The UK Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator is developed in partnership between the National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials (NNFCC), Environment Agency (EA)and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

It was designed to calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from solid biomass and biogas used to generate heat and electricity and its backers claim it covers every step from ‘feedstock production through to energy generation’.

Reporting GHG emissions to Ofgem becomes mandatory for all bioenergy generators above 1MW from April next year, however currently there are no financial implications linked with the move.

Then from April 2013 generators above 1MW must achieve GHG savings of more than 60%, compared to fossil equivalents, if they are to receive financial support for the renewable energy they generate.

NNFCC head of biomass and biogas, Lucy Hopwood, who helped develop the tool said: “This new tool will help bioenergy generators to report their emissions consistently and fairly to Ofgem, as required by the Renewables Obligation.”

“The tool is fully compatible with the Renewable Energy Directive methodology for calculating GHG emissions, taking account of the recommendations set out by the European Commission in their report on sustainability requirements for solid and gaseous biomass.”

To download the calculator click here.

Luke Walsh

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