The Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) sets a target for 15% renewable energy in the UK by 2020 across heat, power and transport fuel sectors. Biomass crops could offer a potential source of renewable energy (biofuel) for electricity, heat, and engine fuel production, helping to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and improve our future energy security. These crops aim to provide carbon-neutral and sustainable clean energy from resources that are continually replaced.
Genetic Innovation
Many UK crops, already grown for animal or human food consumption and processing, could provide a feedstock for renewable energy production. Perennial non-food crops are also being developed for the renewable energy market, including trees for coppicing and fast growing, high yielding grasses with low fertiliser and pesticide requirements. Some advances have been made, with breeding programmes developing new varieties for the UK growing conditions and end-use markets, but these crops are still relatively underdeveloped with scope for further improvement.
- Miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus)
- Willow (Salix viminalis)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L)
