Alternative Fuel Research
Are we going to continue using black oil out of Saudi ground forever? That’s not a good idea. The old story of the ant and the grasshopper applies here. We, in the United States of America, may be likened to the grasshopper who played and fiddled all summer. The ant, on the other hand (which may be likened to the Europeans and Brits) worked tirelessly. We in the United States are simply toodling along, letting a few universities do their best with their field trials for biofuel production, but otherwise, not doing a whole lot to anticipate that “winter is coming.” Yet, in Europe, which we liken to the ant, these folks have been busily trying to find a suitable alternative fuel to black oil for years now. And they are succeeding.
Germany is doing a vast amount of alternative fuel research. In addition, a great deal of good news is coming out of England about biomass fuel. Farmers across the southwest of England are being offered the opportunity for long-term profitable and secure earnings.
Bical, Europe’s leading developer and commercial producer of the energy crop, Miscanthus, is working closely with English Power to provide up to 100,000 tons per year of the carbon neutral crop for use initially at the Aberthaw Power Station near Barry in South Wales.
To address this significant potential demand, farmers in Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire are being approached by Bical for the opportunity to grow Miscanthus. Grants are available from Natural England aimed at offsetting some of the growers’ costs, subject to its environmental criteria.
Miscanthus is a very high yielding energy crop. It is a perennial grass that grows over three meters tall, resembles maize and produces a crop of cane each year. The cane, a type of biomass, is harvested every spring, baled, then transported to a Power Station where it is used to generate renewable electricity.
Miscanthus is already being grown in the South West of England and throughout the country. Such is its success that Drax Power Station in Yorkshire has recently announced plans to increase its requirement for the crop from 100,000 to 300,000 tons per year.
Miscanthus is one of the most sustainable and efficient means of producing biomass to generate renewable electricity. Every ton of Miscanthus used in substitution of coal prevents approximately 2 tons of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere.
Bical’s unique strength lies in the Company’s involvement in all aspects of Miscanthus production – from establishment to delivering the end products and managing the fuel supply chain. Bical has over 10 years experience in Miscanthus production and has large-scale contracts with energy generators across the UK and in Europe. There is large and sustainable demand that presents a real opportunity for farmers wishing to grow the crop.
The potential for renewable biomass fuel is something Dr. Paul Carver, Project Development Director for Bical, emphasizes. He said recently: “Bical is the UK’s leading developer and producer of Miscanthus. Our position in the market and a rapidly increasing demand for truly renewable and sustainable sources of energy, makes us an ideal partner in creating opportunities for the farming community. We have already signed large scale long-term deals with major power companies in the UK for the supply of Miscanthus and can handle all logistics on behalf of the grower to help them take maximum advantage of these exciting opportunities.”
Opportunities exist in all parts of the country for growers to consider introducing Miscanthus on their farms. Dr. Carver added to his remarks: “Growers should not assume that Miscanthus cannot compete with the current high cereal prices. Take time to explore the real returns that are possible from energy cropping and you will find they can be very attractive.”