BIOMASS AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

BIOMASS

In energy terms, 'biomass' refers to the use of a wide variety of organic material for the generation of heat, electricity or motive power. Essentially, biomass can be viewed as a form of stored solar energy. The sun's energy is captured and stored via the process of photosynthesis in growing material. This energy is released directly, e.g. by combustion (burning), or is converted into intermediate products which are then converted to release the stored energy (e.g. refining, to produce liquid transport fuels or anaerobic digestion to produce 'biogas').There are a wide variety of different resources that can be classed as biomass and there are an equally wide variety of different technologies that can be used to convert the energy stored in biomass. The technologies vary in maturity across the range from fully mature, commercial applications to early-stage R&D concepts.
The use of biomass energy has the potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Burning biomass releases carbon dioxide. However, when fossil fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide that was captured by photosynthesis millions of years ago— thus an essentially "new" greenhouse gas is being released into the atmosphere. Biomass, on the other hand, releases carbon dioxide that is largely balanced by the carbon dioxide that has been captured in its own growth, over a much shorter time period. Consequently, displacing fossil fuels with biomass should result in significantly lower net carbon emissions to the atmosphere.
In October 2005, the Carbon Trust published the Biomass Sector Review. This report represented over 6 months of detailed research and analysis into biomass in the UK. The review's primary aim was to develop a better understanding of the economics of biomass and to help identify where the Carbon Trust could be material in trying to accelerate the development of the sector.
The study identified that the Carbon Trust can be material in the biomass sector by running an acceleration project focusing on biomass for heating alone in the scale range 0.2-2MWth. This application and scale range offers the most cost-effective Carbon Savings in the absence of policy support and is also an area in which directed Carbon Trust activity can have the most material impact.
Following on from the conclusions of this report, the Carbon Trust has launched a new acceleration project. With a budget of up to £5m over a period of up to 5 years, the Biomass Heat Acceleration Project will be the largest Technology Accelerator ever undertaken by the Carbon Trust and represents a strong commitment to supporting development of the biomass heat sector in the UK.
The broad aim of BHAP is to help make the UK biomass heat market self-sustaining by reducing costs and addressing supply chain risks. The project aims to work with existing and new sites to develop benchmarks from robust case studies, identify and demonstrate cost reductions, and raise awareness amongst end users and other stakeholders.
As with other Technology Accelerator projects (such as the Carbon Trust work in the marine sector) BHAP will identify the key barriers to development of the biomass market. It will provide a clear fact-base to inform future Government policy and take steps to accelerate progress in this area.
If you are an existing user of biomass heating equipment, an installer of biomass equipment, are interested in the potential to use biomass or would like some further information on the project, please email mailto:biomass@carbontrust.co.uk?Subject=Contact%20from%20the%20Carbon%20Trust%20Website or contact Keiran Allen on 020 7170 7041.

GRANTS

A new round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme funded by Defra
The purpose of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme is to promote the efficient use of biomass for energy, by stimulating the early deployment of biomass fuelled heat and biomass combined heat and power projects. It will do this by awarding capital grants towards the cost of equipment in complete installations.
The Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme is a joint initiative by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Lottery Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Please note that the deadline for the receipt of applications was 17.00 on the 9th March 2007. No further applications can be considered under this round of funding.
Defra plan to hold further rounds of the scheme but this is subject to the necessary funds being available. At this stage it is impossible to specify the timing of any future round(s) although Defra would hope to hold calls at least annually.
All enquiries should be addressed to AEA Energy & Environment at defracapitalgrants@aeat.co.uk

ROCS

Building Options for UK renewable energy , from the Carbon Trust, highlights the opportunities for UK plc in the renewables sector.
While all the technologies reviewed could develop into significant global markets, the economic opportunities for UK plc vary greatly.
Off-shore wind: UK companies could develop into a global leader as the industry is in an early stage of development and the UK has significant resource, design and installation experience in off-shore environments
On-shore wind: UK could build a significant domestic industry through local component manufacture, installation and operation in on-shore wind
Wave and tidal stream: with significant local resource UK companies are in a strong competitive position to become a global leader if these technologies can become cost competitive
The Investor Perspectives on Renewable Power in the UK published in December 2003 was funded by the Carbon Trust and carried out by L.E.K. Consulting for the DTI's Renewables Advisory Board.
The study consulted 41 key individuals in 39 organisations across large utilities, developers, project financing, private equity and fund managers involved in the UK renewables sector.
The key suggestions arising from the interview process included:
The ROC (Renewable Obligation Certificate) mechanism is perceived by the majority of interviewees to be effective and should not be discarded
Greater certainty around targets and Government policy post-2010-11 is the primary requirement to underpin the further values of the ROCs and the 2005-06 review should be brought forward
The intentions for eligibility of other technologies, such as co-firing, CHP and waste, which could seriously undermine ROC values unless the targets were adjusted accordingly, also need clarifying

DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Universal Declaration of Human RightsAdopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages। Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories।"PREAMBLEWhereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction।Article 1।All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty।Article 3।Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person।Article 4.No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.Article 5.No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.Article 6.Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.Article 7.All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.Article 8.Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.Article 9.No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.Article 10.Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.Article 11.(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.Article 12.No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.Article 13.(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.Article 14.(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.Article 15.(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.Article 16.(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.Article 17.(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.Article 18.Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.Article 19.Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.Article 20.(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.Article 21.(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.Article 22.Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.Article 23.(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.Article 24.Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.Article 25.(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.Article 26.(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.Article 27.(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.Article 28.Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.Article 29.(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.Article 30.Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.