March 26, 2007

scientists respond to Scottish funding for biomass projects and a hydrogen energy programme

Prof Roland Clift, Professor Of Environmental Technology, University of Surrey, said:

“I’m delighted the Scottish Executive has realised something lost on other political bodies, that biomass for heat and power is a much more effective renewable fuel than any attempt to use bioenergy for transport.

“Conditions in Scotland make the use of biomass particularly favourable. It is pleasing to see that this initiative promotes the use of existing resources and encourages the expansion of these resources in a way that could lead to major reductions in CO2 emissions. For example, in Austria about 12% of primary energy is already provided by renewable biomass, a figure which may be compared with nuclear power in the UK which provides around 4%.

“These initiatives will also expand the use of local heat distribution systems which, as practise elsewhere in Europe has amply demonstrated, are a very carbon-effective way of providing space and water heating which represents the single largest component of energy use in the UK.”

Miles Seaman, Chairman Of The Engineering Forum For Energy, Institution of Chemical Engineers, said:

“Providing a fresh impetus for developing the concept of the hydrogen economy is to be welcomed. However the overall economic/environmental rationale is somewhat suspect. The hydrogen economy needs integrated thinking if it is to make a real and substantial contribution to providing sustainable energy to the whole community. Funding of £1.5m is too little to achieve this. The use of landfill gas to generate electrolytic hydrogen is a dubious route to sustainable energy.”