Can biomass help the UK reach net zero?

Biomass represented 8.6 per cent of the UK’s energy supply in 2022 and is set to play an important role in the government’s plan to meet net zero goals. But is it viable on a large scale? Let’s break down how resistor technology can make energy generation through biomass successful and sustainable.

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How is energy generated through biomass? ??

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Biomass generates energy by burning materials like wood, agricultural residues and waste. While combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO2), the plants used absorb nearly equivalent levels of CO2 during growth, making biomass largely carbon-neutral. Using waste materials also cuts down landfill and improves recycling levels.

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The government’s plan ??

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In August, the UK and Global Bioenergy Resource Model 2024 outlined plans to secure biomass supply amid growing demand, with two-thirds sourced domestically but an increasing reliance on imports.

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Criticism has arisen over the possibility of sourcing material from countries such as Afghanistan and North Korea, alongside concerns about shifting land use from food crops and challenges in verifying sustainable supply chains. So, how can we benefit from biomass while managing these concerns?

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The role of resistors ?

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Biomass holds great potential as a net-zero energy source but it’s important that it’s not expanded beyond viable levels. To make this a reality, the UK needs an energy system that not only ensures the safe and effective operation of biomass plants but can also deal with intermittent energy generation from other renewable sources.

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?? For biomass power plants, Cressall supplies neutral earthing resistors (NERs), which limit the current moving through a generator or transformer’s neutral point in the case of a ground fault. This limits the risk of equipment damage caused by fault currents, reducing downtime to make the most out of biomass resources.

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?? For wind and tidal turbines, pre-insertion resistors (PIRs) and dynamic braking resistors (DBRs) respectively protect against overvoltages caused by extreme weather conditions. Managing these fluctuations allows the grid to balance diverse energy inputs without overreliance on biomass.

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As the energy transition picks up pace, resistors will play an important role in long-term resilience and sustainability across a range of renewable energy projects ??

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To find out more about Cressall’s range of resistors for renewable projects, get in touch with our knowledgeable team.