The role of biomass energy in reducing carbon in the UK.

The UK has set the target to be net zero by 2050 as part of global efforts to help dramatically reduce the impact on climate change and the environment. We can achieve this through a combination of two key strategies:

• Switching to clean energy that produces little to no harmful emissions.

• Carbon capture that actively removes any remaining emissions from the atmosphere.

To help us reach the vital 2050 goal, we must work together - with simple switches at home, climate commitments across industries, and green policies in government. It’s a tall order but it is possible. 

Embracing and investing in new low carbon technologies plays a huge role in making net zero a reality. They are the toolbox that can help us start to mend our planet. Biomass is one of the oldest tools in our kit. Humans have been burning wood to generate heat since way back in prehistoric times. And it’s still relied upon today - although the technology has got a little more advanced.

So let’s check out why biomass plays an important part in reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.

A quick introduction to biomass energy.

Biomass energy (also known as bioenergy) is a form of renewable energy. It’s generated from organic matter called a feedstock. This is typically done through a process of combustion, anaerobic digestion, or gasification. 

Bioenergy has the potential to help in the success of the UK biomass strategy to achieve net zero by providing a low carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Learn more about how biomass is used to generate power.

Types of biomass feedstocks:

• Agricultural residues. E.g straw stubble, seed pods, and unused stalks.

• Forestry by-products. E.g bark, wood pellets, sawdust, and tree tops.

• Dedicated energy crops. E.g fast-growing grasses, wheat, sugar beet, and certain trees (known as short rotation coppice).

• Organic waste. E.g food waste, sewage, and manure.

How is biomass renewable energy?

Biomass uses organic matter as fuel in the form of plants and waste. 

Plants can be regrown easily and quickly, relative to the thousands of years it takes to form fossil fuels like oil and gas. This means that as long as we replant what we use, it won’t run out. 

Organic waste is the by-product of natural processes like eating, and therefore will also never run out. Better yet, it actually finds a use for these waste products that would otherwise simply be disposed of or even end up polluting the environment themselves.

How biomass energy reduces carbon footprints?

Biomass energy can significantly reduce carbon footprints compared to fossil fuels as it can have near zero total lifetime emissions¹. However, there is a lot of misunderstanding around how it’s possible for biomass to be a clean energy source, when biomass energy generation releases carbon emissions just like fossil fuels. 

The answer? The carbon cycle. By adopting sustainable practices, we can harness biomass energy within the natural carbon cycle to reduce our impact on the environment.

The carbon cycle and biomass energy.

The carbon cycle, much like the water cycle, is a process that occurs naturally over time. 

Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. They store this carbon for as long as they live - using it to grow and produce seeds. When they die they decompose and this stored carbon is released again as greenhouse gases. However, the seeds they spread will grow into new plants, starting the process anew. This is the carbon cycle.

Most biomass feedstock is formed from plant matter. This plant matter spends its life absorbing CO2 and storing it as part of the carbon cycle. When the biomass feedstock is burned (or used in other energy generating processes), it releases the stored carbon back into the atmosphere - just the same as it would through natural decomposition. 

So, as long as new plants continue to be grown to replace those used as feedstock, bioenergy is no different than the natural carbon cycle. And in theory that makes it pretty much carbon neutral.

However, it’s not quite that simple in practice. There are other factors that can contribute to the total emissions of generating bioenergy.

To ensure biomass is truly low-carbon, it's crucial to consider the entire lifecycle. This includes emissions from growing, harvesting, transporting, and processing the biomass. Sustainable practices, such as using waste materials and efficient supply chains, are vital to making biomass a clean energy option.

The carbon footprint of biomass.

Here’s a quick overview of the main factors that affect the carbon footprint of biomass energy.

• Type of biomass. Some feedstocks have lower carbon footprints than others depending on how much carbon they can store and how fast they grow.

• Source location. Using local biomass feedstock greatly reduces transportation emissions and can help with local waste management. 

• Production methods. Efficient processes during energy generation minimise additional energy use and emissions.

Fossil fuels vs biomass.

Fossil fuels are part of a carbon cycle as well - but one that takes millions of years. They’re also formed from decomposing organic matter, which is then gradually buried deep underground. 

The great thing about fossil fuels is that for as long as they remain underground the carbon they are storing stays trapped as well. 

However, when we burn fossil fuels for energy, we release harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) that doesn't need to be released at all. This adds new carbon to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. 

Biomass, on the other hand, recycles carbon that is already part of the natural carbon cycle. This is why burning fossil fuels is much more harmful to the environment than bioenergy.

Comparing biomass energy with other renewable sources in the UK.

There are already a range of different renewable energy sources in use around the world, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here's how biomass stacks up against some of the most popular renewable energy techs.

Biomass energy. 

• Generates electricity and heat on demand all year round making it a reliable energy source. 

• Can be a cost-competitive option, especially when using waste materials or locally sourced feedstocks. 

• Able to meet a wide range of energy demands, from small-scale heating to large-scale electricity generation. 

• Lifetime emissions must be managed carefully to ensure it’s a sustainable energy source.

• The feedstock must often be actively replenished or replanted to be considered renewable.

Learn more about the benefits of biomass energy.

Wind power.  

• 100% renewable electricity, as the wind will never run out.

• Ideal for the UK as our weather means we have a lot of suitable wind. Plus, as an island we have a lot of coastline for offshore wind farms.

• No carbon emissions when generating electricity.

• Must consider the emissions produced constructing wind farms.

• Relies on wind speed, meaning power generation is inconsistent and hard to predict.

Learn more about the benefits of wind power.

Solar power. 

• 100% renewable electricity. Scientist’s reckon we’ve got the Sun for at least another 5 billion years.⁴

• No carbon emissions when generating electricity.

• Able to meet a wide range of energy demands, from personal roof installations to industrial solar farms.

• Must consider the emissions produced constructing and installing the solar panels.

• Relies on sunlight, meaning power generation cannot happen overnight and total.

Learn more about the benefits of solar power.

Hydroelectric power.

• 100% renewable electricity, using the natural flow of water.

• No carbon emissions when generating electricity.

• Generates electricity on demand all year round making it a reliable energy source.

• Must consider the emissions produced when constructing hydroelectric technology.

• Hydroelectric tech, like hydroelectric dams, can have a harmful impact on the local environment and ecosystem.

• Dependent on the availability of suitable water sources, which the UK is not ideal for. We are better suited to tidal power due to our large coastline.

• Not suitable for small scale energy generation.

Geothermal energy.

Relies on accessing heat from within the Earth, which can be location-specific and expensive.

• 100% renewable energy using the Earth’s natural heat.

• No carbon emissions when generating electricity.

• Generates electricity on demand all year round making it a reliable energy source.

• Able to meet a wide range of energy demands, from ground source heat pumps in homes and businesses to geothermal power plants.

• Must consider the emissions produced constructing and installing geothermal technology.

• Can be dependent on the availability of suitable locations with high geothermal activity. The UK only has limited sites that are suitable for large scale geothermal power plants.

• Often expensive to construct compared to other renewable technologies.

Learn more about the benefits of geothermal energy.

Currently, biomass makes up over 55% of renewable energy across the globe². But with UK weather being as unpredictable as ever, wind energy is now our number one renewable powerhouse³. Biomass’s reliable year round energy comes in a commendable second place.

How is biomass energy used in the UK?

Biomass energy has a lot of different uses in the UK, beyond generating renewable electricity.

Electricity generation.

Biomass power plants burn biomass feedstocks (or biogases produced by them) to create steam, which drives turbines and generates electricity. This provides a stable and reliable source of power, complementing intermittent renewables like wind and solar.

They work in a very similar way to a traditional gas power plant - and some biogases can even be used with existing gas infrastructure.

Heating and Combined Heat and Power (CHP).

Biomass boilers and CHP systems use biomass combustion to generate heat for homes, businesses, and district heating networks. CHP systems also capture and utilise the waste heat to generate electricity, maximising their efficiency.

Biofuels for transportation.

Biofuels are produced from biomass feedstocks. The most common process is through fermentation to produce ethanol. Biofuels can be combined with or completely replace fossil fuels like gasoline. This provides a lower carbon way to fuel transportation, from cars to planes, that works with existing internal combustion engines.

Unlike electric vehicles, biofuels don’t usually require investment in new vehicles or infrastructure. However, biofuels can cause damage to the vehicle over time, and tend not to be as energy dense as fossil fuels - meaning they need to be refuelled more often. EVs are not only more available, but a reliable choice for UK drivers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Learn more about switching to an EV.

Biogas production.

Organic waste, such as food waste, agricultural residues, and sewage, can be broken down by bacteria to produce biogas. This process is called anaerobic digestion.

The biogas produced is mainly methane. Natural gas (the gas used by power stations and your home energy supply) is also mostly made up of methane. Therefore biogas can be used in a lot of existing energy infrastructure for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.

Future prospects and innovations in biomass energy.

There has been a great deal of research into improving the efficiency and sustainability of bioenergy. From exploring new potential feedstocks like fast-growing algae, to investigating how bioenergy can be adapted to suit different locations around the world and reduce the need for transportation. 

One of the greatest discoveries for improving biomass as a clean energy source, is carbon capture and storage (CCS). 

CCS is when we collect greenhouse gases from industrial processes (such as energy generation) and store it deep underground. Adding CCS to biomass power plants is a fantastic way to reduce the carbon emissions of bioenergy even further. 

In fact it has the potential to actually be carbon negative! That means over its lifetime biomass could remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than it releases.

The role of biomass in achieving UK Net Zero 2050.

Biomass plays an important role in improving energy security in the UK renewable energy mix. With wind and solar generating power at unpredictable times and varying amounts, biomass is able to make up the gap when needed. It’s a vital part of ensuring the UK grid can meet demand reliably as we phase out fossil fuels. 

Better yet, as you’ve seen biomass can do much more than generate electricity. Biomass heating systems are a lower carbon alternative to fossil fuel boilers, helping to decarbonise our homes and businesses.

The icing on the cake really comes with the groundbreaking carbon capture and storage technology. As the UK invests in this exciting tech, biomass has the potential to not only be net zero, but to actually have negative emissions. A huge leap toward meeting our climate goals for net zero 2050.