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The development of viable and cost-effective energy crop fuel supply chains is essential to the long-term future development of bioenergy in the UK. A barrier to bioenergy deployment is the high level of capital and operating costs, which makes it difficult for bioenergy to compete in the Renewables Obligation without additional support. In the short term, the most promising way forward may be to develop clusters of smaller-scale energy-generation plants based on energy crops.
Proposals should address these immediate R&D challenges and the underlying issues in developing cost-effective technology. In particular:
Projects to reduce the delivered cost and improve the reliable supply of energy crops, forestry residues, and other biomass materials (including wastes) for energy production. Typically, this would be achieved by developing, and subsequently evaluating, innovative equipment and techniques within the fuel production, harvesting and supply chain.
Strategies for cost-effective deployment of multiple, small electricity-generating stations (typically less than 20 megawatts fuel input); R&D into commercial deployment of advanced biomass conversion devices.
Research that will improve understanding of the behaviour of energy crops in combustion systems (including co-firing).
Optimisation studies that model the deployment of clusters of related bioenergy installations, with respect to their size, technology, costs, environmental and social impacts, and other factors.
Proposals examining next-generation transport biofuels, including the use of ligo-cellulosic feedstocks. This will not include the translation of existing biofuel production processes to the UK.
Project proposals should focus on ways to connect and operate renewable energy technologies (and combined heat and power) on the current network while keeping parameters within statutory limits.
The highest priority areas are:
The lower priority areas on a longer timescale are:
Photovoltaics (PV) projects are likely to focus on identifying, developing and evaluating novel materials and/or cell structures that offer significant improvements in performance, reliability and generation costs. Research into possible ‘third generation’ PV is encouraged. Incremental technology developments that offer significant cost reduction will also be considered. Proposals should demonstrate technical advantages over competing approaches and good prospects for sustainable business in the UK. Applicants should offer credible teams with relevant scientific and industrial skills, financial resources, and who can demonstrate a commitment to longer-term development.
Proposals should be led and driven by industry but can involve collaboration with academia. Proposals may also include international collaborations where these deliver a clear net benefit to the UK. However, BERR will not contribute to the costs of non-UK participants.
Funding is available for projects that will further develop, evaluate and test wave and tidal stream device concepts and components. Proposals should include a clear description of the concept, the rationale for its configuration and energy capture, and the basis for the further work proposed. Proposals will be assessed on the basis of the long-term economic prospects, and should include a relevant evaluation with assumptions and data clearly identified.
Funding is available for innovative technologies and approaches which offer significant reductions in capital and operating costs of offshore wind farms. Technologies that will reduce the radar cross-section of wind turbines through new materials and designs are prioritised. Ideally, such proposals should include turbine and component manufacturers.
