Exploring the Life Cycle Methodology and Impacts of Bioenergy Production

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bath
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

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Description this project explored the use of life cycle methodology and what impact this has on bioenergy use, and the other way round. LCA is shaping bioenergy, but also bioenergy is shaping LCA. This methodological change is of great interest as LCA is used more widely in other policy and legislative areas. We have written a number of policy and industry directed papers as part of this research and are beginning to discuss the issues more widely with industry.
Exploitation Route We are exploring the options of working more with policy makers and industry and are pulling together further research grants. 2018 Update: the work has been further developed through use of the original findings and concepts in larger grants, such as EP/N013522/1 and EP/P020836/1.
Sectors Education,Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other
 
Description 2015 Update Our publications have begun to be widely read and have led to further discussion with industry and policy makers. We are looking for funding to explore the impacts further on a global scale. Our initial findings and thoughts were shared at a policy facing workshop, at which several (UK) government department policy makers and regulators expressed a real interest in the work and desire to see more analysis. We presented some work at the International Bioenergy conference in Manchester, in March 2014. At this there was much discussion with members of DEFRA who were extremely interested in the results of the work and the publication we had in the EBI magazine. We were then sent further raw data from DEFRA and are in discussion with them about further analysis. 2018 Update: the work has been taken on and further developed through the use of the EPSRC Travel grant. In addition, the work has expanded into sections of large grant applications such as the Supergen Bioenergy Hub.
First Year Of Impact 2012
Sector Energy,Environment
Impact Types Economic,Policy & public services
 
Description Travel Grant Application: Dynamic Energy Planning: Global and National Resilience
Amount £12,008 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/P020836/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2017 
End 02/2018
 
Description This was a partnership award between the UK (Bath) and the US (EBI, UC Berkeley) 
Organisation University of California, Berkeley
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Bath were the PI in the project
Collaborator Contribution We travelled several times to eachothers insitutute to exhange ideas, build collaboration and hold workshops and events.
Impact Papers and articles, workshops and a grant application for future funding
Start Year 2011