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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/L014912/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Bioenergy
Principal Investigator: Jones, Professor JM
Other Investigators:
Gale, Professor W F Rayner, Professor CM Pourkashanian, Professor M
Williams, Professor P Foxon, Professor TJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Aarhus University Aberystwyth University Advanced Fuel Research Inc
Alstom Group Argonne National Laboratory Arigna Fuels
Bauhaus University Weimar BOC Buro Happold
Centre for Low Carbon Futures CNRS Group CO2Sense CIC
Compact GTL Dalkia Drax Power Limited
E.On ECN Eggborough Power Ltd
Forest Research Haider Green Harper Adams University
Keracol Limited, Leeds City Council Lund, University of
National Carbon Institute (CSIC) National Non-Food Crops Centre NNFCC North Energy Associates
Pakistan Inst Eng and Appl Sciences PX Group Ltd Ricardo - AEA (UK)
Rotawave Ltd Rothamsted Research RSPB
The Finnish Environment Institute Torftech Ltd University of Klagenfurt
University of Manchester, The University of Murcia Visva Bharati University
Wageningen, University of Xi'an Jiatong University
Department: Chemical and Process Engineering
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 October 2014 Ends: 31 March 2024 Value (£): 4,417,541
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Bioenergy
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 Oct 2013 EPSRC CDT 2013 Interviews Panel L Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
This world-leading Centre for Doctoral Training in Bioenergy will focus on delivering the people to realise the potential of biomass to provide secure, affordable and sustainable low carbon energy in the UK and internationally. Sustainably-sourced bioenergy has the potential to make a major contribution to low carbon pathways in the UK and globally, contributing to the UK's goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and the international mitigation target of a maximum 2 degrees Celsius temperature rise. Bioenergy can make a significant contribution to all three energy sectors: electricity, heat and transport, but faces challenges concerning technical performance, cost effectiveness, ensuring that it is sustainably produced and does not adversely impact food security and biodiversity. Bioenergy can also contribute to social and economic development in developing countries, by providing access to modern energy services and creating job opportunities both directly and in the broader economy. Many of the challenges associated with realising the potential of bioenergy have engineering and physical sciences at their core, but transcend traditional discipline boundaries within and beyond engineering. This requires an effective whole systems research training response and given the depth and breadth of the bioenergy challenge, only a CDT will deliver the necessary level of integration. Thus, the graduates from the CDT in Bioenergy will be equipped with the tools and skills to make intelligent and informed, responsible choices about the implementation of bioenergy, and the growing range of social and economic concerns.

There is projected to be a large absorptive capacity for trained individuals in bioenergy, far exceeding current supply. A recent report concerning UK job creation in bioenergy sectors concluded that there "may be somewhere in the region of 35-50,000 UK jobs in bioenergy by 2020" (NNFCC report for DECC, 2012). This concerned job creation in electricity production, heat, and anaerobic digestion (AD) applications of biomass. The majority of jobs are expected to be technical, primarily in the engineering and construction sectors during the building and operation of new bioenergy facilities. To help develop and realise the potential of this sector, the CDT will build strategically on our research foundation to deliver world-class doctoral training, based around key areas: [1] Feedstocks, pre-processing and safety; [2] Conversion; [3] Utilisation, emissions and impact; [4] Sustainability and Whole systems. Theme 1 will link feedstocks to conversion options, and Themes 2 and 3 include the core underpinning science and engineering research, together with innovation and application. Theme 4 will underpin this with a thorough understanding of the whole energy system including sustainability, social, economic public and political issues, drawing on world-leading research centres at Leeds. The unique training provision proposed, together with the multidisciplinary supervisory team will ensure that students are equipped to become future leaders, and responsible innovators in the bioenergy sector.

Key Findings
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk