DEVELOPMENT OF A STANDARD METHODOLOGY FOR INTEGRATING NON-FOOD CROP PRODUCTION IN RURAL AREAS WITH NICHE ENERGY MARKETS

Objective

The partners in this Concerted Action will work together to develop a common methodology for analysing the costs of energy production from energy crops. The methodology will include all the costs from crop production through transportation to energy conversion. The partners will bring together data from their national programmes to investigate using the same methodology three niche markets:

- medium-scale heat markets (1-10MWth) including cogeneration for light industry and district heating;

- liquid biofuels as substitutes for fossil fuels in transport, heat and power applications;

- small-scale heat markets (less than 1MWth) for agro-industry, domestic and commercial buildings.

The concerted work will cover not only the costs but technical and non-technical barriers to exploitation. The methodology will be modified to examine the impact of different grant regimes and technical options. The aim will be to identify how much support is required to take energy crops into different markets. Once this analysis is complete, the partners will formulate the strategies for R&D, promotion and stimulation of niche markets for energy crops.

The results will be presented in an open seminar in the U.K. in January 1996.

Programme(s)

• FP3-AIR - Specific research and technological development and demonstration programme (EEC) in the field of agriculture and agro-industry, including fisheries, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 111 - Conversion, diversification and extensification

Funding Scheme

CON - Coordination of research actions

Coordinator

AEA Technology

Address

Harwell Laboratory
OX11 0RA Didcot
United Kingdom

Participants (3)

ASSOCIATION FOR AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND FARM CONSTRUCTION

Germany

Address

Darmstadt

CENTER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES - CRES

Greece

Address

Pikermi - Attiki

HYPERION LTD.

Ireland

Address

Cork