RE: Environmental limits to UK biofuels crops (UKERC study - limited Energy crops 'can be grown sustainably' in the UK )
Chris Hodrien
Chris,
Sorry about the jargon. LUC is Land Use Change. Land with existing vegetation has an inventory of organic carbon and nitrogen built up over many years. When the land is then cleared, not only by burning, to be used for other purposes carbon (GHG) can be released into the atmosphere in a very short time. The benefits of the use of the biofuel crops grown subsequently can take many years overcome this deficit. This kind of factor is rarely used in publications especially those promoting the use of energy crops. Agricultural waste as an energy “crop” is the best way to go because the LUC GHG have already been emitted.
According to the last IPCC report on global GHG emissions (2007) the GHG emissions from LUC and Forestry represented 18% of global emissions and agriculture a further 14%. These are important areas.
Bob
From: Chris Hodrien
[mailto:chod...@blueyonder.co.uk]
Sent: 11 May 2011 17:58
To: Bob Ensell
Subject: Re: UKERC study - Energy crops
'can be grown sustainably' in the UK up to just 4% of the UK's current
total energy demand
Bob, please share study if you get it.
'LUC' = ?
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Ensell
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 11:49 AM
Subject: RE: UKERC study - Energy crops 'can be grown sustainably' in the UK up to just 4% of the UK's current total energy demand
Chris,
So far I have been unable to get a copy of the report but it is not clear from the summary whether LUC has been taken into account and what is the expected payback period of GHG emissions.
Bob
From: Chris Hodrien [mailto:chod...@blueyonder.co.uk]
Sent: 07 May 2011 17:55
To: Crawford Dow (Biology, Warwick)
Cc: Adrienne Davies (Warwick); Bob Ensell
Subject: Fw: UKERC study - Energy crops 'can be grown sustainably' in the UK up to just 4% of the UK's current total energy demand
Energy crops 'can be grown sustainably' in the UK
April 2011
Story taken from lowcarboneconomy.com
New research suggests planting energy crops on unused agricultural land could allow England to reach renewable power targets with little effect on the food industry.
Published in Biofuels, the study by the UK Energy Research Centre looks at the cultivation of short-rotation coppice energy crops, such as willow and poplar, within current planning constraints.
It found if unused agricultural land is used efficiently, biomass capable of meeting four percent of the UK's energy demand could be produced, without disruption to the environment and food production.
Over 39 percent of land in England is unsuitable for energy crops, either due to environmental or legislative restrictions.
However, some poor-grade land in the south-west and north-west was said to be ideal for short-rotation crops. These two areas alone were said to have the potential to generate one-third of the four percent target.
Gail Taylor, professor of plant biology from the University of Southampton, said the study shows biomass plants can "be grown sustainably" in some areas of the country. Work is now being done to determine how climate could affect this supply.
By 2020, the government believes that biomass heat and power could potentially provide 30 percent of the UK's 15 percent renewable energy target.