The government has opened funding for £26 million for innovative projects aimed at increasing the UK production of sustainable biomass.
The funding will support the development of innovative new solutions of which, hemp is listed as an option. It is hoped that it will allow researchers to develop sustainable biomass to power homes and businesses. It is one way in which the government is attempting to handle the current energy crisis and achieve carbon targets in the UK.
Projects chosen for the funding will help to drive biomass productive and sustainable alternatives in the UK through the breeding, planting, cultivating and harvesting of organic matter such as hemp, algae or whole trees. Projects originally selected during the first phase of funding will be able to apply for more to expand their projects further.
Each bid will be able to apply for up to £4 million or up to £5 million for those spread across multiple locations. Start-ups and family-run businesses will eligible to apply alongside research institutes and universities. Twenty-five projects have already been selected as part of phase one but under phase 2, they will be able to develop from the design stage to full demonstration projects.
Energy and climate change minister Greg Hands said: “Developing greener fuels like biomass is key to helping the UK slash carbon emissions and drive down costs for consumers. This £26 million government investment will support innovators across the UK, boosting jobs and investment, and help ensure we have the homegrown supply we need to support our plans to build back greener and tackle climate change.”
As a result of the energy crisis, the biomass market is set to rise dramatically. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predict that it could increase as much as 28 per cent by 2026 especially due to Covid-recovery.
Biomass development
Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from either plants or animals. It can be used for low carbon energy and it is a key part of the government’s plan for tackling climate change. Some of the materials also being considered are seaweed and grasses. Biomass is also backed by the independent Climate Change Committee.
It comes as the government face increasing pressure to tackle the energy crisis and fuel poverty facing the UK. Energy prices soared causing a surge in ‘fuel poverty‘ among homes in the UK. A government report released in July 2021 revealed that 2.5 million homes are currently experiencing poverty as a result of rising gas prices and subsequent bill increases.
Around nine in ten British homes rely on a gas boiler to heat their homes. Gas as a fossil fuel releases carbon into the air which contributes to climate change. One solution proposed has been a gas boiler ban which should see all homes replace their current units with sustainable versions.
York University funding
The University of York and the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) received over £190,000 for a project examining hemp as a biomass option and also increasing its capabilities as a crop through breeding.
HEMP-30 was one of 24 projects awarded the funding in a previous round. The ten-year project addresses changing the production and utilisation of industrial hemp as a biorefinery crop.
As part of the project, the University researchers will be examining molecular plant breeding technology with a view to enhancing the traits of hemp plants for developing markets. It will also boost the amount of hemp grown in the UK from 800 hectares to 80,000 making it a major crop.
Some of the projects supported under Phase 1 included producing algae using wastewater from breweries and dairy industries, seaweed farming in North Yorkshire and increasing the planting and harvesting of willow.
Professor Ian Graham from the University’s Department of Biology said the project confirms York’s commitment to supporting the shift from oil-based to bio-based products.
He said: “The HEMP-30 project is an outstanding example of that translation from the lab to bio-based applications, opening up new markets for farmers, supporting the development of high value, skilled jobs while addressing the need for low carbon industrial products.”
