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Energy 3 Energy 60

e rely on energy in every aspect of our lives, taking Wfor granted that we will have access to heat, power and fuel. But with declining gas, oil and production, and ageing nuclear power stations Britain is at a crossroads. The threat of climate change also requires us to reduce

carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by cutting fossil fuel use. Government expects industry to respond to this ‘green’ agenda, but we will all have a role to play. A strategy is urgently needed that sets out a vision for our future energy security – one based on sustainable development and diversity of supply.

Humberside’s King’s Dock, imported coal bunker, credit to: Getmapping energy 1 61

How secure is our energy supply? Could Selby flood more often? Climate change predictions for the Yorkshire and Humber region For the last few decades the UK has The floods in 2000 and 2002 2050-2080 been relatively self-sufficient for resulted in millions of pounds of energy. Plentiful supplies of coal, damage to homes and businesses Sea levels: Rise of up to 82 cm oil and gas kept power stations go- across . Selby Dis- resulting in higher tidal surges ing, the lights switched on and our trict residents have felt the economic and greater salinity homes warm. However, with declin- impact as homes and businesses Temperatures: 1.6 to 3.9oC ing reserves of North Sea gas and have become more difficult and warmer resulting in more oil, and the decline of our coal indus- costly to insure. Millions of pounds frequent water shortages and a try in the face of foreign competition, have already been spent on addi- greater need for irrigation the UK is now a net importer of tional flood defences by the Environ- Rainfall: 10-20% less annual energy. Recent events in the Middle ment Agency, and more investment rainfall resulting in more frequent

East and Russia and South America 60% CO2 cuts by 2050? may be needed in the future. Whilst water shortages and a greater have served to highlight the potential we can’t directly attribute the floods need for irrigation threat of relying on energy from “In my view, climate change is the to climate change, a combination of Seasons: More extremes of wet politically unstable countries. As a most severe problem we are facing heavier seasonal rainfall and rising and dry weather, increasing the result there are increasing concerns today, more serious even than the sea levels could result in more fre- frequency of flood events and about our energy security and af- threat of terrorism.” Sir David King, quent flooding in the Selby District. increasing the need for irrigation fordability. The government’s Energy Government’s Chief Scientific Advi- It could also influence patterns of in summer Review raises the prospect of new sor agricultural production in the district. nuclear stations, but there is public On the positive side, the floods backing for a greater emphasis on In 1997 the UK signed the Kyoto inspired campaigns such as ‘Planet renewables. Protocol and agreed to cut its CO2 York’, which successfully encour- emissions by 12.5% by 2012. How- aged households and businesses to Where does our energy come ever, in the longer term we may need ‘do their bit’. from? to cut CO2 emissions 60% by 2050 to avoid dangerous climate change. Coal (15%): Whilst 50% of our The Government’s 2003 Energy coal is still mined in the UK, the White Paper adopted this as the UK’s rest is imported from countries target. This will require a fundamen- such as South Africa, South tal change in the way we use energy, America and Australia. Eco- with reduced reliance on fossil fuels. nomic deep mines reserves are A combination of solutions will be estimated at 10 years. needed including energy efficiency, Oil (35%): North Sea reserves clean fossil fuel technologies and have begun to decline; we import renewable forms of energy. oil from Norway, the Middle East, North Africa and increasingly Fiscal measures such as carbon Russia. taxes and quotas may be needed to Gas (39%): North Sea reserves influence behaviour. On the positive will decline over the next 20 side, significant economic benefits years; we are increasingly com- - such as highly skilled new jobs ing to rely on gas from Russia, - are predicted from the shift to a the Middle East and North Africa. ‘low carbon’ economy. The planning Uranium (9%): Our nuclear pow- system also has a key role to play, er stations will need replacing by with North Yorkshire County Coun- 2020, and we rely on uranium cil’s Renewable Energy Study (RES) from Africa, Australia and Russia highlighting the importance of local - where mining has significant planning frameworks in ensuring the environmental impacts. delivery of national targets. credit to: UHC collective 62 he energy industry has come to dominate the district’s Tlandscape, with large-scale in- terventions delivering national energy security and demonstrating the best of British technological innovation.

Energy was identified early on as a key Renaissance theme. The loca- tion in the district of two of the UK’s largest coal fired power stations - Drax and - the Selby ‘superpit’ mining complex and Kel- lingley Colliery has placed energy at the heart of the local economy for over three decades. This theme has continued with development of the UK’s first willow-fired , and one of the EU’s largest low energy glass manufacturing plants.

Stillingfleet miners, credit to: UK Coal, Martyn Pitt energy 2 63 Central Planning Creating Markets Changing Priorities 1 Post-war - 1970’s 2 1980’s - 1990’s 3 2000 and beyond The era of post-war nationalisation The era of privatisation and the crea- End of an era The era of growing climate change Eggborough plant produces special of the coal and electricity industries. tion of liberalised energy markets. Selby Mine complex decline and energy security threats. The heat trapping glass, responding to Projects in the national interest were A ‘dash for gas’ saw its share of (1990’s-2004): Despite initially decline of North Sea gas and oil demand created by stricter UK Build- planned and developed by Brit- growing from realising the expected production of resources, coal imports and ageing ing Regulations. ish Coal and the Central Electricity virtually nothing to nearly 30% in 10 million tonnes a year, production nuclear capacity have raised issues Generating Board (CEGB). Coal was less than a decade. Falling electric- began to decline during the 1990’s about our energy security. In 2003 Which way will the wind blow? seen as the main source of fuel for ity prices made it difficult for private because of geological problems. the Government’s Energy White Humberhead wind farm electricity generation, and North Sea investors to viably operate coal fired The high fixed costs of operating Paper prioritised both of these issues proposals (2004-ongoing): There gas was introduced for domestic power stations. The coal industry Gascoigne Wood drift mine at under and set a radical target to reduce are 15 wind farm proposals in the Humberhead area, including a 24 heating and cooking. struggled to compete with cheaper capacity became a financial burden. CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. foreign coal. Environmental regula- The quality of the coal was also low, The introduction of the Renewables MW wind farm in Selby District. The The UK’s most productive mine tions designed to tackle acid rain requiring investment in coal washing Obligation in 2003 has begun to intensity of development proposed in Kellingley Mine (1965): Redevel- began to place additional pressure to meet the power stations require- stimulate the market for renewable the area has prompted debate about oped by British Coal in the 1960s on the coal industry. ments. Competition from imported electricity, particularly wind energy, merits of . Kellingley was one of the first UK coal was the final blow and with in- but it is likely that Government may mines to produce more than 2 mil- Changing hands creasing losses the new owners UK give the go ahead for new nuclear lion tonnes of coal/year. With the Drax and Eggborough: Post privati- Coal decided to close the complex in generation capacity. closure of the Selby mine complex sation the two power stations have 2004 with 2,000 job losses. it became one of only three remain- changed hands several times as ing deep mines in Yorkshire, all now utilities and investors have changed Tackling acid rain operated by UK Coal. strategies and priorities. Originally Drax Flue Gas Desulphurisa- owned by generators National Power tion plant (1996): An EU Directive and Powergen, Drax was purchased resulted in national targets to tackle by US investors AES in 1999 and acid rain. For power stations to burn Eggborough by in British coal with high sulphur content Big plans for electricity generation 2000. Financial difficulties in 2003 requires expensive pollution control Eggborough Power station (1967) saw Drax and AES part company equipment. The first to be installed in Drax Power Station (1974 and with the formation of Drax Power the UK, the Drax FGD plant removes 1986): Constructed by the Central Farming the oil field Ltd to take control. The company at least 90% of the sulphur dioxide Electricity Generating Board (CEGB), Whitemoor Business Park (2005): was listed on the stock exchange in - a major cause of acid rain - from these stations were long term A group of companies are consider- December 2005. waste gases, producing up to three investments designed to burn British ing building a 10 MW oil seed power quarters of a million tonnes/year coal and provide a secure supply of station at UK Coal’s Whitemoor of gypsum for the manufacture of electricity for decades to come. They Business Park. All of Selby’s mine plasterboard and related products by were well designed and engineered A growing energy business sites have similar potential because companies such as British Gypsum. and it is claimed they still have a life ARBRE willow-fired power sta- of their substantial electricity grid span of over a decade. At the time tion (2000): A British and Swedish connections. Drax had the tallest stack at 259 m venture, ARBRE planned to burn and at 4,000 MWe was the largest coppice willow grown by over 40 Coal moves over power station in Europe. It currently farmers within 25 miles of the plant Drax co-firing trials (2005): Fol- supplies 7% of the UK’s electricity. but closed for technical and financial lowing trials Drax Power plans to reasons. The farmers, organised as co-fire biomass with coal in order to King Coal producer group Renewable Energy generate renewable electricity. Plan- Selby Mine complex (1983): Ap- Growers, have successfully worked ning permission has been granted proved by Energy Minister Tony with specialists such as Renewable for a new processing plant located at Benn in 1976, Selby started produc- Fuels Ltd to identify new markets, Drax, and supply contracts are being tion in 1983 and was the most including Drax Power Station. established with farmer producer advanced deep mining project in groups such as Renewable Energy the world. It was designed to supply Window of opportunity Growers (willow crops) and special- Yorkshire’s power stations, and to Saint Gobain ‘Planitherm’ plant ists such as Renewable Fuels (wil- produce 10m tonnes of coal a year (2003): Established in 2003 with low crops) and BICAL (miscanthus). for at least three decades. support from Yorkshire Forward, the 64 Vision...

Engagement of the whole community – households, farmers, industry, small businesses and the public sector – in order to meet the challenges, and realise the benefits, of a sustainable energy future.

Gwynt Teg wind farm co-operative, North Wales, credit to: Win Jones energy 3 65

industry, small businesses and the Home comfort Delivery Mechanism public sector – in order to make it Growing opportunities happen. Community biofuels Selby District Energy Renaissance: Future coal The establishment of an independ- Renaissance’s emphasis on stake- Developing eco-industries ent, not-for-profit co-ordinating holder engagement creates the ideal body. This could be established as vehicle to deliver on climate change Under each theme there are a range a membership organisation - such objectives, whilst creating economic of project proposals. The projects as a Development Trust, ‘Consor- opportunities in a significant growth cover a spectrum of linked activities tium’ Co-operative or an Industrial sector. Selby District’s links to the that work in tandem to deliver the & Provident Society - with a board he closure in 2004 of the energy, farming and logistics indus- long-term vision: representative of the range of energy Selby mine complex symbol- tries, together with access to the renaissance stakeholders. The aim Tised the end of an era, with White Rose Consortium’s science Education and awareness of the body would be to co-ordinate large-scale centralised planning base (York, and ) and Training and capacity building delivery of the Energy Renaissance replaced by the liberalised market. the Centre for Industrial Collabora- Research and innovation projects. We envisage its main roles Investment is now more fluid and, tion at Hull and the National Science Planning and development being to: given the right market conditions, Learning Centre could enable a Pilots and demonstrations capable of responding quickly to range of projects to be developed. Large-scale implementation Increase awareness new opportunities and priorities. Furthermore the establishment of Signpost advice/information But this laissez faire approach also Future Energy Yorkshire Ltd. by York- In addition it is proposed that a Network stakeholders has significant weaknesses, lacking shire Forward clearly establishes the co-ordinating body is established Build partnerships to deliver the strategic direction to respond to economic importance of sustainable – Selby District Energy Renais- projects risks such as climate change and energy to the region. sance - to co-ordinate delivery of Obtain project funding energy security. the vision. The co-ordinating body Project Framework will include representation from key It would be project-focussed, Driven by climate change, high gas stakeholders such as Selby District seeking to create new economic prices and the need for diversity of Based on our work with a range of Council, North Yorkshire County opportunities, enabling Selby District supply, there is growing consensus stakeholders – including representa- Council and Yorkshire Forward to residents to take action and help- that our future energy supply will tives from industry, higher education, ensure that Energy Renaissance ing public bodies to meet climate need to develop as a patchwork of trade associations, support bodies, complements and reinforces existing change targets. smaller scale projects located in Selby District Council, Yorkshire policies, plans and initiatives. many more ‘backyards’. This will Forward and members of the com- require greater engagement with munity – we have identified five key 3 stakeholders – households, farmers, themes: 66 systems and green roofs. The whole Pilot Projects wider benefits to farmers and the in the region. It will also seek to Green oil from CO2: ‘Emissions- district community. maximise revenue for farmers by to-biofuels’ type technology will scheme will be supplied with heat from an on-site biofueled power sta- These 4 pilot projects serve to supporting the establishment of a make use of CO2 and waste wa- harness the enthusiasm of key Project 2: Fit for the 21st Century new ‘Farmer energy’ company. The ter from Tate & Lyle’s Citric Acid tion proposed by UK Coal. stakeholders, whilst ensuring there Demonstrating how new and existing project will consist of four initiatives: plant at Selby to grow algae. is visible action ‘on the ground’ to homes and workplaces can meet The algae will be processed to The scheme will aim to discourage help attract further funding and build the carbon challenge of the 21st Public buildings: Coppiced supply end-markets which could private car ownership. Instead a investor confidence. Century. The project will explore willow will be used to heat 2-3 include biodiesel production and new railway station will provide a the different techniques that can be schools and a number of public pharmaceutical manufacturing. public transport link and residents Project 1: Hearts and Minds applied to make them more energy buildings in Sherburn, Selby and will have 24hr access to a car club A community-wide campaign to efficient, and to incorporate micro- Tadcaster. The project will form a starting point for personal mobility. A 100% biofuel raise awareness of the need for renewables. It will consist of two Business parks: Oil seed will be for ongoing research into a range of forecourt will provide all residents action on climate change. Taking its initiatives: used to heat and power White- solutions by the White Rose Consor- with access to vehicle biofuels. cue from the ‘Planet York’ campaign moor Business Park, and poten- tium of Universities in support of the it would aim to build wider accept- Fresh thinking: Demonstration tially Gascoigne Wood Biopole. ‘climate care’ park proposal. ance, and make the link to practical low energy homes and work- Coppiced willow will be used action. The project will comprise places will be constructed using to heat Brackenholme Business Landmark Projects community-wide initiatives: a number of different techniques, Park. and incorporating micro-renew- Olympia Park: A mix of fuels, Yes to Wind Power Leading by example: Commit- able technologies such as solar including processed organic The development of an iconic multi- ment of Selby District Council thermal collectors. More experi- waste, together with tried and megawatt wind farm in the district. to a programme of training and mental technologies such as LED tested technology, will be used This would be a highly visible dem- awareness accompanied by cor- lighting, ridge wind turbines, to heat and power Olympia Park. onstration of the district’s commit- porate carbon reduction targets. passive ventilation and end-use Off-grid village: Coppiced willow ment to renewable energy. The wind Carbon challenge: Working di- metering will also be trialled. will be used to supply heat to farm will be part community-owned rectly with 100 Selby households homes and businesses where enabling the profits to be distributed to reduce their carbon emis- Time for a makeover: Homes there is no current mains gas locally in order to support further en- sions. The workforce at large and workplaces will be the connection. ergy renaissance initiatives. Farmer sites such as Drax Power Station subject of a low carbon ‘makeo- land owners could also take the lead could also be targeted. ver’. Different techniques will be Project 4: Future Coal and share in the financial benefits The next generation: Working used to raise energy efficiency Exploring a range of solutions for – as demonstrated by Westmill wind

with local schools and colleges, to modern standards, and to in- the use of waste heat and CO2 from farm in Oxford. as well as organisations such as corporate micro-renewables. The coal power stations. The project will the National Science Learning aim will be to develop a standard seek to develop links with Research Gascoigne Wood ‘Eco-village’ Centre, in order to reach the next package of measures that could & Development in the EU, USA and The development of an exemplar generation. be offered to homeowners and Japan in order to pilot a number of ‘Eco-Village’ adjacent to the former Carbon champions: Establishing workplace managers. technologies. Pilot plants will be Gascoigne Wood mine. The vision a network of volunteers within installed at industrial sites in the is for a large-scale demonstration of the community that can spread The project will also serve as a district in order to evaluate perform- energy efficient and carbon neutral the word. test-bed for techniques that could be ance. homes and workplaces consisting of Ideas bank: Establishing a web- applied at Gascoigne Wood, and a up to 3,000 new residential units. based ‘ideas bank’ of actions starting point for developing the local Heat when and where you want that households, businesses and skills base. it: Heat transport technology The Eco-village could be developed individuals can take. will be used to store and move as a building exhibition in order to Climate change ‘club’: Estab- Project 3: Community biofuels waste heat from industrial sites raise standards within the house- lishing a club bringing together Developing a range of biomass in order to heat homes and work- building industry – emulating the local businesses. Members heat and power projects across the places in the district. The use of success of German schemes such would make a commitment to district. Projects will support the ‘transheat’ type technologies will as Kronsberg and Vauban. Lead- carbon reduction, share knowl- market for a range of different locally be explored, including the wider ing edge, pioneering developers will edge and best practice on how sourced fuels – including willow and potential to utilise waste heat be selected as partners to ensure best to achieve the reductions. oil seed crops and organic waste from Selby’s power stations. delivery. The homes will incorporate Farmer Energy: Building ac- collected from homes and industry This will include looking at the timber frames, natural insulation ceptance of biomass energy - and where practical provide a test impact on generating efficiencies materials, low energy lights and projects by communicating the bed for new technologies developed and heat storage requirements. appliances, energy management 67 1

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4 68 Vision...

A comprehensive programme to improve the ther- mal efficiency and install solar collectors on homes across the district in order to reduce heating bills and ensure affordable warmth for every resident.

Masonite timber roof and solar photovoltaic roof tiles, credit to: Masonite & Solar Century energy 4 69 Project Proposals ity. An energy-labelling scheme is proposed for properties bought and Affordable warmth standard: sold in the district so that buyers can The establishment of a standard make an informed choice. The label for the improvement of the thermal would provide simple information efficiency of Selby’s council housing on the heating requirements of the stock. The standard will be based home expressed in terms of KWh, on measures that could be taken likely bills and carbon emissions. to improve the stock, including The scheme could be trialled with insulation, glazing, draughtproofing, proactive housebuilder ‘champions’ efficient boilers and solar (thermal) who would like to differentiate their collectors. It will also establish an properties. overall performance target for the building fabric expressed in terms of Efficiency measures such as heating bills, SAP rating and carbon insulation, glazing, draughtproofing emissions. and efficient boilers will be widely promoted to all existing owner-oc- Responsible landlords: The estab- cupiers, building on progress made lishment of a voluntary accreditation to date with grant schemes such as scheme for private landlords. The the Home Insulation Programme. Homes Standards, energy efficiency aim of the scheme will be to raise In order to increase take-up equity has been a priority for the District standards and provide tenants with release could be offered, building on Council. The Council has established information to compare properties. experience with the Home Apprecia- credit to: ESD/Generation Homes a 10-year programme, which sets The scheme could be trialled with tion Loan scheme. targets to raise performance to proactive ‘champions’ who would NHER 6.5 for council property and like to differentiate their properties. Solar hot water: Solar thermal 5.5 for private property. The main Prospective tenants will be able to collectors will be encouraged and, focus has been on tackling fuel obtain an information pack with following adoption of a new Local poverty, with grants being used to details of accredited landlords. Development Framework, required reach the fuel poor across all forms for all new properties in the district. of tenure. Regulating and encouraging ef- They will be promoted to existing ficiency: A comprehensive pro- owner-occupiers through Selby Dis- The Council currently works in gramme to raise the efficiency of trict Energy Renaissance’s ‘hearts partnership with the York Energy owner occupied properties in the and minds’ programme – with sup- Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) district - both new and existing. port to access grants. Partnerships here are just over 30,000 energy to heat than a new home. and Eaga Partnerships to deliver its The pilot for this programme will will be developed to accredit local homes in the Selby District of This relatively poor performance, HECA (Home Energy Conservation be the ‘carbon challenge’ project solar installers. Twhich 12% are council owned, together with the lower densities, Act) targets, improvement pro- as described in section 4. This will 10% are privately rented and around Conservation Area restrictions and a grammes and to provide advice and seek to demonstrate how greater 78% are owner occupied. Reflect- high proportion of owner occupation information for the public. The main energy efficiency can be combined ing the districts more rural setting makes it harder to co-ordinate action source of funding has been the gov- with micro-renewables such as solar the majority of these properties are and influence decisions and creates ernment’s Home Energy Efficiency thermal collectors. It will also seek houses – either detached, semi- a significant challenge to improve Scheme (HEES) (now called ‘Warm to develop links with local industry in detached or terraced. This lower thermal efficiency and to deliver Front’) however resources to tackle order to develop installation capac- density housing creates a challenge ‘home comfort’. the private rental and owner-occu- to improve energy efficiency, with pier sector are more limited. These properties having larger areas of With targets established by the have traditionally been the most heat loss walls. Furthermore the av- Home Energy Conservation Act difficult sectors to target. Councils erage thermal efficiency of the hous- (HECA) 1995, which requires Selby and EEAC’s therefore have to be ing stock has been estimated by District Council to identify measures creative in order to lever in additional Selby District Council to be National to improve the energy efficiency of money by, for example, working with Home Energy Ratio (NHER) 4, which all homes in the district, and more utilities that are under a statutory means that the typical Selby District recently the Government’s Fuel requirement to subsidise efficiency 4 home will take four times more Poverty strategy and the Decent programmes. 70 Vision...

The district’s farming community, working with it’s processing and logistics industries, will become a ma- jor supplier of renewable biofuels to the Yorkshire heat, power and transport markets.

Willow harvester, credit to: Agrobransle energy 5 71

Key

Short rotation coppice (former ARBRE- Woodland Grant Scheme) Miscanthus Short rotation coppice (current energy crop scheme - approved) Willow and Miscanthus plantations, Drax power station credit to: DEFRA/RDS 25km & 50km interval radii

nergy crops have significant Biomass Task Force, and Selby world’s leading willow experts. from DEFRA, Single Farm Payments source of income. A combination of potential as a renewable en- District’s Energy Renaissance seeks The producer group Renewable and special EU support makes it an high fuel prices, the new EU Biofuels Eergy source and, with concern to build on their recommendations. Energy Growers supports willow attractive proposition. Supply con- Directive (which requires 5.75% growing about the scale of wind farmers, originally having being tracts from Drax power station also market share by 2010) and the power proposals, would contribute The failure of the ARBRE project formed to supply ARBRE. Don- offer security, and urban markets for prospect of a UK Biofuels Obligation to diversity of supply. has, however, resulted in a negative caster-based Coppice Resources small-scale heat and power - such are stimulating growth in the market. perception of energy crops. Lessons also draw upon expertise of as proposed for Holbeck in Leeds There are a number of producers in With flooding a major concern, need to be learned and pre-concep- personnel involved with ARBRE. - are set to grow. Yorkshire such as Rix Biodiesel on energy crops could bring addi- tions challenged, with work needed Humberside, and the Non-Food Crop tional benefits to the district. The to build farmers’ confidence. In Miscanthus: BICAL from the Growing crops for the vehicle fuel Centre at York is working to develop Environment Agency is interested seeking to do this the district’s West Country are the UK’s lead- market is also a potential new the market. in the potential of plantation energy farmers have access to a range of ing miscanthus experts and have crops to retain water. Together with support on their doorstep: established a farmers producer partners it is exploring the opportu- group to supply Drax. nities through the SPROUT (Strategic Oil seed: Springdale Crop Syner- Partnership for the River Ouse and gies, the award winning Driffield- In addition the Stockbridge Research Tributaries) project. based farm research centre, are Centre, a former MAFF facility, has breeding to increase yields and the potential to act as a local knowl- At a time when it is becoming are actively developing energy edge centre for biomass crops. increasingly difficult for farmers to projects in the Selby District. make a living, energy crops could At present there are only a handful become a valuable new source of Willow: Renewable Fuels at of growers in the district, however, income. The potential was recently Escrick are the UK arm of Swed- with low commodity prices and the highlighted by the government’s ish co-operative Agrobransle, the availability of establishment grants 5 Willow harvesting, credit to: Coppice Resources 72

Miles per hectare: The active devel- Project Proposals opment of local demand for vehicle biofuels. Forecourts would be signed Growing Co-operatively: The active up to sell biofuels, starting with encouragement of Selby District’s 5% blends and potentially offering farmers to join biofuel producer blends up to 100% on a ‘members- groups controlled by farmers. Farm- only’ basis. Business and public ers would benefit from farm-based sector vehicle fleets and farmers knowledge and expertise, sharing would be encouraged to use bio- the cost of harvesting equipment fuels. The National Non-Food Crop and by cutting out ‘middle-men’ in Centre has also suggested that farm- order to maximise value. They would ers could establish bio-refineries to also be able to access sources produce fuel from oil seed and waste of expertise in, for example, crop oil, with the potential to emulate the breeding. Producer Groups could success of US farmer co-operatives. also establish new ventures to Farmer producer groups could use exploit new markets and add value this opportunity in order to meet (see Biopole project). local demand and self-supply.

‘Bio-net’ distribution: The develop- ment of an efficient distribution net- work to get biofuels to end-markets in Yorkshire. Sewage sludge fertiliser could also be distributed to growers. The distribution network would make use of a range of different modes, with an emphasis on rail and water borne transport. The network could be established as a joint venture between farmer producer groups, biofuel specialists and local logis- tics firms – emulating the Swedish venture Naturbransle. Drax Power Station and Gascoigne Wood have been identified by stakeholders as potential logistics hubs.

Key

Energy crop areas of opportunity Non-food crop areas of opportunity Flood level Water bodies

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Area of willow plantation required to heat homes in Tadcaster (5.000ha), Sherburn (5.000ha) and Selby (10.000ha)

Area required to supply 10% of Drax’ energy from willow crops 74 Vision...

Development of a district-wide heating plan – targeting public and private buildings – in order to support the market for locally grown biofuels.

energy 6 75

he failure of ARBRE has Pilot projects are, however, required The planning system also has a biomass schemes. It is proposed the UK pioneering projects have highlighted the risk of farmers to build confidence in biomass heat- potential role to play in developing that this is covered within the hearts largely relied on wood heating spe- Trelying on large-scale projects ing systems, and in this respect the the market by encouraging future and minds ‘landmark’ project. cialists currently receiving DEFRA using unproven technologies. Whilst public sector is the ideal position to housing schemes to adopt Com- ‘biomass infrastructure’ grants - co-firing by coal power stations support the biomass heating market bined Heat and Power technology. The establishment of partnerships such as Econergy and Rural Energy. such as Drax is creating a sub- and to lead by example. Pioneer- with technology providers and heat- In Yorkshire emerging firms such as stantial, stable market for biomass ing councils such as Telford and A potential Eco-Village has also been ing engineers is important to ensure Bioflame also have the potential to crops up until 2016, both the NFU Barnsley both demonstrate what suggested on land owned by UK the quality of installed systems. In become technology partners. and Ben Gill’s Biomass Task Force can be achieved, with commitments Coal at Gascoigne Wood, with the have recommended development of to install wood heating systems in potential to make use of the existing the market for smaller scale heating council buildings, leisure centres and electricity substation capacity to projects, using proven technology. schools. Projects like these could support a large Combined Heat & support the carbon reduction aims Power plant project. These develop- Pioneering farmers such as Gareth of North Yorkshire County Council, ments create significant opportuni- Gaunt and Rupert Burr have gone who manage many of Selby Dis- ties for community heating. further, suggesting that farmers trict’s community buildings, and can should add value to their fuel by also play an important educational Wider awareness raising has also delivering heating services – as role in the local community. been highlighted as being crucial demonstrated by successful farmer- to building public acceptance of controlled businesses in Sweden 6 and Austria. 76

Project Proposals

District heat plan: The establish- Existing homes and private build- Farmer Energy Ltd: The establish- ment of a strategy to grow the biofu- ings will be encouraged to switch ment of a new company that would el heating market, with the potential over, with advice being made readily enable farmers to directly benefit to partner with fellow Renaissance available. The plan will also seek to from biomass heating opportunities. town Barnsley. It will aim to switch address barriers such as inflexible The company would be owned and all public and community buildings regulations, which apply in Smoke controlled by local farmers. The aim in the district over to biofuels for Control Zones, as well as targeting of the company would be to add- heating by 2015. villages and homes that are off the value to energy crops by selling heat The plan will also seek to ensure gas network. Potential pilot projects to end-users – a model successfully that new developments use biofuels include Brackenholme and White- used by farmers and foresters in for heating, with a focus on the moor Business Parks. Synergies Sweden and Austria. Services would masterplans for Olympia Park and between the demand for heating be delivered by working in partner- Gascoigne Wood. and adjacent industrial uses, such ship with specialist installers and as Tate & Lyle Citric Acid in Selby, equipment providers. which has its own Combined Heat & Power plant will also be explored.

Indicative heat network for Eco-Village 77 78 Vision...

Research and Development of novel waste heat and CO2 applications, creating the potential for coal power stations to become hubs for eco-industries.

credit to: Vincent Lowe energy 7 79

rax and Eggborough power secure a future for coal power and stations waste around 60% of their sions in the UK, emitting annually by 2009. To make deeper cuts more stations ensure a large, for it to become more sustainable: energy – the water vapour ris- over 28 million tonnes. Tackling radical solutions will be needed. The Dsecure supply of electricity ing from the cooling towers - and climate change will require these government has recently published for the country. With coal power’s 1. Co-fire with sustainably sourced, enough to heat Leeds, Sheffield, emissions to be addressed either a carbon abatement strategy, which

position in the UK’s energy mix now renewable biomass, Hull, York and Doncaster combined. through co-firing coal with carbon- supports the capture of CO2 from secured until at least 2020 by strong 2. Improve efficiency by investing in One solution successfully demon- neutral biomass fuel, or by capturing power stations. However, the current

political support, attention has technologies such as super-critical strated by Scandinavian cities is to and storing and/or utilising the CO2. proposal to store the CO2 in oil wells focussed on the potential for clean boilers and feedwater heating, use it to for district heating. Howev- Current proposals by Drax to co-fire and aquifers poses significant risks coal power generation. Both power 3. Explore options for Carbon er, whilst heat pipelines are feasible 500,000 tonnes/year of biomass and is not a long-term solution.

stations are investing heavily to Capture and Storage (CCS), as utilising waste heat would reduce will cut their CO2 emissions by 5%

reduce SO2 and NOX emissions, and promoted by the government. power generating efficiencies and mechanisms such as the Renewa- therefore revenue from power sales. bles Obligation and EU Emissions Energy Renaissance has sought to In addition, Yorkshire’s towns and Trading are incentivising carbon broaden the debate, identifying ‘blue cities do not have heating networks reduction. However, a long term skies’ efficiency and CCS options, of a scale that could justify the large-

energy policy framework is needed with a focus on waste heat and CO2. scale pipelining of heat - although from central government to secure this may change in the future. investment. Whilst Kellingley Colliery Waste heat: Is there potential for the

remains competitive, UK Coal is large-scale storage and transport of CO2 emissions: Is there potential

keen to secure its future position. waste heat, and if so how could it be for the large-scale extraction of CO2 used as a resource? from coal fired power stations, and if Set within the wider context of York- so could it be used as a resource? shire Forwards ‘Vision for coal’ there Electricity generation is inefficient Drax and Eggborough are two of are broadly three options available to unless the waste heat is used. Both largest single sources of CO emis- 7 2 80

Project Proposals

URBED have worked with the Tyndall Centre and the University of York to identify potential solutions for the value products, such as biodiesel waste heat and CO2 problem. The proposals are based on the most and pharmaceuticals. Algae produc- promising solutions, and the extent ‘Climate care’ industrial park: The tion could also make use of sewage

of research in this field suggests establishment of an industrial park sludge and waste heat. Firm CO2 there could be potential to identify adjacent to each power station. The and heat supplies could also be used further solutions. aim of each park will be to reduce to attract more horticulture.

These activities could be clus- CO2 emissions for each MWh of tered to form ‘climate care’ industrial electricity generated by 20% by Clean Coal power station: The parks adjacent to Drax and Egg- 2015. The parks would attract research and development of ‘zero borough power stations, with close industrial activities that would make emission’ clean coal technology

liaison with Selby District Council use of waste heat and CO2. The heat based on international expertise with

Planning Department to scope and and CO2 hub project proposals set a view to constructing a new 500 identify potential sites. out potential activities and anchor MWe+ power station in the Selby Additional proposals are to tenants. The sites will need to be vicinity. The power station could help develop a clean coal power station in scoped and selected based on the to secure a sustainable future for the district - based on cutting edge technical suitability and transport Kellingley Colliery, and could also technology with its own ‘climate connections. The University of York support ‘climate care’ park activi- care’ park - and to celebrate the are researching similar high yield ties - in a similar vein to proposals iconic status of the power station processes – creating the potential at Hatfield. Land owned by UK Coal cooling towers in Selby district’s for a range of biotechnology-based at Kellingley could be explored as a landscape. solutions. potential site.

Heat hub: The development of a Cool towers: Celebrating the iconic heat distribution hub. Low-grade appearance and visibility of the waste heat (70-90oC) bled from the power station cooling towers in turbines or boilers, and buffered Selby District’s landscape. The tow- by large heat storage tanks – as ers could form the basis for large- demonstrated by Danish power scale art installations to symbolise stations such as Aenaes - would be and promote Energy Renaissance. transported by road, rail and pipeline This could take a number of different to large consumers using ‘Transheat’ forms including murals, projections type latent heat storage technology and LED lighting displays - as dem- and/or insulated pipelines. Because onstrated by EU power companies heat recovery would reduce power such as RWE and Electrabel. generating efficiencies any loss in revenue would need to be balanced against potential new revenue from heat sales and carbon reductions. ‘Climate Care’ Park: process diagram

CO2 hub: The development of a CO2 distribution and manufacturing hub.

CO2 would be extracted from flue gas by a new plant. It would be used by manufacturers on site, potentially including polycarbonate plastics and the growing of algae to produce high 81 82 Vision...

The establishment of Selby District as a prime location for eco-industries, demonstrated by the commitment of the district’s existing indus- try and establishment as a centre of excellence for low carbon technologies and non-food crops.

energy 8 83

Climate change ‘club’: The estab- Building capacity: The establish- lishment of a club bringing together ment of partnerships with colleges local business leaders. Members and higher education to build capac- would have to demonstrate a com- ity within the local economy. The aim mitment to carbon reduction, and in would be to help local businesses return they would share knowledge to benefit from emerging demand. and best practice on how best to For example, York Energy Efficiency achieve reductions. There could also Advice Centre (EEAC) has already be potential for joint working on mu- identified the need for more solar tually beneficial projects such as co- heating installers in North Yorkshire. generation or on-site wind energy. Training could therefore be provided The club could be established under on solar plumbing to local busi- he market for low carbon sis on becoming more productive the auspices of the Selby Industrial nesses with complementary skills in products and services is set whilst using less energy and raw Association and the Selby Waste order to fill this niche. Tto grow substantially over the materials. The Climate Change Levy Minimisation Club. next few years, and has been de- and the Landfill Tax are just a few of Low Carbon R&D: The establish- scribed as the coming ‘green revolu- the measures creating pressure for Industrial symbiosis: The encour- ment of a low carbon technology tion’. With such significant forecast change, along with the longer term agement of active collaboration Research & Development Centre growth opportunities it makes sense prospect of higher gas and oil prices. between local industry in order to modelled on the success of research to gear up the district’s businesses Increasing priority is also been given reduce waste and save energy. The centres in Gelsenkirchen and to benefit. Saint Gobains investment to innovation and the Research & National Industrial Symbiosis Project Freiburg (Germany). Energy tech- in a new low energy glass plant at Development of new eco-efficient (NISP) is supported by Yorkshire nologies are a proposed R&D theme Eggborough, with the creation of 60 products and processes. For Selby’s Forward and the DTI. Its aim is for the science park proposals (see jobs, demonstrates the potential and industry the prospect of becoming to encourage businesses to work Economy section). The emphasis companies such as Linpac Polymers ‘eco-industries’ could deliver a range together for competitive advantage. would be on pre-commercialisation and Tate & Lyle are already invest- of benefits. The greatest incentive So, for example, one businesses and prototyping. Potential projects ing in clean technologies and green will be the prospect of bottom line waste (e.g. yeast from a brewery, could include the Future Coal products. Growth in demand for financial savings. For larger busi- shells from seafood processing) proposals and biomass heating tech- building products such as natural nesses it would contribute towards could become the raw material for nologies, such as being developed insulation and low energy glazing, Corporate Social Responsibility another business (e.g. mushroom by Bioflame with the support of the as well as biomass boilers and solar (CSR) commitments. With growing growing, manufacturing pollution University of York. The buildings at roofs, will also increase the need for scrutiny of suppliers ‘green’ creden- control filters). The tried and tested such a centre would integrate state- specialist installers. tials environmental responsibility it NISP workshop format could be of-the-art low energy design features There is also increasing could help to secure new business, used to map out areas of potential and renewable energy technologies. pressure on industry to become and can also improve relations with collaboration, enabling projects and 8 more eco-efficient, with the empha- the local community. R&D requirements to be identified.