SUPERGEN BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND ENERGY CROPS II CORE

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Applications for heat and electricity)
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes))

Basic and strategic applied research
Applied Research and Development

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)

Dr JM Jones
Energy Resources Research Unit
University of Leeds

Standard

EPSRC

01 June 2007

30 November 2011

54 months

£6,313,560

Bioengineering

Yorkshire & Humberside

Energy -- Energy Research Capacity

Dr JM Jones, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds

Prof K Anderson, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester
Dr AW Bauen, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London
Dr JG Brammer, Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
Professor AV Bridgwater, Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
Professor PC Brookes, Agriculture and Environment Division, Rothamsted Research
Professor WIF David, ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, STFC (Science & Technology Facilities Council)
Professor SG Davies, Oxford Chemistry, University of Oxford
Dr IS Donnison, IBERS, Aberystwyth University
Dr V Dupont, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds
Professor P Edwards, Oxford Chemistry, University of Oxford
Professor P Ekins, UCL Energy Institute, University College London
Dr G Griffiths, Sch of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
Dr M Hawkesford, Crop Performance and Improvement Div, Rothamsted Research
Dr M Jones, ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, STFC (Science & Technology Facilities Council)
Mr JE Oakey, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University
Professor M Pourkashanian, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds
Professor VN Sharifi, Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Sheffield
Dr I Shield, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Division, Rothamsted Research
Dr NJ Simms, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University
Professor J Swithenbank, Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Sheffield
Prof P Thornley, Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester
Mr I Tubby, Forest Research, Forestry Commission GB
Dr P Upham, Process, Environmental and Material Eng, University of Leeds
Professor A Williams, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds
Professor P Williams, Energy Resources Research Unit, University of Leeds

Ms J Tomei, UCL Energy Institute, University College London

Project Contact, Biomass Engineering Limited
Project Contact, Rural Generation Ltd
Project Contact, E.ON UK (formerly PowerGen)
Project Contact, RWE npower plc
Project Contact, Coppice Resources Ltd
Project Contact, Biomass Industrial Crops Ltd (Bical)
Project Contact, Alstom Power Ltd

Bioenergy is now becoming a commercial reality, ranging from cofiring in power stations, small units for power and/or heat, as well as transport fuels such as biodiesel. This SUPERGEN bioenergy project will continue to deliver the scientific background to the provision and utilisation of bioenergy, as well as innovative concepts for new applications. The research brings together growers, biologists, agronomists, economists, scientists and engineers in a unique multi-disciplinary team that will tackle the challenges associated with the further development of this renewable resource in a sustainable manner. The extended programme examines production and utilisation related factors that affect quality and suitability of a biomass fuel for different end uses, with a particular emphasis on the energy crops, willow and miscanthus, as well as more diverse fuel streams including residues and co-products. The work programme ranges from practical issues associated with fuel handling andpreparation, to fundamental studies of genetics, agronomy and chemistry that affect both desirable and undesirable fuel characteristics. In addition, key engineering solutions for the successful development of biomass thermal conversion technologies are sought through (a) an understanding of the basic science in thermal conversion and (b) component and plant engineering issues. These topics are developed further in this renewal proposal through advanced engineering models complemented by experimental studies in a range of combustion, gasification and pyrolysis units.In addition, the scope of the project has been widened in this continuation to consider challenges in fuels and chemicals production from biomass, integrated with energy production in a "bio-refinery" approach

29/05/07