biomass boilers generate heat by converting organic materials like waste wood and agricultural residues into energy. However, biomass fuels will inevitably result in fireside fouling in boilers which results in wasted energy, lower output, and increased fuel consumption, which undermines the economic and environmental benefits of biomass energy.
Therma-Chem’s online chemical cleaning solutions, such as FS12, addresses these challenges by enhancing boiler performance, extracting the maximum amount of energy from fuel, and ensuring optimal operation. This not only reduces energy waste but also lowers operating costs, maximises output, and improves the system’s contribution to carbon reduction efforts.
Ultimately, Therma-Chem is helping to make biomass energy a more sustainable and economically viable solution for a greener future.
