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Biomass Resource Analyses & Future Bioenergy Scenarios
[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2015.
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Abstract
The United Kingdom has committed itself to ambitious and legally-binding Greenhouse Gas emission reduction, and renewable energy contribution targets. Energy production from biomass is expected to play a significant role in achieving these targets. The PhD Research Project as presented in this Thesis provides an analysis of the UK’s indigenous biomass resources, and the potential they offer in servicing domestic bioenergy requirements. The biomass resource supply chain dynamics within the UK, govern the availability of these indigenous resources. By modelling these supply chain dynamics, an assessment has been undertaken; the principle aim of which was to evaluate the potential contribution that indigenous biomass resources can make towards the UK’s future energy mix. This Research finds that the United Kingdom has considerable indigenous biomass resources that could potentially be made available, if the UK were able to develop its supply chains to appropriately mobilise these resources. However, the specific demands and the direction of development of the UK’s future bioenergy sector, as driven by the UK Government’s current strategies and policies; demonstrate degrees of incompatibility with the forecast potential of biomass resource availability. The consequence of this disparity is likely to result in rising biomass resource imports to balance the UK’s future energy demands. Further analysis highlights the potential impacts, inherent uncertainties, and risks to the United Kingdom’s bioenergy sector; associated with trade within future global biomass resource markets. The concluding themes are based on analyses and discussions that indicate that the UK should implement strategies to develop its indigenous resources, and develop its supply chains to optimise these resources; rather than become heavily reliant on imports from the global markets.