UK – TEMPEC Project
The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, created by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), awarded funding to New Energy Farms (NEF) for an innovative research programme aimed at introducing new high-biomass perennial grasses into the UK. The project also developed novel methods for multiplying and establishing these crops. This three-year initiative (2022–2025) received £2.5 million in government funding.
The overall objective of the TEMPEC project (Technologies to Enhance the Multiplication and Propagation of Energy Crops) was to address the challenge of scaling up the planting of high-biomass perennial grasses for renewable energy. UK studies suggest that between 214,000 and 700,000 hectares are required to meet demand, yet the current area is under 9,000 ha. The project aimed to develop solutions to expand this area, helping to meet biomass energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase levels of carbon sequestration.
Aims & Objectives
The first objective was to test new energy grasses from global breeding programmes, as most UK energy grass crops are currently planted from a single variety. Introducing alternative, higher-yielding options would provide UK growers with more productive varieties and reduce the time required to bring them into use.
The second objective was to validate whether CEEDSTM technology is applicable to UK energy crops, and to develop new methods for multiplying and establishing vegetatively propagated energy crops.
Another aim was to study the frequency and benefits of symbiotic relationships between fungi, bacteria, and energy crops in UK environments, and assess whether these relationships enhance biomass yield.
The project also sought to explore opportunities for biomass production through paludiculture, including on wetland reclamation areas and metal-contaminated soils. Specifically, it aimed to assess whether NEF’s innovative planting technologies could be adapted to wetland crops such as Typha.
Finally, GHG analyses, production models, and licensing strategies were developed to support the expansion of biomass production using the varieties and propagation systems created during the project.
UK – TEMPEC Project
The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, created by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), awarded funding to New Energy Farms (NEF) for an innovative research programme aimed at introducing new high-biomass perennial grasses into the UK. The project also developed novel methods for multiplying and establishing these crops. This three-year initiative (2022–2025) received £2.5 million in government funding.
The overall objective of the TEMPEC project (Technologies to Enhance the Multiplication and Propagation of Energy Crops) was to address the challenge of scaling up the planting of high-biomass perennial grasses for renewable energy. UK studies suggest that between 214,000 and 700,000 hectares are required to meet demand, yet the current area is under 9,000 ha. The project aimed to develop solutions to expand this area, helping to meet biomass energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase levels of carbon sequestration.
Aims & Objectives
The first objective was to test new energy grasses from global breeding programmes, as most UK energy grass crops are currently planted from a single variety. Introducing alternative, higher-yielding options would provide UK growers with more productive varieties and reduce the time required to bring them into use.
The second objective was to validate whether CEEDSTM technology is applicable to UK energy crops, and to develop new methods for multiplying and establishing vegetatively propagated energy crops.
Another aim was to study the frequency and benefits of symbiotic relationships between fungi, bacteria, and energy crops in UK environments, and assess whether these relationships enhance biomass yield.
The project also sought to explore opportunities for biomass production through paludiculture, including on wetland reclamation areas and metal-contaminated soils. Specifically, it aimed to assess whether NEF’s innovative planting technologies could be adapted to wetland crops such as Typha.
Finally, GHG analyses, production models, and licensing strategies were developed to support the expansion of biomass production using the varieties and propagation systems created during the project.
UK – TEMPEC Project
The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, created by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), awarded funding to New Energy Farms (NEF) for an innovative research programme aimed at introducing new high-biomass perennial grasses into the UK. The project also developed novel methods for multiplying and establishing these crops. This three-year initiative (2022–2025) received £2.5 million in government funding.
The overall objective of the TEMPEC project (Technologies to Enhance the Multiplication and Propagation of Energy Crops) was to address the challenge of scaling up the planting of high-biomass perennial grasses for renewable energy. UK studies suggest that between 214,000 and 700,000 hectares are required to meet demand, yet the current area is under 9,000 ha. The project aimed to develop solutions to expand this area, helping to meet biomass energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase levels of carbon sequestration.
Aims & Objectives
The first objective was to test new energy grasses from global breeding programmes, as most UK energy grass crops are currently planted from a single variety. Introducing alternative, higher-yielding options would provide UK growers with more productive varieties and reduce the time required to bring them into use.
The second objective was to validate whether CEEDSTM technology is applicable to UK energy crops, and to develop new methods for multiplying and establishing vegetatively propagated energy crops.
Another aim was to study the frequency and benefits of symbiotic relationships between fungi, bacteria, and energy crops in UK environments, and assess whether these relationships enhance biomass yield.
The project also sought to explore opportunities for biomass production through paludiculture, including on wetland reclamation areas and metal-contaminated soils. Specifically, it aimed to assess whether NEF’s innovative planting technologies could be adapted to wetland crops such as Typha.
Finally, GHG analyses, production models, and licensing strategies were developed to support the expansion of biomass production using the varieties and propagation systems created during the project.