A new device designed to investigate the impact of North America-sourced biomass on carbon emissions has been launched by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The Bioenergy Emissions and Counterfactual Mode will allow energy developers to identify which biomass can produce electricity in a low carbon and sustainable way.
This is the first model published by the UK Government to take account of changes in the amount of carbon stored in forests over the lifetime of a biomass project.
“The calculator looks at the changes in the amount of carbon stored in forests in North America when assessing the benefits and impacts of various bioenergy scenarios,” said David MacKay, chief scientific advisor at DECC.
“It gives new information about which biomass resources are likely to have higher or lower carbon intensities, and so provides insight into a complex topic.”
The new tool follows new biomass sustainability criteria set up by DECC in August last year.
The rules set out that generators who are unable to comply with the sustainability criteria will lose government funding from next year.
“In the short term, biomass can help us decarbonise our electricity supplies, and we are committed to supporting cost-effective, sustainably produced biomass,” said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey.
“This calculator shows that, done well, biomass can offer real carbon savings – which is why we are tightening our rules for sustainable biomass. Any producer who doesn’t meet those standards will lose financial support from next year.”
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