Modelling the carbon abatement costs and potential from perennial energy crops

Biomass could supply 8–11% of the UK’s total primary energy demand by 2020, with the greatest growth in UK domestic supply expected to come from agricultural residues and energy crops.

A significant area of land the United Kingdom could be used for growing such energy crops, without impinging on food production. However, despite policy support for the sector, uptake of these crops has so far been limited.

This policy note summarises the findings of agent-based modelling research investigating the potential of various policy mechanisms to achieve cost effective carbon abatement in the UK energy crop market.