The term biomass refers to a wide range of organic material such as timber, straw and energy crops. In this case the investigation focused on Miscanthus, SRC and Wood fuels. Biomass can be used for electricity generation in CHP (combined heat and power) systems however, is most economical and commonly applied for space and water heating directly from special wood-fuel boilers/stoves. Typically wood fuel comes in one of three main formats: chip, log or pellets, each having advantages that make them more or less suitable for different applications. As a general rule of thumb chip is the norm for large industrial usage, (75kWth+) where-as pellet and log are usually found in smaller installs including domestic systems.

The urgent need to reduce UK CO₂ emissions is almost universally accepted in the UK, energy crops could play an important role in off setting this. Climate change is having increasingly detrimental impacts on rural landscapes and economics in the UK and internationally. Rising demands for low carbon energy sources will make energy crop production an increasingly profitable business, which could have some positive implications for rural economies and the agricultural sector in particular if developed appropriately.

The Devon Biomass Opportunity Statement was written to report on the extensive mapping to assess the scale in which certain crops can be grown in Devon without having a detrimental impact on the rural environment. This project was developed with the backing and support of many local and national organisations. These are Natural England, The Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon AONB, English Heritage, National Farmers Union, Exmoor National Park and the South West Regional Development Agency.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy was commissioned to produce a map of Devon, highlighting the areas of opportunity by integrating what we currently know about our wider environment objectives for example biodiversity and ecology, visual appearance and landscape character, the historic environment and archaeology and agricultural diversity. This set along side the needs for crop growth has allowed us to pinpoint areas where energy crop growth can take place in Devon, whilst managing possible impacts on the countryside.

Contact DARE
For more information contact the Devon Associtaion for Renewable Energy for free information and advice:

• For more information and to download maps visit: www.devondare.org/boh.htm
• For more information and to download maps and go to: www.devondare.org
• Postal Enquires -Print off the form (33KB - pdf help) and send it in to:Devon Association for Renewable Energy, 12a The Square, North Tawton, Devon EX20 2EP
• Email: email biomass@devondare.org
• Telephone -01837 510 005

Rosie Shoosmith, Project officer
Email: biomass@devondare.org
Tel: 01837 510 005
Devon Association for Renewable Energy, 12a The Square, North Tawton, EX20 2EP