As a result of greater scrutiny from environmental non-governmental organisations, it has become a necessity for the bioenergy industry to demonstrate that biomass fuel is obtained from sustainable and legal sources and does not have a harmful environmental impact.
The Sustainable Fuel Register (SFR) has been set up to fill a gaping hole left when the Government introduced mandatory biomass fuel sustainability reporting in October 2015. Anyone wishing to claim Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) revenue and use non-wood fuels had to self-report against the sustainability criteria. This was both an onerous and expensive exercise. In addition, there was no mechanism in place for traders of non-wood fuels to demonstrate the sustainability credentials of their products and therefore, the RHI market has been frustratingly closed to these operators.
SFR is the first industry led, self-sustaining register of non-wood biomass fuels, which provides a simplified certification process for fuels such as miscanthus, cereal straw, grass, bracken and food wastes (such as waste coffee grounds). This initiative received formal Secretary of State approval in early November 2016 and is now open for online registrations.
SFR has been brought about by collaboration between FEC Energy and Crops for Energy. Both organisations are consultancies with excellent track records in alternative biomass and energy crops. All efforts have been welcomed by the industry, with support from the National Farmers Union (NFU), Wood Heat Association (WHA), producers and traders of non-wood fuels and manufacturers and installers of multi fuel boilers.
SFR increases the traceability and integrity of sustainable fuels and provides the biomass industry with greater value. By registering fuels transferred from producer to trader to end user, a complete chain of custody is established from field to furnace. Not only does it provide peace of mind to those in the fuel chain, but also means that there is less chance that fuel will be falsely accounted for or an authorisation number used illegally.
SFR is a paid for service. The registration fee of £125 covers the production, trading or use of 125 tonnes of fuel, ideal for the self-supplier with sub 200kW boilers. Larger producers, traders and users registering more than 125 tonnes will also be charged £0.50 per tonne for each additional tonne above this. The scheme is flexible so that an amount that is registered is not time limited and is valid until it is used or traded on.
Achieving Secretary of State approval has not been easy. We’ve met each and every challenge that we’ve been set and the result is a robust system that will provide easy, affordable compliance whilst also raising the bar of biomass sustainability reporting.
If you are interested in how the SFR could work for you come and talk to the team directly at Energy Now Expo on 8th and 9th February 2017 on the NFU Energy Service stand number 105. Alternatively, contact the team by calling 024 7669 8899 or e-mail [email protected].