Supergen Bioenergy Hub 2018
Lead Research Organisation:
Aston University
Department Name: College of Engineering and Physical Sci
Abstract
Biomass is plant or woody material that during its growth has absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis . When the biomass is used to produce bioenergy it re-releases to atmosphere the same amount of CO2 as was sequestered during growth. Therefore, as long as biomass growth is close in time period to release there is no net addition to the long term atmospheric CO2 concentration. However, some aspects of processing and using the biomass may generate additional greenhouse gas emissions that need to be accounted for and, given that the UK is trying to decrease all carbon emissions it is important that we make efficient use of our biomass resource by maximizing the production and use of truly sustainable resource and developing efficient pre-treatment and conversion technologies. It is also important that we make the best use of the sustainable biomass resource and fully understand the wider impact and costs of implementation.
This project brings together leading UK bioenergy research groups to develop sustainable bioenergy systems that support the UK's transition to an affordable, resilient, low-carbon energy future. We will synthesize previous work on land and feedstock availability to assess the realistic potential resource for UK bioenergy and examine new crops that could support UK farming by delivering ecosystem benefits as well as biomass resource. We will test the performance of different feedstocks in high efficiency conversion options and develop new techniques which will improve resource efficiency in bioenergy systems, especially at small scale. We will evaluate the impact of using biomass for heat, electricity, transport fuels or chemicals to provide independent, authoritative information to guide decision making by industrialists and policy makers. We will assess the potential for bioenergy to contribute a proportion of the UK's future sustainable energy mix, taking into account the environmental, economic and social impacts of the processes.
We will work with industrialists and policy makers to ensure that our work is relevant to their needs and reflects achievable implementation standards. We will share our findings in our research work widely with the industry and policy communities and make it accessible to societal stakeholders on our website, via special publications, in the conventional and on social media and with tailored events for public engagement.
This project brings together leading UK bioenergy research groups to develop sustainable bioenergy systems that support the UK's transition to an affordable, resilient, low-carbon energy future. We will synthesize previous work on land and feedstock availability to assess the realistic potential resource for UK bioenergy and examine new crops that could support UK farming by delivering ecosystem benefits as well as biomass resource. We will test the performance of different feedstocks in high efficiency conversion options and develop new techniques which will improve resource efficiency in bioenergy systems, especially at small scale. We will evaluate the impact of using biomass for heat, electricity, transport fuels or chemicals to provide independent, authoritative information to guide decision making by industrialists and policy makers. We will assess the potential for bioenergy to contribute a proportion of the UK's future sustainable energy mix, taking into account the environmental, economic and social impacts of the processes.
We will work with industrialists and policy makers to ensure that our work is relevant to their needs and reflects achievable implementation standards. We will share our findings in our research work widely with the industry and policy communities and make it accessible to societal stakeholders on our website, via special publications, in the conventional and on social media and with tailored events for public engagement.
Planned Impact
The project has been developed in conjunction with over 50 non-academic users of the research to ensure that the research programme addresses key evidence gaps, engineering challenges and societal concerns. This will be consolidated by a number of engagement workshops at the outset, allowing the hub to establish firm working relationships with key stakeholders for transfer of information that will support impact in industry, policy and society.
The focus of the hub on industrial, policy and societal priorities will be maintained by an advisory board representative of a broad set of these stakeholder interests.
The project impact plan focuses on international impact, UK policy impact and knowledge transfer. The hub's communication and engagement plan includes not only one-way dissemination, but also two-way knowledge exchange via workshops, small focused meetings and secondments, which have been enthusiastically welcomed by industrial and policy partners. We will maximise the efficiency of hub communications by making effective use of social media (including twitter, LinkedIn and our hub website) to target different stakeholders with appropriate information in a timely manner.
Hub partners will be empowered to connect with industrialists, policy makers and societal stakeholders in greater depth about key issues via travel grants and funding for secondments, which will not only allow transfer of knowledge but also enrichment of respective academic, industrial and policy perspectives.
The hub has a unique role in connecting industry, policy, societal and academic interests in a relatively controversial renewable energy area. By developing relationships of trust, pursuing sound science with integrity and providing impartial information to the wider community we will support UK policy makers in ensuring they design mechanisms that facilitate sustainable bioenergy devleopment, industrialists in developing more cost-effective bioenergy solutions and society in being confident that research is accelerating low-carbon, resilient and sustainable bioenergy systems.
The focus of the hub on industrial, policy and societal priorities will be maintained by an advisory board representative of a broad set of these stakeholder interests.
The project impact plan focuses on international impact, UK policy impact and knowledge transfer. The hub's communication and engagement plan includes not only one-way dissemination, but also two-way knowledge exchange via workshops, small focused meetings and secondments, which have been enthusiastically welcomed by industrial and policy partners. We will maximise the efficiency of hub communications by making effective use of social media (including twitter, LinkedIn and our hub website) to target different stakeholders with appropriate information in a timely manner.
Hub partners will be empowered to connect with industrialists, policy makers and societal stakeholders in greater depth about key issues via travel grants and funding for secondments, which will not only allow transfer of knowledge but also enrichment of respective academic, industrial and policy perspectives.
The hub has a unique role in connecting industry, policy, societal and academic interests in a relatively controversial renewable energy area. By developing relationships of trust, pursuing sound science with integrity and providing impartial information to the wider community we will support UK policy makers in ensuring they design mechanisms that facilitate sustainable bioenergy devleopment, industrialists in developing more cost-effective bioenergy solutions and society in being confident that research is accelerating low-carbon, resilient and sustainable bioenergy systems.
Organisations
- Aston University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Co-funder)
- Department of Transport (Collaboration)
- European Union (Collaboration)
- Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (Collaboration)
- Kew Technology (Collaboration)
- National Farmers Union (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (Collaboration)
- SHV Energy (Collaboration)
- Progressive Energy (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Energy Systems Catapult (Project Partner)
- EarthShift Global (Project Partner)
- Department for Transport (Project Partner)
- Drax (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Innovate UK (Project Partner)
- Renewable Energy Association (Project Partner)
- The Climate Change Committe (Project Partner)
- Energy Technology Partnership (Project Partner)
- Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Project Partner)
- Uniper Technologies Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Project Partner)
Publications
Lan L
(2023)
Mechanistic Study of Glucose Photoreforming over TiO 2 -Based Catalysts for H 2 Production
in ACS Catalysis
Abouelela A
(2021)
Hazardous Creosote Wood Valorization via Fractionation and Enzymatic Saccharification Coupled with Simultaneous Extraction of the Embedded Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Protic Ionic Liquid Media
in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Abouelela A
(2021)
Evaluating the Role of Water as a Cosolvent and an Antisolvent in [HSO 4 ]-Based Protic Ionic Liquid Pretreatment
in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Chambon C
(2020)
Fractionation by Sequential Antisolvent Precipitation of Grass, Softwood, and Hardwood Lignins Isolated Using Low-Cost Ionic Liquids and Water
in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Lan L
(2022)
Effect of Ball-Milling Pretreatment of Cellulose on Its Photoreforming for H2 Production.
in ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering
Murnaghan CWJ
(2022)
Toward the Photocatalytic Valorization of Lignin: Conversion of a Model Lignin Hexamer with Multiple Functionalities.
in ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering
Abouelela A
(2020)
Toward a Circular Economy: Decontamination and Valorization of Postconsumer Waste Wood Using the ionoSolv Process
in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Malinowska M
(2020)
Morphological and Physiological Traits that Explain Yield Response to Drought Stress in Miscanthus
in Agronomy
Ascher S
(2022)
A comprehensive artificial neural network model for gasification process prediction
in Applied Energy
| Title | 'Build your own biorefinery' flip book game |
| Description | Members of the public are invited to create their own biorefinery using our interactive book demonstrating the many routes to producing bioenergy and bioproducts and the co-benefits that can be achieved through different choices. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The flip book has been used at various events, including on an exhibition stand in the Green Zone at COP26, on school visits and at exhibitions, including the Young People's Green Growth Assembly. We have had requests to buy the book and to distribute it more widely. We are planning to print more copies and are developing a digital interactive version to be hosted on our website. |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/28590_Biorefinery_LayoutConcept_08_fin... |
| Title | International Women's Day 2022 #BreakTheBias with Supergen Bioenergy Hub |
| Description | Video to support International Women's Day 2022, promoting the ASPIRE strategy to support gender balance in applications and awards. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Video was promoted on various social media accounts and has been viewed 106 times on YouTube. |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnNgTyUGvcU |
| Title | Visual representation of discussions on policy at Supergen Net Zero Conference, September 2021 |
| Description | Throughout the session on policy at our Net Zero Conference, a professional artist from Scriberia was capturing key elements of the discussion in the illustration 'Supergen vision for a net zero energy future'. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | The image has been used by each of the Supergen hubs to convey our work in an accessible and novel way. Feedback from colleagues and conference attendees has been very positive. |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-programme-delivers-vision-for-net-zero-future-at-en... |
| Description | We reviewed marginal land definitions, classification criteria and management options, acknowledging a system approach considering multiple factors supports more robust decision making. Data from four sites developed understanding of soil and climate heterogeneity on crop performance. We developed opportunity maps for energy crops using a process-based crop model (refined to exclude constraints e.g. waterbodies, built up, protected and productive areas). High-resolution maps predict high miscanthus yields in south west and east England, south Wales and some patches in Scotland and Northern Ireland; while short coppice willow is favoured in south east and west England, East Anglia, south and west Wales. More than 60% of UK land has potential for energy crop deployment. Biomass fractionation and conversion processes have been developed to convert feedstocks into chemical products. Ball-milling significantly improved the hydrogen production rate from photocatalytic reforming. Ionic liquids demonstrably improved the H2 yield from photoreforming of lignins and the H2 yield was compared with that from raw biomass. Feedstock potassium content was shown to have a significant negative impact on pyrolysis bio-oil yield, so excess must be avoided in agronomy. Blending of high and low ash feedstocks improved bio-oil heating value and composition. Our integrated sustainability assessment model has highlighted key challenges for UK bioenergy implementation around feedstock sustainability and carbon balances and opportunities in the chemicals/products areas. Hydrogen from biomass has been demonstrated to be low carbon and able to achieve very low levels of life cycle emissions, commensurate with the European green taxonomy. Biofuels have been shown to have potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions from glass production. |
| Exploitation Route | We are already working with Defra, DfT and BEIS to provide input into their ongoing information needs as well as organizing and training ECR's to engage with policy-makers. We are liaising with a broad range of industrialists to support their commercialization activities. Many Supergen academic partners are playing key roles in supporting deployment of this research via BEIS NZIP and Innovate UK funded feasibility studies. Many larger companies are in discussions with us about how to make their supply chains and practices more sustainable by leveraging the potential of biomass. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| URL | http://www.supergen-bioenergy.net |
| Description | We have worked regularly and extensively with the UK government on its biomass strategy, ensuring it is informed by Supergen research. We have provided data on biomass to fuels carbon intensity to the green taxonomy advisory group. Our findings on the potential for biomass to chemicals have been used by government to justify commissioning work on this from consultants as part of the biomass strategy. Ten Supergen academic partners have become involved in a variety of BEIS funded net zero projects: partnering with industry to develop demonstrations of biomass to hydrogen/net zero/negative emissions. We have supported BEIS in selecting and monitoring successful projects. We have worked closely with trade associations including Liquid Gas UK, the REA, NFU and RFA to provide academic support to their members and communicate key scientific findings. We are working with international partners to steer international development of BECCS and gasification in the UK interests. We have worked with landowners, growers and innovators in the feedstock space, so that several Supergen partners are involved in projects moving towards commercialization focused on feedstock innovation, which is making use of Supergen research. Freer completed modelling working with Glass Futures, identifying waste and residue biomass (especially Tall Oil, Crude Glycerol and Used Cooking Oil) resource opportunities within regions of the UK where glass manufacturing is concentrated |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | BECCS Workshop Research and Innovation Needs for Biomass to energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), 15 Jan 2021 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy hub has extensive existing knowledge of this area, but it is a fast-moving, diverse area and so we gathered together relevant stakeholders to discuss the challenges and issues surrounding BECCS in order to assist EPSRC with definition of research priorities for any new initiatives in BECCS. We selected a set of 30 academics and 35 industrialists and 8 contacts from government departments and funding bodies to invite to the meeting, as we knew they were active in the topic area. Around 48 attended with 16 from industry, 10 from government/funders and the remainder from academia. After introductory presentations from Supergen and EPSRC on the scope for the meeting, BEIS gave an overview of what is happening in BECCS in relation to the Biomass Strategy. A panel of four people from industry presented their priorities and challenges for BECCS. Academics were then given the opportunity to speak for 2 minutes each on their top priority / challenge. Notes on all the presentations have been captured in the write up. A report is being prepared for circulation |
| Description | BEIS Gasification Benchmarking Project |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | BEIS public dialogue "Biomass and BECCS" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Supporting development of knowledge adn understaning of public perception to inform UK biomass strategy |
| Description | Bio-based chemicals |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
| Description | Bioenergy Scoping Report. In March 2020 The Hub was commissioned by the UK Government Department for Transport to produce a report which examines the current scope and capability of existing UK bioenergy models. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The UK Biomass Availability Modelling Scoping Report published by Hub researchers Andrew Welfle (University of Manchester), Rob Holland (University of Southampton), Iain Donnison (Aberystwyth University) and Patricia Thornley (Aston University), makes recommendations around the incorporation of natural capital thinking, representation of human actors, improving understanding of dynamic competition and demands, and policy influences on biomass resource availability. The Hub ran two briefing sessions for government departments including DEFRA, DfT, Trade and Treasury as well as members of the academic and business communities. |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Supergen-Bioenergy-Hub-UK-Biomass-Avai... |
| Description | Birmingham R20 Taskforce to inform local policy decisions on Route to Zero (P Thornley) |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20015/environment/2026/climate_emergency/4 |
| Description | Chairing oversight group on BEIS public perception study on biomass and BECCS |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | oversight group will steer research on public perception of biomass and BECCS |
| Description | Circular economy policy commission |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Contribution to Committee on Climate Change consultation on 6th Carbon Budget - Hub |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Contribution to government review on Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) - Patricia Thornley |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | According to global climate and economic models, removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere will be necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Among Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) techniques, these models assume that Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) could play a prominent role. This POSTnote summarises why BECCS has been included in the models, outlines the challenges and trade-offs of deploying at scale, and considers policy options for supporting its development. |
| URL | https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0618 |
| Description | Defra TAW-SAG (Trees and Woodland Scientific Advisory Group) P Thornley |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Improved understanding |
| Description | DfT Scientific Advisory Committee (P Thornley) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | EfW Policy Commission Report (P Thornley) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | EfW Policy Commission Report published |
| URL | https://www.era.ac.uk/write/MediaUploads/Other%20documents/EfW_Policy_Commission_Report_accessible.p... |
| Description | Engage with UK policy makers to ensure the Supergen research is aligned with their strategies |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Consultation exercise with government departments and policy makers to ensure relevance of Supergen Bioenergy Hub activities |
| Description | Evidence provided to the Greenhouse gas removals consultation by UK Government |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Evidence submitted in response to Consultation on Designing a Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Evidence submitted in response to Government Call for Evidence on Net Zero Governance |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Net-Zero-Governance.pdf |
| Description | Evidence submitted in response to Government Call for Evidence on the Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-bioenergy-hub-response-to-the-biomass-strategy-call... |
| Description | Evidence submitted to Government Call for Evidence on Phasing Out The Installation Of Fossil Fuel Heating In Homes Off The Gas Grid |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Forum for the Future: High-Level Panel on BECCS Done Well |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Expert evidence, Forum for the Future: High-Level Panel on BECCS Done Well |
| Description | GTAG EWG - Green taxonomy advisory group - energy working group. Patricia Thornley |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Greenhouse gas removal: September 2018 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Through addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases that are driving climate change |
| URL | http://royalsociety.org/greenhouse-gas-removal |
| Description | Input into European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Bioenergy Joint Programme. |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Participation in workshops and virtual meetings. Drafting document. Inputs will inform European Strategic energy Technology Plan (SET Plan). |
| URL | https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/technology-and-innovation/strategic-energy-technology-plan |
| Description | Input to REA Bioenergy Strategy Report - various Supergen partners |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Several members of Supergen Management Group participated in working groups and a workshop to shape the Bioenergy Strategy document before publication. Prof Patricia Thornley was also asked to give the keynote address at the Parliamentary launch of REA bioenergy strategy. This is what she said straight after the launch event: "It was great that they publicly stated in the room several times the great contribution they had from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and how helpful that had been (especially as BBSRC were in the room). The industrialists really appreciated it, UKRI liked that we did it and it made a difference to our reputations and opened some new doors in terms of contacts. The plan now is to establish an all-party parliamentary group on bioenergy." |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/rea-report-ministers-must-commit-to-16-bioenergy-to-safeguar... |
| Description | Input to Royal Society report on : Sustainable synthetic carbon based fuels for transport - Patricia Thornley |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The need to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from all human activities has never been clearer. One area requiring urgent action is the transition from the use of fossil fuels for transport. Whilst the decarbonisation of electricity is progressing and many transport modes can feasibly be electrified, some transport modes, such as heavy-duty vehicles, aircraft and shipping will require different technological options. Sustainable synthetic fuels offer one solution. |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/sustainable-synthetic-ca... |
| Description | Member of Net Zero Science Advisory Panel for NFU. (Iain Donnison and Patricia Thornley) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Membership of Expert Advisory Group on "Land use: Policies for a Net Zero UK" for Committee of Climate Change (Iain Donnison) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/land-use-policies-for-a-net-zero-uk/ |
| Description | Participation as a stakeholder in the Wales evidence session for the Trade and Agriculture Commission |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-and-agriculture-commission-tac/trade-and-agricultur... |
| Description | Participation in The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry on Agriculture achieving net-zero emissions - IBERS |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Participation in The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry on Agriculture achieving net-zero emissions - Supergen Bioenergy Hub submission |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Participation in UKRI Research Infrastructure Consultation including on Cross Cutting Themes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Patricia Thornley - Oral Evidence to Environmental Audit Committee on Sustainable Timber and Deforestation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Not known yet |
| URL | https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/aston-university-bioenergy-expert-give-evidence-uk-parliament-ab... |
| Description | Policy Briefing event on Committee for Climate Change bioenergy report, forest carbon balances and BECCS |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Policy briefing on Biomass Availability |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Response to DfT Consultation: Supporting recycled carbon fuels through the RTFO |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Response to Net Zero Review Consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Scientific Advisory Committee for Drax Powerstation R. Holland, R. Rowe and I Donnisson |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Session on Policy and the Biomass Strategy at Annual Assembly - academic priorities for the biomass strategy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Discussions identifying priorities for Biomass Strategy. Recording of session available in URL link below. Has led to creation of a Policy Fellow post for Supergen and NIBBs to work more closely with government during the next 18 months |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-bioenergy-hub-annual-assembly-2020-focuses-on-the-u... |
| Description | The MacKay Carbon Calculator, expert consultation to follow up on BEIS work with the Energy Systems Catapult and Cambridge Architectural Research to develop the new model and its lever plan |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://mackaycarboncalculator.beis.gov.uk/overview/emissions-and-primary-energy-consumption/?levers... |
| Description | UKERC report - Power Shift: How to build Gender Balance in the Energy Research Portfolio - Patricia Thornley |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Our research explores the current state of gender balance in UK energy research. We looked at the data and talked to female energy researchers about their experience of securing research funding and of academic life. They told us what needs to change. The time for change is now. Urgent climate action needs more women and closing the energy gender gap will lead to more innovation and accelerate the transition to more sustainable and renewable energy systems. Progress on gender balance has been too slow for too long. There is a welcome renewed focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as UK Research and Innovation becomes established, and we need to ensure that this opportunity is fully seized upon. We also eagerly await the outcomes of the consultation on the Concordat to Support the Career Development of researchers, expected later this year. The energy sector needs women and the current under-representation of women in energy research funding is a waste of talent and expertise. |
| URL | http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/publications/power-shift.html |
| Description | Written evidence provided in response to Environmental Audit Committee Call for evidence on Negative Emissions Technologies |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6880/sustainable-timber-and-deforestation/publications/ |
| Description | BBNet Proof of Concept Funding |
| Amount | £49,998 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | POC08-Nov20 Hallett: Waste Wood2Paper |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | EP/W031019/1 |
| Amount | £6,100,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/W031019/1 Bio-derived and Bio-inspired Advanced Materials for Sustainable Industries (VALUED) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 12/2027 |
| Description | EPSRC IAA EPG130-SP2 (Loughborough) |
| Amount | £81,491 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | IAA EPG130-SP2 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub's ECR Seedcorn Fund |
| Amount | £3,500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Feasibility study of coupling solar concentrators with photocatalytic technology for biomass photo-reforming to hydrogen and sustainable energy fuels |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Department | Supergen Energy Networks Hub |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2021 |
| End | 12/2021 |
| Description | Energy Catalyst - Rice Straw Biogas Hub |
| Amount | £1,900,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 75940 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2022 |
| End | 08/2025 |
| Description | Expansion and further development of my PGCert in Hydrogen Energy Systems (see below) |
| Amount | £45,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Greenhouse Gas Removal by Accelerated Peat Formation |
| Amount | £4,383,972 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/V011561/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2021 |
| End | 11/2025 |
| Description | Hydrogen BECCS innovation program phase 1 - BlueGen - Utilisation of biorefinery residues for blue hydrogen production |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Hydrogen BECCS innovation program phase 1 - Feasibility of a novel two-stage reforming process for biohydrogen production |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Hydrogen BECCS innovation program phase 1 - Scouting of carbon removal technology and technology integration for novel Hydrogen technologies |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) |
| Amount | £19,903,412 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/V027050/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2021 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Understanding how servitization can impact UK economic productivity and environmental performance |
| Amount | £1,512,865 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ES/W010194/1 |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2022 |
| End | 06/2025 |
| Description | ValiD |
| Amount | € 1,100,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | Valorisation of Digestate using Photocatalysis and Hydrodynamic Cavitation' (ValiD |
| Organisation | Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Ireland |
| Start | 10/2022 |
| Description | WasteWood2Paper |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Not known Title WasteWood2Paper |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Department | Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Title | New multi-step bleaching protocol to produce nanocrystalline cellulose fibres developed at Imperial College |
| Description | We have developed and implemented a new multi-step bleaching protocol to produce nanocrystalline cellulose fibres directly from lignocellulosic biomass. Applications include paper additives and biomedical products. Publication in progress. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Publication in progress. |
| Title | New techniques |
| Description | New techniques (in-situ FTIR techniques to study photocatalytic reactions) and photocatalytic reactor/catalyst systems for photoreforming of biomass samples and model compounds have been developed at UoM and QUB. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Improved analysis capability |
| Title | Bioeconomy Sustainability Indicator Model (BSIM) |
| Description | The Bioeconomy Sustainability Indicator Model (BSIM) was developed by the UK Supergen Bioenergy Hub (SBH) to provide a flexible tool to map the sustainability of bioeconomy projects. The BSIM can analyse specific elements within bioeconomy projects from specific biomass resources, supply chains, technologies, or whole bioeconomy project value chains. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Model has been used by a number of flexible funding projects within Supergen |
| URL | https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/bioeconomy-sustainability-indicator-mod... |
| Title | Temporal Climate Impacts |
| Description | Spreadsheet to facilitate the calculation of time-dependent Absolute Global Warming Potential and Absolute Global Temperature Potential due to a temporally resolved (year by year) emissions inventory (CO2, CH4, other well-mixed forcers, and examples of short-life forcers). Examples and instructions are included within the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is intended to be a tool for LCA practitioners to quickly assess whether temporal aspects of GHG results are relevant and should be reported upon. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://researchdata.bath.ac.uk/id/eprint/923 |
| Title | Temporal Climate Impacts for Life Cycle Assessment |
| Description | Spreadsheet to facilitate the calculation of time-dependent Absolute Global Warming Potential and Absolute Global Temperature Potential due to a temporally resolved (year by year) emissions inventory (CO2, CH4, other well-mixed forcers, and examples of short-life forcers). Examples and instructions are included within the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is intended to be a tool for LCA practitioners to quickly assess whether temporal aspects of GHG results are relevant and should be reported upon. Organisations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Doctoral Training in Decarbonisation of the Built Environment (dCarb), Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC) , Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT), Institute for Policy Research (IPR), Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI), Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering People: Cooper, S. (Creator), McManus, M. (Project Leader), Hattam, L. (Researcher), Hawkins, W. (Contributor) |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This has been used to analyse the temporal impact of emissions from different life cycles - principally (to date) biobased systems. It has been used in several publications. |
| Description | Co-Director on BBNet (BBSRC NIBB) Patricia Thornley |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Department | Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Participated in all BBNet Meetings in Advisory capacity |
| Collaborator Contribution | Mutual / reciprocal agreement and support of Supergen Hub activities |
| Impact | Not known |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Co-I on NewJet+ (DfT decarbonising transport network) |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Aston University is one of the academic partners of the NewJet Network+ alongside Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Sheffield, Cardiff University, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Birmingham where the project lead Dr Simon Blakey is based. The work will also be supported by non-academic partners BP International Ltd, the Department for Transport and Renovare Fuels Ltd. Professor Patricia Thornley, who leads Aston's Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute as well as the national Supergen Bioenergy Hub, commented: "Aircraft emissions are one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions and so acting now to develop alternative options is important. The industry is already taking steps to tackle its impact but much more needs to be done and quickly. The NewJet+ Network will use engagement between industry and academia to deliver research that will help the UK to move towards a decarbonised aviation system." |
| Collaborator Contribution | The project lead Dr Simon Blakey is based University of Birmingham |
| Impact | Not yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership |
| Organisation | Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Carrying out work on examining bioenergy policy mechanisms and their potential interactions across different countries and end-use demand sectors. Aim is to identify and avoid any clashes or areas of policy conflict at different levels (local, national, international) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contribution in kind of time and data of £5,000 as well as introductions to relevant industrialists |
| Impact | Report in preparation. Upcoming workshoip in London. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Rapid Response project with NFU : The net-zero potential of bio-gas fast pyrolysis for the agricultural sector |
| Organisation | National Farmers Union |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Determine the techno-economic feasibility of biogas fast pyrolysis Identify and describe opportunities for the integration of AD to pyrolysis in the existing UK AD infrastructure Engage and collaborate with the NFU to develop research policy recommendations which will be disseminated to the relevant stakeholders |
| Collaborator Contribution | The NFU attend regular progress meetings of the project and provide advice, and guidance |
| Impact | Presentation of preliminary results is accepted for the EUBCE conference in April 2021 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | SHV low carbon LPG |
| Organisation | SHV Energy |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are carrying out a joint project investigating catalytic pathways from biomass to renewable liquid C3-C8 hydrocarbons to act as low carbon LPG globally, |
| Collaborator Contribution | Scoped project, cash contribution as above, guiding and supervising research project. Also now an advisory board member for SGBH and has met with early career researchers to encourage and mentor as well as representing SGBH internationally at our Gothenburg conference. |
| Impact | Not yet completed. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Secondment Ruoyang Yang to SHV Energy working with SHV conducting analysis on the performance and safe use of dimethyl ether (rDME) and its blends with liquefied petroleum gas, Jan to Apr 2022 |
| Organisation | SHV Energy |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub SHARE Network facilitated and an event for our Early Career Researchers in May 2021 for ECRs to meet with, and hear about, possible secondment opportunities with companies from within the bioenergy sector. The Hub had some secondment funding available to support researchers from our partner institutes to take up these opportunities. The event began with a session from interested companies who presented information about their company, any potential opportunities for secondments, as well as what they would be looking for from a secondee. This was followed by drop-in networking sessions that connected interested researchers with the companies directly (in separate chat rooms), allowing them time to discuss a potential secondment in more detail in order to match up people, skills and opportunities. The Hub team then facilitated the Secondment application process between the applicant and the company and make sure appropriate contractual terms were agreed as well as awarding funding to support the secondment.. |
| Collaborator Contribution | SHV Energy presented at the secondment networking event on the areas they may need support with from a secondee on particular activities related to bioenergy and biomass use. Following more in depth discussions with the interested secondee, the application was completed and approved and necessary paperwork completed for the secondment to go ahead. SHV have provide great advice and support throughout the process and it has been of mutual benefit to the organisation and to the secondee. |
| Impact | The secondment is still ongoing but has been very successful. Quote from Secondee: Working in industry as a researcher will provide me insights of industrial technology development and the network across various stakeholders. This will help me establish myself as an independent well-recognised researcher and leader in the areas of rDME and decarbonisation technologies in the future." |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Secondment Scott Banks to Kew Technology on on char utilisation from gasification to demonstrate carbon sequestration, sustainable fertiliser production and alternative uses to reduce overall process emissions. Oct to Nov 2021 |
| Organisation | KEW Technology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub SHARE Network facilitated and an event for our Early Career Researchers in May 2021 for ECRs to meet with, and hear about, possible secondment opportunities with companies from within the bioenergy sector. The Hub had some secondment funding available to support researchers from our partner institutes to take up these opportunities. The event began with a session from interested companies who presented information about their company, any potential opportunities for secondments, as well as what they would be looking for from a secondee. This was followed by drop-in networking sessions that connected interested researchers with the companies directly (in separate chat rooms), allowing them time to discuss a potential secondment in more detail in order to match up people, skills and opportunities. The Hub team then facilitated the Secondment application process between the applicant and the company and make sure appropriate contractual terms were agreed as well as awarding funding to support the secondment.. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Kew Technology presented at the secondment networking event on the areas they may need support with from a secondee on particular activities related to bioenergy and biomass use. Following more in depth discussions with the interested secondee, the application was completed and approved and necessary paperwork completed for the secondment to go ahead. The secondee received fantastic support from Kew Technology during the secondment period and both parties benefitted greatly. |
| Impact | Quote from secondee: My secondment at Kew Technology has allowed me to expand my perspective of the bioenergy industry and apply my expertise in the industrial environment. Currently, I am focused on a specific area (pyrolysis) of bioenergy within a research mindset. Kew has allowed me to view the bioenergy sector from an R & D and commercial perspective. This has allowed me to look at my research from a larger picture and open my eyes to different approaches and goals, which in turn has assisted me with developing my research ideas and furthering my academic credential. I firmly believe the industrial secondment has broadened my horizons and helped me link the research and industry better. It has also allowed me to explore greater independence, expand my network, and gain critical soft skills. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub and Department for Transport fund innovative research into bioenergy carbon capture, storage and utilisation in the transport sector |
| Organisation | Department of Transport |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub worked with Department for Transport to develop the call for proposals and promote the flexible funding opportunity to Members of the Supergen Network. Applicants were invited to submit research proposals investigating the potential for the integration of carbon capture and storage or utilisation with biofuel production in the transport sector. Following an anonymised screening process designed to ensure impartiality and encourage diversity in the applications, two awards have been made to researchers from Loughborough University and Herriott Watt. The Supergen Bioenergy Hub has announced the results of its first flexible funding call of £200,000, awarded jointly with the Department for Transport. The awards have been made to Dr Jin Xuan, Dr Tanja Radu and Dr Jonathan Wagner, all from Loughborough University. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub worked with Department for Transport to develop the call for proposals and promote the flexible funding opportunity to Members of the Supergen Network. The Department for Transport provided the funding to the Supergen Bioenergy Hub via the EPSRC. DfT have been involved in all stages of the process including advertisement of the opportunity, assessment of the applications and final decision making with regard to the awards. Regular progress meetings have been held with DfT to monitor and steer the progress on the awarded projects. |
| Impact | Project outlines were presented at the Supergen Hub Researchers meeting in Glasgow in May 2019. Preliminary findings were presented at the Conference in Gothenburg. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Three C: Creating and Sustaining Charcoal value chains to promote a circular carbon economy |
| Organisation | European Union |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Research grant (including intramural programme) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Project Partner |
| Impact | Only just started so no outcomes yet |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Title | Filing for plant variety protection for four (additional) Miscanthus seed based hybrids and agreement of licensing terms (IBERS, Aberyswyth) |
| Description | We have filed for four additional Miscanthus varieties (8 in total) and in addition agreed a licensing arrangement for them with Terravesta. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | These varieties are currently being trialed on farms in the UK and also at multiple locations in Europe. This is still the beginning of a new seed based Miscanthus industry in UK/ Europe and a number of companies have been involved in the application and modification of existing technologies to make the new agronomies possible. A research highlight is currently being written with UKRI-BBSRC to describe the research leading up to this impact. |
| Title | Supergen bioenergy app |
| Description | A pilot bioenergy app for the Supergen bioenergy hub for use as an engagement tool at events and conferences providing a mechanism to promote Supergen research and gain comments and questions from app users. It provides information on bioenergy as a low carbon renewable energy technology, information on bioenergy technologies and feedstocks, sustainability, social and economic impacts. |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | None as yet - the app has been developed and is being tested prior to release. |
| Company Name | Bioataraxis LTD |
| Description | Bioataraxis: developing a key substance used in cleaning products (surfactant) that is made from 100% plant-based waste and performs as well as petrochemical-based alternatives. This is a spin-out that is based on Supergen activities at imperial College. Hemicellulose valorisation to value-added products was a core aim of TG2, and we have produced a new spin-out to commercialize furan-based surfactants. Some of the commercial partnerships came through Supergen events. |
| Year Established | 2022 |
| Impact | Some of the commercial partnerships came through Supergen events. |
| Website | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/233898/fifteen-businesses-receive-support-from-the/ |
| Company Name | Lixea Ltd |
| Description | Lixea® is developing an innovative biomass fractionation process using low-cost ionic liquids. Currently, our society is heavily relying on the use of crude oil while products are discarded at the end of their lives. We want to change that, which is why we are developing novel chemical processes that enable us to live more sustainably in a clean world. Our first product is the Dendronic process that uses waste wood, agricultural by-products and sustainably grown biomass to produce a greener alternative to today's petrochemical industry while providing unwanted waste materials with a new purpose. |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | Lixea is not a Supergen spin-out (est. 2017, so it cannot be), however the activities within Supergen have had a significant impact on Lixea's development activities, especially within the UK. The research and researcher (Pedro Verdia) were applied to the BBNet-funded project WasteWood2Paper, to demonstrate Lixea's technology of cellulose production from waste wood could be applied to the paper industry. The resulting £50k proof-of-concept project has led to 4 commercial partnerships involving FibreLean, James Cropper, Lixea and DyeRecycle (see below). Lixea has also furthered development work with UK-based Quorn on cellulosic sugars, in part through Supergen-led activities in networking. |
| Website | https://www.lixea.co/ |
| Description | "The Conversation: I Need to Know series - What is needed to tackle the climate emergency, and who is responsible? (Republished globally)" - Patricia Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "The Conversation: I Need to Know series - What is needed to tackle the climate emergency, and who is responsible?" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/what-is-needed-to-tackle-the-climate-emergency-and-who-is-responsible-12... |
| Description | (online rescheduled from a physical) Visit by the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association (WOTGA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation given to the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association (WOTGA) CPD session on the topic "Everything you ever wanted to know about grass and were afraid to ask!" which was an overview of IBERS science and the impact of its work on the Welsh landscape from forage grasses, clovers and oats through to elephant grass. This was going to be a physical visit to Gogerddan but was rescheduled to be online following the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation "The future of bioenergy in Sub-Saharan Africa" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | 9th GBEP Bioenergy Week 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Enabling positive sustainability trade-offs from rice straw biogas, 9th GBEP Bioenergy Week 2022 Paraguay |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | A multi-modal, multi-actor, multi-level approach is needed for net zero governance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Alison Mohr and Mirjam Röder recently collaborated to submit a response to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee Call for Evidence on Net Zero Governance. This blog explores some of the key points from our evidence submission that highlights both governance challenges and opportunities as we strive to transition to net zero. Considering the crucial decisions on the collective actions needed to effectively and equitably address the impacts of climate change recently negotiated at COP26, getting the governance right will be critical to achieving net zero and securing a sustainable future for all. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/a-multi-modal-multi-actor-multi-level-approach-is-needed-for-net-... |
| Description | A question of sustainability |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | he Supergen Bioenergy Hub recently collaborated with the Carbon Recycling Network, the Biomass Biorefinery Network, and the High Value Biorenewables Network (three of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB)) to submit a joint response to a Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Call for Evidence on The Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero. The responses to the Call for Evidence will inform the development of the new UK biomass strategy, which is due to be published in 2022. This is the third in our 'Biomass for net zero?' blog series exploring some of the key points from our evidence submission. As we get closer to COP26, the series will also highlight some of the challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the potential of biomass systems to support the transition to net zero. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/a-question-of-sustainability/ |
| Description | Asia and renewable energy - the only viable option for a sustainable future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article in Bioenergy Insight highlighting the relevance of the project activities adn leading to further discussion with commercial sector on bioenergy development opportunities in the global south |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Aston Angle - Urgent tree planting and agricultural policy reform needed to achieve zero greenhouse gases by 2050 - circulated to policymakers and key stakeholders Patricia Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Climate change has been unusually prominent recently. Greta Thunberg has captured public imagination with her campaign, the Committee on Climate Change has said that UK government action is far behind what is needed and demonstrators have mobilised action on the streets of London to demand more from their politicians. The UK Parliament has declared a 'climate change emergency' and passed a net zero bill to bring all greenhouse gases (GHG's) to zero by 2050. Interestingly, the West Midlands Combined Authority has just set its own regional target of net zero by 2041. That would give some hope of limiting the global temperature rise to 2 degrees celsius, but almost all ways of achieving net zero involve the 'unicorn' in the room - 'net negative emission technologies'. While renewable electricity has been increasing in the UK and globally, transport emissions have been stubbornly stagnant (improvements in vehicle performance have been at best offset by increases in utilisation) and heat for industrial and domestic use remains a major challenge. And that is just the energy sector. Our waste processing, food production and manufacturing sectors all produce greenhouse gases as well. Some of these can never be fully eliminated: soil and life on earth will always produce some emissions, so, how can we get to 'zero GHG emissions'? |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www2.aston.ac.uk/news/?urgent-tree-planting-and-agricultural-policy-reform |
| Description | Aston Originals Interview / Broadcast - What might energy systems look like in a net-zero world? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | What might energy systems look like in a net zero world? Aston University's Professor Patricia Thornley, Dr Joanna Sparks, Dr Katie Chong and Dan Taylor discuss energy and sustainability ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. On 4 November during 'Energy Day' at COP26, the six UK Research and Innovation Supergen Hubs are hosting a 'fishbowl' conversation with the public, to develop and interrogate visions for a net zero energy future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiVNPZXXGe4 |
| Description | BBC Interview on World Service - Patricia Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with the BBC for World Service. They will be talking about managing waste, turning it into electricity, turning it into hydrogen and turning it into aviation fuels, including climate and environmental emission concerns. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172wx93swtyz7p |
| Description | BEIS Biomass Sustainability workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A number of Supergen Bioenergy Hub researchers were invited to take part in an online workshop run by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on biomass sustainability, which was convened to inform policy and the upcoming UK Biomass Strategy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Bio-based chemicals ongoing engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In November 2021, BEIS' Biomass Policy Statement indicated the potential of bio-based chemicals and products to support environmental targets was not well understood. The Biomass Policy fellow worked across SBH and NIBB's to convene academic and industrial expertise and addressed initial information requests with a short report on potential chemicals and technologies, which led to ongoing discussions with BEIS. We are close to completing a more detailed report that reviews LCA data and evidence for a range of bio-based chemicals. This information has already been shared with BEIS analysts, who used it in an internal report, acknowledging our input has increased understanding of the area for policy makers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | BioLPG roundtable with Liquid Gas UK SME members |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A roundtable event to discuss opportunities for SMEs from Liquid Gas UK trade association to transition to bio-derived LPG (liquid petroleum gas), our researchers provided an overview of our work and activities, the opportunities for bioLPG in the UK, and information and advice on entering the renewables market. We are providing follow-up information for the companies and are in discussion with Liquid Gas UK on a secondment opportunity for an early career researcher. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Biodiversity and Climate Change COPs - where does bioenergy fit in? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | You wait a year for one COP and then two come along together! Autumn 2021 marks the arrival of international meetings that have the potential to shape how society deals with two of the most pressing issues that it faces - the loss of biodiversity and climate change. Starting on 11 October is the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention of Biological Diversity. This meeting, and a subsequent one early next year, will see the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework for the "conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems" to 2030 and beyond. Later in the month COP26, held jointly between the UK and Italy, will ask countries to come forward with emission reduction targets that will keep the global ambition of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees within reach, and to take actions to limit the impact that the already changing climate will have on them in the future. Although these conferences are being held independently, there is increasing recognition that our ability to achieve the goals of either one is inextricably linked to the success of the other. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/biodiversity-and-climate-change-cops-where-does-bioenergy-fit-in/ |
| Description | Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage: examining commercial implementation pathways and innovation needs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The UK has significant academic expertise in bioenergy (Supergen Bioenergy Hub) and CCS (UKCCSRC), which provide centres of scientific and engineering knowledge that can support industrial deployment. This meeting explored some possible BECCS futures for the UK, the pathways to those futures and the skills and innovation needs that consequently arise in the BECCS area. We heard from leading industrialists on their plans and discussed possible trajectories for UK development, identifying any skills and knowledge gaps or deficiencies where the academic research community could provide support to facilitate BECCS deployment. The aim was to make a start in identifying key priority areas, which can then be progressed by appropriate industrial-academic collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Biogas from rice straw |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | workshop with academics, NGOs and third sector organisations discussing bioenergy production in the Philippines adn S.E. Asia leading to new resaerch collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Biomass Policy Statement - expert discussion with BEIS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | After their publication of the Biomass Policy Statement in November 2021, policy makers in the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) requested a meeting with researchers from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub to get their expert input and discuss key topics for the development of the UK Biomass Strategy. Policy makers made requests for researchers to share evidence on particular topics following the meeting, and plans were made for follow up discussions in a number of areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Blog - Are Biofuels the Answer to Kick-Start Decarbonisation in the Shipping Sector? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In this blog, Dr Andrew Welfle, based in Tyndall Manchester and part of the national Supergen Bioenergy Hub, looks at the current state of the global shipping sector and how it can look towards decarbonisation through a commitment to the use of biofuels. The trade and movement of goods and resources is the engine that drives global economic growth and with it prosperity. Shipping represents the life blood of this process, where over 50,000 ships are key to the movement of around 90% of world trade. The growing shipping sector is calculated to be responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and these are forecast to rise by between 50% and 250% by 2050 as the sector grows to facilitate global trade. The shipping sector regards biofuels as a potential pathway to make near-term advances in decarbonising current fleets, as current ships could be rapidly retrofitted and new ships built relatively easily and cost effectively to operate on biofuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/energy_environment/2019/10/are-biofuels-the-answer-to-kick-start... |
| Description | Build your own biorefinery game, Exhibition stand in COP26 Green Zone First floor, Glasgow Science Centre 4 November, 10am-5pm |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Also during Energy Day at COP26, the Supergen Bioenergy Hub hosted a 'Build your own biorefinery' game on the COP26 Universities Network exhibition stand within the Green Zone. Members of the public were invited to create their own biorefinery using our interactive book demonstrating the many routes to producing bioenergy and bioproducts and the co-benefits that can be achieved through different choices. The Supergen Bioenergy Hub team, including Director Professor Patricia Thornley, were also on hand to talk to participants and answer any questions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | CEREALS 2019: 12-13 June 2019 (Iain Donnison) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Aberystwyth's IBERS MUST team joined Terravesta Ltd. on the stand for both days. An important outcome was the engagement of stakeholders in different parts of the biomass value chain. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.cerealsevent.co.uk/ |
| Description | Chaired and led a discussion on net zero at the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chaired and led a discussion on net zero at the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference "What might Welsh agriculture look like in the zero-carbon society of 2050?" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Challenges for delivering sustainable domestic supply of biomass to support net zero |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub recently collaborated with the Carbon Recycling Network, the Biomass Biorefinery Network, and the High Value Biorenewables Network (three of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB)) to submit a joint response to a Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Call for Evidence on The Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero. The responses to the Call for Evidence will inform the development of the new UK Biomass strategy, which is due to be published in 2022. This is the first in our "Biomass for net zero?" blog series exploring some of the key points from our evidence submission. As we get closer to COP26, the series will also highlight some of the challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the potential of biomass systems to support the transition to net zero. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/challenges-for-delivering-sustainable-domestic-supply-of-biomass-... |
| Description | Chocolate to power our cars? Not so crazy an idea after all |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This suggestion, made by schoolchildren to Alok Sharma MP as part of the National Grid's Voices for a Green Future competition ahead of COP26, is not as outlandish as it seems. The waste residues from chocolate production can be processed into a fuel to power cars as well as other forms of transport, while also providing benefits for rural communities in developing countries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/chocolate-to-power-our-cars-not-so-crazy-an-idea-after-all/ |
| Description | Conference - Building a sustainable European biofuel industry, Gothenburg, Nov 19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The conference, organised jointly by Supergen Bioenergy Hub (UK), Bio4Fuels (Norway) and Renewable Transportation and Fuels (Sweden), focused on the key objective of sustainable biofuel implementation prospects in Norway, Sweden and the UK. It brought together researchers, industry specialists and policymakers to review the status of bioenergy deployment, analyse the future of sustainable biofuel production and use in Europe and connect sectorial expertise, with a view to supporting sustainable biofuel production and greenhouse gas mitigation. The organisers recognise that industry, policy and research co-align along common interests and objectives, and through this conference, they sought to facilitate networking, bridge gaps across different research and business areas, connect parts of the biofuel production value chain, and work together across country borders. The conference programme included: Early career researcher forum Site visit Speaker presentations Poster presentations The conference is supported by a special issue of the journal Biomass and Bioenergy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/conference/programme/ |
| Description | Conference and workshop - Chris Hardacre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to LIKAT, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock, Germany |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Cross Supergen hub ECR webinar (presentations by Nathan Skillen and Jorge Ordovas) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A webinar facilitated across the ORE, Networks, Bioenergy, Super-solar and Energy Storage Hubs to encourage collaboration and cross-fertilization of ideas between ECRs from the different networks |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/supergen-programme-early-career-researchers-cross-hub-webin... |
| Description | Cross Supergen hub ECR webinar (wellbeing and home working) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event organised across the Supergen Hubs - ORE, Networks, Bioenergy, Super-Solar and Energy Storage - to support ECRs with well-being and home-working during the Covid-19 lockdown period |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/supergen-early-career-researchers-cross-hub-webinar-series-... |
| Description | Defra Biomass Policy Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A number of Supergen Bioenergy Hub researchers were invited to take part in an online workshop run by the Department for Farming, Environment, and Rural Affairs (Defra) on biomass (barriers to planting biomass crops, co-benefits and ecosystem services, etc). Defra convened this workshop to inform their future thinking and policy development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ECR Net Zero Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | • Expert panel: "COP27 - Reflections and actions" ECR Net Zero Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | EPSRC's Engineering Net Zero Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Enabling positive sustainability trade-offs from rice straw biogas, Net zero governance in a post-COP26 world, EPSRC's Engineering Net Zero Week, 21-23 June 2022, Glasgow |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | EPSRC's Engineering Net Zero Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Expert panel: "Lifecycle and Embodied Emissions Considerations for Net Zero", EPSRC's Engineering Net Zero Week, 21-23 June 2022, Glasgow |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | ERA Low Carbon Gases Webinar - chaired by P Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This two hour webinar explores the role that low carbon gases can play in the UK's future energy system. • What are the latest technologies? • What are the potential applications for these technologies? • What are the challenges that need to be overcome? • How can businesses and universities work together This webinar is being led by Professor Patricia Thornley, Director of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University and leader of the national EPSRC Supergen Bioenergy Hub. Patricia will be joined by other experts from industry and academia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.era.ac.uk/Events/era-big-ideas-series-alternative-fuels-low-carbon-gases-2nd-june-2020/1... |
| Description | Early career researchers delivering net zero energy research Blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | At the Supergen energy research programme we are focused on supporting our early career researchers who are delivering the research we need to reach net zero. We have been engaging early career researchers (ECRs) from multidisciplinary backgrounds across the six Supergen hubs focusing on: offshore renewables hydrogen bioenergy solar energy networks energy storage. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/blog/early-career-researchers-delivering-net-zero-energy-research/ |
| Description | Engagement on alternative aviation fuels in Washington - |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A half day engagement activity on alternative aviation fuels in Washington, USA following the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) meeting between industry, academia and policymakers. The engagement was to build understanding and links between UK, USA and Canada. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Engagement with Bibby Marine on decarbonisation activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing discussion and engagement with Bibby Marine on decarbonising their marine barges in Indonesia and Mozambique. Future work may include a feasibility study on waste processing and alternative fuels for the barges. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Engagement with NFU local and national vice-president (Iain Donnison, Aberystwyth) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with NFU local farmers and representatives and the UK national vice-president (Stuart Roberts) to discuss food and farming including agricultural education and careers with early career researchers and in a panel session discussion with final year students. Further plans were discussed in relation to a public lecture on the future of food as part of the 100 years of plant breeding in Aberystwyth in late March in 2019, which will have a larger public and total engagement. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Engagement with RNLI on decarbonisation activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing discussion and engagement on decarbonisation projects. Future work may include a feasibility study on the potential carbon savings that could be achieved by RNLI. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Evening talk and discussion at the Wales Real Food & Farming Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An Evening talk and discussion at the Wales Real Food & Farming Conference on "How can we make Wales a productive landscape in the 21st century? Lessons from the agricultural pioneers Thomas Johnes and George Stapledon". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Exhibition stand EUBCE (European Biomass Conference and Exhibition) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Exhibition stand EUBCE (European Biomass Conference and Exhibition) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Expert discussion with Defra on Ecosystem services |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Regular meetings with policy makers allowed Defra to communicate evidence gaps around ecosystem impacts of bioenergy crops and SBH to respond with academic expertise. We convened online sessions where SBH experts reviewed evidence, discussed with Defra and addressed additional questions. We are turning key topics into a Policy Briefing for the SBH website. "Defra's Biomass team has engaged with Supergen on a regular basis. Supergen have consistently provided useful guidance, and have been able to connect us with highly knowledgeable academics on a broad range of biomass-related topics. This has helped to inform our early thinking and policy development on the potential role that perennial energy crops and short rotation forestry could play in meeting UK carbon budgets, whilst simultaneously delivering other ecosystem benefits." Follow up discussions led to a Supergen researcher being commissioned to carry out further work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Facebook dissemination of publication details - Southampton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Promotion of activities carried out in the Environmental Lab of Southampton including details of the successful publications |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.facebook.com/environmental.lab.university.of.southampton/posts/1564533657041086 |
| Description | Flex Funding Webinar: Algae |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The final session in our Flexible Funding Webinar Series took place on 28 Sep 2020 between 14:00-15:30 BST and explored priorities for a call around algae and marine feedstocks. The webinar included presentations from several speakers that covered topics such as macro and micro algae, seaweed bioenergy and biorefining marine plants. The webinar was held in support of our call for proposals for two Flexible Funding Projects worth £100,000 launching at the start of October. The full schedule for the webinar is below and a recording is available on YouTube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/flexible-funding-webinar-series-dives-into-marine-feedstocks... |
| Description | Flex Funding Webinar: Anaerobic Digestion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The second session in our Flexible Funding Webinar Series took place on 23 Sep 2020 between 10:00-12:00 BST and explored priorities for a call around anaerobic digestion. The webinar included presentations from speakers across industry and academia that covered topics such as energy from waste, anaerobic processes and the circular economy. The webinar was held in support of our call for proposals for two Flexible Funding Projects worth £100,000 launching at the start of October. The full schedule for the webinar is below and a recording is available on YouTube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/flexible-funding-webinar-series-focuses-priorities-on-anaero... |
| Description | Flex Funding Webinar: Land Use |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The first session in our Flexible Funding Webinar Series took place on 9 Sep 2020 between 14:30-16:00 BST and explored priorities for a call around land use. The aim of the session was to inform participants of upcoming funding opportunities. The webinar included presentations from nine different speakers that covered topics such as bioenergy production on marginal and contaminated land, phytoremediation and biorefinery, and policies and governance for biomass, bioenergy and land use. The webinar was held in support of our call for proposals for two Flexible Funding Projects worth £100,000 launching at the start of October. The full schedule for the webinar is below and a recording is available on YouTube |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/flexible-funding-webinar-series-begins-by-exploring-prioriti... |
| Description | Food and Farming Futures / NFU Seminar: institutional frameworks to support a world-leading farming and food industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Event to discuss "Do we have the right institutional framework in place to support a world-leading farming and food industry to deliver the ever-challenging needs of society?" The seminar built on the thinking of a recent industry-wide discussion reflecting that UK agriculture faces an unprecedented opportunity to take the driving seat for delivering society's needs; producing healthy food that helps to tackle the rise in diet-related human diseases, whilst protecting our precious environmental resources and which also helps to mitigate climate change, soil health, water and air quality. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | GBEP webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk at GEBP webinar on bioenergy deployment and community engagement in Asia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | GHGs from energy crops - expert discussion with BEIS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub convened a meeting of policy makers from Defra and BEIS and a small group of experts from its research community. The purpose of this online discussion was to address questions from policy makers that had been coming up on greenhouse gas emissions associated with production of different energy crops, and indirect land use change from biomass. Policy makers reported that this was a useful meeting, asked for the evidence discussed to be shared, and asked for further information on a number of key points. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Glastonbury Festival - Stall with activities relating to the circular bioeconomy. Rob Holland, Southampton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Stall with activities relating to the circular bioeconomy where we distribute Bioenergy Comics to people who take part in the activities. General awareness raising of issues around bioenergy and the circular bioeconomy. Actively talking about our science with the general public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/UoS_bioeconomy/status/1145324570771107841 |
| Description | Green Party Conference Stand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Supergen had a stand at the conference as well as presenting in a conference seminar and organising a tour of EBRI facilities for delegates |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Hosted visit from NFU on Net Zero Agriculture at IBERS Aberystwyth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hosted a visit from a senior NFU team on their target for agriculture to be Net Zero by 2040. IBERS, including Core Strategic Programme (CSP) Science, was presented to describe how emissions can be decreased from ruminant livestock agriculture and what options there are for diversification into negative emission farming. The discussions included IBERS staff from all four CSP sub-programmes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | How UK plantations can help mitigate the climate crisis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Patricia Thornley, Director of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, responds to Patrick Barkham's article in The Guardian on 10 March 2020: Trees on commercial UK plantations 'not helping climate crisis'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/how-uk-plantations-can-contribute-to-climate-crisis-mitigation/ |
| Description | Hub Annual Assembly |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Updating the community on research developments within the Hub. This year our Annual Assembly took place online, due to the ongoing situation around Covid-19, showcasing the Hub's latest work in areas ranging from sustainability frameworks, thermal conversion technologies, hydrogen and biomass feedstocks. Over 180 colleagues, partners and stakeholders from industry, policy and academia came together to discuss the UK biomass strategy, opportunities for collaboration and development, and how bioenergy can play a key role in the path to net zero. In addition to hearing from Hub researchers on the latest work in their Topic Groups, we welcomed an array of external speakers to provide valuable industry and policy perspectives on our research areas, which can be found below in the summary of the assembly programme and accompanying links to recordings of each session. A copy of the full assembly programme can be found online at the URL below. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-bioenergy-hub-annual-assembly-2020-focuses-on-the-u... |
| Description | Hydrogen Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The aim of the workshop is to draw together experts in hydrogen from our network around a series of knowledge gaps and challenges, which will be outlined at the beginning of the session by a member of the Hydrogen Economy Team at BEIS, with a view to producing a report which helps with evidence provision in response to future consultations. Speakers from BEIS and Topic Group 3 - (McManus and Cooper) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Industrial Decarbonisation Research & Innovation Centre (IDRIC) Ideas Factory workshop (Iain Donnison) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Attended the Industrial Decarbonisation Research & Innovation Centre (IDRIC) Ideas Factory workshop at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. Engaged with a number of industrial clusters on how urban and rural decarbonisation strategies can be linked up. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://idric.org/events/ |
| Description | Innovating to solve the net zero puzzle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub recently collaborated with the Carbon Recycling Network, the Biomass Biorefinery Network, and the High Value Biorenewables Network (three of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB)) to submit a joint response to a Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Call for Evidence on The Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero. The responses to the Call for Evidence will inform the development of the new UK biomass strategy, which is due to be published in 2022. This is the third in our 'Biomass for net zero?' blog series exploring some of the key points from our evidence submission. As we get closer to COP26, the series will also highlight some of the challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the potential of biomass systems to support the transition to net zero. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/innovating-to-solve-the-net-zero-puzzle/ |
| Description | Input to Energy Systems Catapult Workshop on Biofuels, AV Bridgwater, Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Input to workshop on how UK should develop and introduce biofuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Maximising bioenergy sustainability, Keynote, International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries, 1-3 June 2022, Bruges |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | International Low-carbon combustion conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Maximising bioenergy sustainability, Keynote, International Low-carbon combustion conference, 5-6 April 2022, Cambridge |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interview for Power Technology News item on Power generation in India - P Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Interview and comment for news article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.power-technology.com/features/power-generation-in-india/ |
| Description | Joint Webinar with Catalysis Hub |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The first joint webinar held by the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the UK Catalysis Hub ran on 6 August and explored the role of catalysis in delivering sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts, through efficient biomass conversions. The webinar comprised of two sessions of presentations from researchers of both Hubs covering the areas of catalytic conversion technologies, pre-treatment of biomass, through to conversion of carbon dioxide, solar fuel cells and waste valorisation. A recording of the event is available on YouTube (see URL link below). Chris Hardacre (University of Manchester) from the UK Catalysis Hub and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub chaired the first session, and Katie Chong (Aston University) from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub chaired the second session, both moderating questions and encouraging cross-hub discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/joint-webinar-explores-the-role-of-catalysis-in-delivering-s... |
| Description | Joint workshop with IEA Bioenergy Task 33 on waste gasification |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop jointly organised by Supergen Bioenergy Hub and IEA TAsk 33 to address UK interest in Waste gasification. Gasification is a technology that is widely applied for the production of heat and power. Many developments focus on utilizing low-quality feedstocks in order to improve business cases, as well as providing solutions for emerging problems. Waste (biogenic) is a major global challenge today, especially waste containing plastic. As incineration and land-filling becomes more and more unpopular, gasification is gaining momentum and the number of solution providers in this area is growing. Furthermore, waste gasification is more complex than using clean biomass, and therefore requires new R&D. This IEA Bioenergy Task 33 workshop will give companies an opportunity to present their solutions and explain what makes the market work for them. There will also be a number of presentations on recent and required efforts in R&D. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.ieabioenergy.com/ieaevent/workshop-on-waste-gasification/ |
| Description | Launch Event for new network Andrew Welfle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | DecarboN8 Network Launch Event in Leeds. Promotion of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and our activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Launch of biogas pilot plant, Philippines |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Launch event at biogas pilot facility in Philippines was attended by the general public, policy makers, goverment officials, farmers, local industry, schools adn national media increasing the interest in rice straw utilisation for biogas production and renewable energy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Loughborough Flex Funding project - Workshop on The Future of Renewable Energy & Fuels: Academia-Industry Dialogue |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop on The Future of Renewable Energy & Fuels: Academia-Industry Dialogue, Networking and promotion of Supergen |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | LowCVP Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Webinar held to summarise research findings from Rapid Repsonse project with LCVP and to support the release of the report. See link below and in the publications section |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/new-supergen-bioenergy-hub-report-assesses-sustainability-st... |
| Description | Maritime Decarbonisation Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub, alongside the Supergen Energy Storage Network+ and Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, hosted a workshop on the 25 January that brought together their academic networks, policymakers and industry around the challenges and opportunities presented by maritime decarbonisation. The Supergen Hubs were joined by the UK Department for Transport who outlined the critical role that the decarbonisation of shipping has to play in the UK's ability to meet net zero targets, and highlighted details of the upcoming Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), which aims to promote the deployment of clean maritime technologies and zero emission vessels. Patricia Thornley (Director, Supergen Bioenergy Hub), Deborah Greaves (Director, Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub), Yulong Ding (Director, Supergen Energy Storage Network+) and Antzela Fivga (Project Manager, Supergen Energy Storage Network+) then presented on behalf of their respective Hubs, outlining how their objectives align with the opportunities they see to decarbonise the maritime sector. Following the Hub presentations, we heard from Ben Murray, Director of Maritime UK, who was able to provide a crucial overview of the sector and the opportunities for collaboration as the CMDC progresses. The second half of the workshop was dedicated to an insightful panel discussion between the Hub Directors, Ben Murray (Maritime UK), Tony Roskilly (University of Durham) and Tristan Smith (University College London), chaired by Mirjam Röder (Aston University) which centred on a series of questions: What would be the transition and possible timeline for the maritime sector, considering the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, but also in line with 2025/2035/2050 net zero targets? What would be feasible technologies delivering short-term goals but also still enabling and allowing further change, development, transition and potentially flexibility in the medium and long term? Are there any specifications and characteristics for energy/fuel generation and provision, also in terms of capacity and flexibility? What is needed, and feasible, in terms of emissions benchmarks and frameworks for accounting and reporting, also considering international activities? What policy and governance frameworks are needed to enable decarbonisation and technology innovation? By bringing academia together around the challenge of decarbonising maritime, the workshop has served to create a network of academic expertise open to collaboration on the upcoming CMDC and has demonstrated how research can aid the maritime sector to achieve its decarbonisation targets. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-programme-explores-the-decarbonisation-of-energy-in... |
| Description | Mass-Energy Balance Model Demonstration Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Mass energy Balance was demonstrated to an engaged audience |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Meeting with DfT |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Consultation with Advanced Fuels team in DfT to discuss the SAF aspect of their new advanced fuels policy. Discussed life cycle emissions, credits and how we can best model emissions and incentivise industry to produce fuels and decarbonise. Will continue to work with them on their policy development, providing input until publication. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Modelling impacts of agricultural development on biodiversity and people. R Holland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | October-November 2020. Collaboration on development of methods for addressing relationships between biodiversity and people, with a particular focus on improvement of integrated assessment models. Three-day workshop was held from which two funding bids were submitted. Collaborators included Universities of York, Birmingham, Leeds, Aberdeen, and internationally the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Liaison with Bio4Fuels Network and participation in online conference in April 2020 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop on Microalgae biotechnology for biofuel production and enviornmental application, National University of Ireland, Galway |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Online workshop on Microalgae biotechnology for biofuel production and enviornmental application, National University of Ireland, Galway. "Integrating AD with algae-assisted biogas purification and HTC of digestate" on 20th May 2022. From Radu Flex Funding project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Oral presentation UK Catalysis Conference, Manchester Catalysis Team |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | L Lan gave presentation on : Effect of ball-milling pre-treatment of cellulose on its photoreforming for H2 production. 8th UK Catalysis Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Panel Discussion - Climate Change - Evidence Gaps and Research Priorities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Environment Evidence 2020 - Resilience in the Welsh Uplands. Panel Discussion - Climate Change - Evidence Gaps and Research Priorities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Photo competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Supergen Bioenergy Hub ran a photo competition in August 2022 for real-life photos from your world of bioenergy. The photos were displayed at the Supergen Bioenergy Hub Showcase in September. https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/photo-competition-your-bioenergy-story/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/photo-competition-your-bioenergy-story |
| Description | Plenary presentation at European Biomass Conference and Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Plenary presentation on BECCS at European Biomass Conference and Exhibition |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Podcast - Andrew Welfle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Podcast recording for Manchester Energy, focusing on bioenergy. Promotion of the Supergen Bioenergy Network. NB Not yet broadcast. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Podcast delving into the climate benefits and pollution worries related to wood-burning stoves. P Thornley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview and contribution to podcast on "Wood-burning stoves: air pollution and climate impact" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqU2vD1Khjw |
| Description | Policy engagement training/ workshop for early career researchers ( Policy engagement for early career researchers: the biomass strategy and beyond) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Online workshop "Policy engagement for early career researchers: the biomass strategy and beyond" held for early career researchers (ECRs) from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, along with the Biomass Biorefinery Network, the High Value Biorenewables Network, and the Carbon Recycling Network. After an introduction to policy engagement and tips for engaging, ECRs took part in discussions of key policy areas for the networks involved, which helped to inform future policy work. A number of ECRs registered interest in being involved with policy engagement in the future and have been/ will be involved in policy engagement activities such as consultation responses or meetings as a result. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Poster and presentation at EUBCE conference, K Chong Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | EUBCE presentation - results of Supergen Flexible Funding project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation EUBCE, 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | presentation on biomass from contaminated land |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation and Visit to Stellenbosch University, K Chong Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Presentation during visit to raise awareness of Supergen Bieonegry Hub |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at Advanced Propulsion Centre Transport Energy Network - Cross sector roadmapping Workshop - M Roeder, Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at Advanced Propulsion Centre Transport Energy Network - Cross sector roadmapping Workshop on behalf of Supergen Bioenergy Hub |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transport-energy-network-cross-sector-roadmapping-workshops-tickets-6... |
| Description | Presentation at European Biomass Conference & Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | oral presentation " Feasibility of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) under the UK's net-zero emission target" at the European Biomass Conference & Exhibition 2020 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Presentation at European Biomass Conference and Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | presentation on Bioenergy in international development and global south |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation at FERF Biomass and waste workshop, K Chong Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on Promotion of the Supergen Network |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at KTN Industrial Waste Gases Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joanna Sparks (Policy Fellow for the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Biomass Biorefinery Network, High Value Biorenewables Network, and Carbon Recycling Network) was invited to give a presentation at this event. The presentation was titled "Understanding and enabling the potential of biological systems for CO2 utilisation". This event was run by the KTN and aimed at bringing together those with an interest in CO2 utilisation. Useful discussion followed the presentation, which helped to inform a report KTN were working on in the area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at KTN bioeconomy cluster builder event on biorefineries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joanna Sparks (Policy Fellow for the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Biomass Biorefinery Network, High Value Biorenewables Network, and Carbon Recycling Network) was invited to give a presentation at this event. The presentation was titled " Policy engagement for the bioeconomy" and reflected on the policy engagement work carried out by Joanna and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the NIBB, especially around bio-based chemicals. Feedback from the meeting was good, and Joanna had follow up discussions with one academic researcher and with the head of sustainability from BASF as a result, both of whom expressed a desire to join/ get involved with the three NIBB and SBH moving forwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at Pint of Science event - K Chong, Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Raising awareness of bioenergy and research issues. Presentation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/a-climate-of-mass-destruction |
| Description | Presentation at Resilience in the Welsh Uplands - An Evidence Perspective (Environment Evidence 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at Resilience in the Welsh Uplands - An Evidence Perspective (Environment Evidence 2020) on the topic of "Reshaping the Welsh landscape to achieve potential of upland agriculture under current and future climate". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://pure.aber.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/res%20haping-the-welsh-landscape-to-achieve-potential... |
| Description | Presentation at Transforming Energy Access: Innovations towards SDG 7; Dr K Chong, Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Policymakers event. Presented on and promoted Supergen Bioenergy Hub |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transforming-energy-access-innovations-towards-sdg-7-tickets-54354085... |
| Description | Presentation at Workshop - Andrew Welfle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at the International Maritime Organisation about potential availability of feedstocks for alternative fuels |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joanna Sparks (Policy Fellow for the Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Biomass Biorefinery Network, High Value Biorenewables Network, and Carbon Recycling Network) gave an oral presentation titled "Bridging the gap between policy and science to enable the net zero benefits of the bioeconomy". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation at the Royal Society Sustainable Aviation Fuel workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented data about life cycle emissions for bio based SAF. This was part of a workshop to engage policy, industry and academics in the lead up to a Royal Society Policy Document in the subject. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Public Lecture 2 October - Jason Hallett |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public lecture including information about the work being done in Supergen. It has led to general awareness raising and also some connections for a project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Public fishbowl conversation: What might energy systems look like in a net zero world? Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow, 4 November |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | During 'Energy Day' at COP26, participants were invited to join the six UK Research and Innovation Supergen Hubs in a 'fishbowl' conversation to give their ideas and thoughts in helping to develop and interrogate visions for a net zero energy future focused on Supergen research. The event was participant-driven, with participants representing a range of public, private and Higher Education Institutions, enabling multiple perspectives to be heard. The conversation was structured around the themes below, and Supergen academics were on-hand to join in the conversation: Chapter 1: How do we generate our energy in a net zero world? Chapter 2: How do we deliver that net zero energy to the public? Chapter 3: How do we utilise that net zero energy? Chapter 4: What steps should the UK be taking to make our energy system net zero by 2050? An updated recording of the live stream will be available shortly or you can watch the full live stream here: What might net zero energy systems look like? A Supergen fishbowl debate live from COP26 in Glasgow - YouTube |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMffNGEXcOQ |
| Description | Publicity at government event in November at House of Lords - Jason Hallett |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Publicity at a government event in November |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | REA transport working group - Dr K Chong, Aston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Member of transport working group for REA Bioenergy Strategy. Ensuring that the research community is represented in the strategy document |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Radio Documentary for BBC World Series - Andrew Welfle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC World Sevice Documentary, provided interview discussing the potential role of bioenergy in decarbonising aviation. NB This has not yet been broadcast, but has been recorded. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Research visit NTNU, Trondheim |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering Science invited EDI seminar, NTNU, 2022, Trondheim |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Rice growing produces tonnes of excess straw - can we turn it into 'bioenergy'? - The Conversation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | blog post at the converation leading to discussion with industry as well as resulting in additional media activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/rice-growing-produces-tonnes-of-excess-straw-can-we-turn-it-into-bioener... |
| Description | Royal Welsh Show: 22 July 2019 - Iain Donnison / IBERS team |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Royal Welsh is a very large event with a strong outreach to the public as well as those involved in the sector. Discussions between stands were ongoing, and have led to important Welsh policy links. Discussed climate change mitigation through plants and also the potential of energy crops in farm diversification for energy, building materials, chemicals and animal bedding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://rwas.wales/royal-welsh/ |
| Description | Rushlight Summer Showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | presenting R2B project at Rushlight Summer Showcase |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | SHARE Network Media Skills Training event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop organised by the SHARE ECR Network within Supergen Bioenergy Hub to deliver training in media skills and filming techniques to assist ECRs with the promotion of their research results |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | SHARE Workshop - BA Future of Flying Call |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Workshop for the SHARE ECR Network regarding upcoming call for proposals on Future of Flying - to encourage proposal preparation, sharing of ideas and networking |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | STMW Seminar on Renewable Fuel Gases, SHV Energy and Supergasbras |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | UK Supergen Bioenergy Hub. A scope for collaboration with Brazil, STMW Seminar on Renewable Fuel Gases, SHV Energy and Supergasbras, 10-11 October 2022, Rio de Janeiro |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | School visits and outreach with schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Outreach workshops with school kids in UK, India, Philippines, Rwanda on Bioenergy and energy futures as part of Global Bioenergy Stories |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Secondment Networking Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We organised an event where industrial partners could introduce themselves and present any opportunities / ideas that could form a secondment placement for ECR researchers. 7 companies presented and then individual researchers were able to book appointments to talk to companies in more details if interested. The event led to 4 successful secondment applications / placements with industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Soil Carbon Expert Discussion with Defra and BEIS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub convened a meeting of policy makers from Defra and BEIS and a small group of experts from its research community. The purpose of this online discussion was to address questions from policy makers that had been coming up on soil carbon/ carbon pools linked to energy crops. Supergen researchers presented evidence with a focus on addressing key questions that policy makers had sent in advance. There was a general discussion which allowed researchers to help address more policy relevant questions, and highlight evidence gaps. Policy makers reported that this was a useful meeting and highlighted other topics they would like information on in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | South Downs Show Stall with activities relating to the circular bioeconomy - R Holland, Southampton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | General awareness raising of issues around bioenergy and the circular bioeconomy. Actively talking about our science with the general public. Stall with activities relating to the circular bioeconomy, where we distribute Bioenergy Comics to people who take part in the activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://www.southdownsshow.co.uk/ |
| Description | Steering group workshop with LowCVP - M Roeder |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Workshop with Steering group for harmonising GHG standards for biobased sector |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Fellowships Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An information event organised by Supergen Bioenergy Hub CMG and ECR Champion to support and direct proposals for the Supergen Fellowships Funding awards and to launch the call information. The previous call had not attracted the level of applications required and it was deemed necessary to provide more support and guidance to applicants. Outputs and call documents were only available to attendees or people who requested to attend after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/supergen-fellowship-webinar/ |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub Biomass to Hydrogen Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub held a webinar to disseminate the key points from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub Policy Briefing on Biomass-to-hydrogen |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub Biomass-to-hydrogen workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub ran an expert workshop on biomass derived hydrogen, on Thursday 26th May (10.00 - 12.30, online). We presented the information that had been gathered during the development of a policy briefing on this topic, to get expert feedback and stimulate discussion. There was then be a round table discussion focusing on a number of key topics, including key evidence gaps, how bio-derived hydrogen could/ should sit within the future hydrogen economy, and technical, economic, societal, and environmental barriers and how they could be overcome. Attendees included have representatives from policy, industry, and academic, with expertise in hydrogen (including those with expertise in biomass for hydrogen production and those from the wider hydrogen community). Discussion during the event was detailed, wide ranging, and useful, and supported the development of the Supergen Policy Briefing as well as directly sharing information between the stakeholders in attendance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub and BBNet workshop - Biobased chemicals and materials: opportunities, challenges, and environmental impacts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In light of the development of a new UK Biomass Strategy, researchers from the Biomass Biorefinery Network and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub were gathering evidence on the opportunities for using biomass for the production of chemicals and materials, and the environmental impacts of doing so. This workshop contributed to this by bringing together experts from academia, industry, and policy, to reflect on the evidence gathered, and enable wider discussion on key topics and questions. Areas where further research and evidence were needed were highlighted as a result of the discussion, and all of this will feed into a report that is soon to be published by BBNet and Supergen Bioenergy Hub. Policy makers directly put questions to the experts in the room leading to useful discussion and they reported that this help develop their understanding of the topic. Topics that were a priority are for further engagement with policy makers were identified, leading to further conversations and information exchange with policy makers. This supported the development of an internal report produced by BEIS and a decision they made to commission more detailed research in the area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub at the Climate Exp0, 17-21 May, online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) being held in Glasgow during November this year, the Climate Exp0 will bring together policymakers, academics, practitioners, students and members of the public to collaborate, share and debate climate change science and policy. We are delighted that several of our researchers from across our Hub Topic Groups will be presenting at the Climate Exp0, to explore how sustainable bioenergy systems contribute to the green recovery and climate change adaptation and resilience measures. The Climate Exp0 is free to attend and details of our involvement are below. Monday 17 May - Green Recovery Both Patricia Thornley (Aston University) and Jason Hallett (Imperial College London) will be presenting during the "Solution stars: Mitigation solutions for green recovery" between 12:00-13:00 BST. Patricia will be presenting a talk titled "Policy mechanisms to accelerate sustainable bioenergy deployment", and Jason will be presenting "The role of biorenewable products in the green recovery". Marcelle McManus (University of Bath) will be presenting several posters titled "BioHydrogen - The Way Ahead", "Energy and Infrastructure Systems Impact: Walking the Temporal Tightrope" and "Bio-based gasification - potential and opportunities" which will be available on-demand, as well as during the "Poster Hall Session" between 17:30-18:30 BST. Wednesday 19 May - Mitigation Solutions Anita Shepherd (University of Aberdeen) will be presenting a poster titled "The potential of miscanthus to capture carbon and its upscaling plans" which will be available on-demand, as well as during the "Poster Hall Session" between 17:30-18:30 BST. Jiacheng Sun (University of Edinburgh) will be presenting a poster titled "A comprehensive review of algal biofuel and biochar for climate change mitigation: bottlenecks and opportunities" which will be available on-demand, as well as during the "Poster Hall Session" between 17:30-18:30 BST. Thursday 20 May - Adaptation and Resilience Muhammad Naveed Arshad (Aberystwyth University) will be presenting a poster titled "Landscape Decision System through spatial modelling tools to achieve UK net zero targets" which will be available on-demand, as well as during the "Poster Hall Session" between 17:30-18:30 BST. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/supergen-bioenergy-hub-at-the-climate-exp0-17-21-may-online... |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub on the royal agenda, University of Bath |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath - one of our core partners - hosted a visit by the University's Chancellor, HRH The Earl of Wessex, to learn more about the centre's achievements and vision for the future. As a cross-disciplinary research centre, CSCT research includes developing clean energy technologies, replacing crude oil products in plastics and pharmaceuticals with sustainable alternatives, and minimising the environmental impact of industrial chemical processes. During the visit, The Earl heard about the vision of the CSCT in making a significant contribution to breaking the global economy's unsustainable reliance on fossil carbon. He found out more about research from many of the different areas of the centre's work, by meeting researchers who presented a range of projects from making sustainable biodegradable tree guards to tracking Covid19 in the sewage system. He was also briefed on the industrial decarbonisation and sustainable energy systems initiatives at Bath, including the UK Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub. Sam Cooper, who works with Marcelle McManus on our Vectors Topic Group, spoke to the Earl about the Hub's work, in particular our whole-systems approach, which encompasses all aspects of bioenergy and bioproducts and the associated sustainability implications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-bioenergy-hub-on-the-royal-agenda/ |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub presentations at EUBCE 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | EUBCE (the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition) 2020 'Bioeconomy's role in the post-pandemic economic recovery' took place virtually between 6-9 July 2020, and several of our researchers presented progress on our work. Mirjam Röder will be presenting 'Environmental Performance and Trade-Offs of Biogas Production from Rice Straw' as part of the Environmental Assessments of Biomass Systems session on 8 July at 2-3pm CET. In addition to this, Mirjam will also be chairing sessions on Environmental and Climate Impacts of Biomass Systems and Strategy Guidance for Local and Regional Bioenergy Projects, on 6 July & 7 July respectively. Andrew Welfle will be presenting 'The Role of Bioenergy Modelling in Renewable Energy Research & Policy Development' as part of the Integrating Bioenergy in the Energy System session on 7 July 9-10am CET. Samira Garcia Freites will be presenting 'Feasibility of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) Under the UK's Net-Zero Emission Target' as part of the GHG Performance of Bioenergy Including Carbon Capture session on 9 July at 9-10am CET. Patricia Thornley will be presenting at side-event 'Getting published, perspectives of Editors' on 7 July at 5:20-6:30pm CET. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Supergen Bioenergy Hub webinar on temporal and accounting aspects of greenhouse gas emissions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub ran a webinar on 3 June exploring the different methodologies for accounting greenhouse gases in respect of bioenergy and biomaterials. The first two presentations, from Sam Cooper at the University of Bath and Andrew Welfle from the University of Manchester, introduced findings from two recently published Supergen Bioenergy Hub policy briefs: Greenhouse gas emissions - timing matters! and Accounting whole life cycle bioenergy emissions within the UNFCCC emission accounting framework. The next two presentations provided the industry perspective and were given by Michael Goldsworthy, Sustainability Manager at Drax, and Nicola Noponen, Technical Adviser at the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). A recording of the event is available on YouTube. Marcelle McManus from the University of Bath introduced the webinars and moderated questions on the presentations. Mirjam Roder from Aston University moderated the panel discussion among the four presenters. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/webinar-explores-temporal-and-accounting-aspects-of-greenhou... |
| Description | Supergen Launch Event at Houses of Parliament |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Event to launch the recently funded Supergen programmes in Bioenergy, Supersolar, Energy Networks and Offshore Renewable Energy. Collaborative activity with other Hubs and UKRI. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/uk-research-hubs-launch-latest-phase-of-sustainable-energy-p... |
| Description | Supergen Net-Zero Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow later this year, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded Supergen Programme brought together the energy research community from 1 to 3 September 2021 to focus on the challenge of delivering net zero. The six hubs (covering bioenergy, solar, offshore renewables, hydrogen and fuel cells, energy networks, and storage) showcased research and innovation and - with the support of a diverse range of external speakers from industry, policy, academia and the third sector - explored the difference that UK energy research is making to our industrial deployment, the power of our international partnerships, how our work is helping to shape government and international policy, and what the next steps should be for UK research and innovation to meet our global commitments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/news/supergen-programme-delivers-vision-for-net-zero-future-at-en... |
| Description | Supergen Systems stakeholder workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Supergen Topic Group systems workshops in the 4 UK natiosn with stakeholder from academia, industry adn policy discussing energy futures |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Support for BEIS Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Patricia Thornley compiled and presented a list of relevant facilities, equipment and contacts from among Supergen Bioenergy Hub partners and contacts to support applicants to the BEIS Hydrogen BECCS Innovation Programme competition. This was presented at the BEIS competition workshop on 23 November 2021 and published on the Supergen Bioenergy Hub website in January 2022 and promoted to our network. As a result, three of our researchers have been invited to support bids: Mirjam Roeder led by Kew Technologies Katie Chong led by the University of Hull Jude Onwudili led by ICMEA UK Ltd |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1045... |
| Description | Support for Glass Futures low-grade biofuels project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagement and collaboration with Glass Futures on a project looking into the feasibility of alternative fuel technologies for the glass sector. Future work will include: Support for work on biofuel availability Support for work on bio-liquid characterisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Support for UKWIR on hydrogen production within the water industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Ongoing engagement and discussion with UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) on the potential for water companies to produce biohydrogen. Future work may include a funded feasibility study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Sustainable Bioenergy Systems in a Net-Zero Emission Framework |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Scottish Government Towards a Bioenergy Action Plan |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Sustainable bioenergy within a net-zero emission target: Synergies between environment, economy and society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Nordic Conference Building a sustainable European biofuel industry Gothenburg |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | The Conversation: Retire all existing and planned fossil fuel power plants to limit warming to 1.5°C - M McManus |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | News article for The Conversation: Retire all existing and planned fossil fuel power plants to limit warming to 1.5°C |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | The unique benefits of bioenergy and bioproducts on the path to net zero |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub recently collaborated with the Carbon Recycling Network, the Biomass Biorefinery Network, and the High Value Biorenewables Network (three of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (BBSRC NIBB)) to submit a joint response to a Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Call for Evidence on The Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero. The responses to the Call for Evidence will inform the development of the new UK biomass strategy, which is due to be published in 2022. This is the second in our 'Biomass for net zero?' blog series exploring some of the key points from our evidence submission. As we get closer to COP26, the series will also highlight some of the challenges that need to be addressed in order to realise the potential of biomass systems to support the transition to net zero. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/the-unique-benefits-of-bioenergy-and-bioproducts-on-the-path-to-n... |
| Description | UK researchers test 'first-of-its-kind' biodigester on rice straw |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article published in Approriate Technology magazin Vol 46, No.4 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | University of Edinburgh - Presentation - Supergen Bioenergy Hub: Introduction and Opportunities - Dr Abdelrahmen Zaky |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Gave a presentation on Supergen Bioenergy Hub |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Webinar in Malaysia on 23 October Jason Hallett |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Recorded lecture with publicity on Supergen activities. Led to further collaborations and a proposal for GCRF funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Webinar: Net zero governance in a post-COP26 world |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Supergen Bioenergy Hub organised a webinar titled "Webinar: Net zero governance in a post-COP26 world" which followed on from an evidence submission made to a government call for evidence. To deliver cross-Government climate action at the pace and scale needed to meet the net zero target, the evidence submission argued that governance structures must engage with and act upon context-specific societal views at multiple levels to overcome the net zero policy gap. This webinar examined what is needed in terms of policy support, coordination and resources at the local and regional level to ensure meaningful action and systemic change. Speakers Alison Mohr (independent researcher and adviser on energy systems governance (overview of net zero governance in the UK and consultation response)), Mirjam Roeder (Aston University (global overview and community engagement)), Joanna Sparks (Aston University (the role of researchers in influencing policy and inspiring action)), and Birmingham City Councillor Lisa Trickett (Places in Common (the role of local government and community action)). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/webinar-net-zero-governance-in-a-post-cop26-world/ |
| Description | What might energy systems look like in a net zero world? Blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dan Taylor Supergen COP26 Engagement Manager 23 August 2021 We are facing a monumental challenge to deliver a fully decarbonised energy system by 2035, as outlined by the UK's Climate Change Committee. But where are we going to get all that energy? And how will we supply it when the country needs it? How Supergen is responding |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/blog/what-might-energy-systems-look-like-in-a-net-zero-world/ |
| Description | Workshop on land use decision-making for biomass crop deployment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A team of experts from across the Supergen Bioenergy Hub held an interactive online workshop exploring expansion and targets for biomass crops to support the UK's transition to net zero. The workshop brought together representatives from industry, policy, land management and the research community. The workshop included talks that were used as the basis for discussion, with a focus on understanding not only what criteria should be used to select land suitable for biomass crop production, but also on how such criteria can be practically applied at different scales. Drawing on expertise from a range of stakeholders, the workshop identified pathways and tools that will support perennial biomass crop deployment in the UK, highlight knowledge gaps and ensure that approaches are fit for purpose. A report is being prepared based on the discussions held, to be published later in 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Workshop: Land use decision-making for biomass crop deployment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A team of experts from across the Supergen Bioenergy Hub will lead an interactive online workshop on Friday 14 January 2022 from 10am - 12.30pm, exploring expansion and targets for biomass crops to support the UK's transition to net zero. The format for the online event will be a series of short informative sessions followed by interactive discussion groups to enable all participants to share their thoughts and views on the topics. The workshop will bring together representatives from industry, policy, land management and the research community to explore three key questions: Where should biomass crops be located and what criteria should be used to identify suitable land? What tools are available or are needed to support landowners and policymakers to identify suitable land at a range of scales (from whole landscape to individual fields)? What are the barriers that could prevent suitable areas being utilised? We will cover the latest developments in modelling land availability for biomass crops and current approaches to definitions of suitable land based on marginality, and experts from across the land use sector will highlight developments in land use decision tools. These talks will be used as the basis for discussion, with a focus on understanding not only what criteria should be used to select land suitable for biomass crop production, but also on how such criteria can be practically applied at different scales. Drawing on expertise from a range of stakeholders, the workshop will identify pathways and tools that will support perennial biomass crop deployment in the UK, highlight knowledge gaps and ensure that approaches are fit for purpose. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.supergen-bioenergy.net/event/workshop-on-land-use-decision-making-for-biomass-crop-deplo... |
| Description | Written an article for "The Conversation" - Wales's past was in coal but its future is in carbon farming - Iain Donnison |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Wales's past was in coal but its future is in carbon farming. A new report from the Committee on Climate Change has outlined how the UK should - and could - reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. While an ambitious target in itself, the commission predicts Scotland can meet it a little earlier, by 2045, while England will hit the target on time. Wales, however, has only been set a goal of 95% reduction by 2050. Coming just days after Wales declared a climate emergency, the reduced goal has been met with understanding from the Welsh government - but why is it that the committee believes Wales cannot meet net zero? With wind power now cheaper than fossil fuel sources, polluting coal and gas fired power stations will not be replaced in Wales, meaning that the electricity sector should be relatively straightforward to decarbonise. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/waless-past-was-in-coal-but-its-future-is-in-carbon-farming-116706 |
| Description | Ystwyth Valley Farmers Discussion Group - Iain Donnison |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An open evening event for the Ystwyth Valley Discussion Group, a group of about 25 local farmers and landowners to discuss the role of science and plant breeding for grassland farming. The event including a presentation, discussion and tours of the National Plant Phenomics Centre as an example of how modern technology is driving grassland science and the Biorefining Centre as an example of how more value can be created from grasslands and agricultural residues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |