This document provides a summary of a study on renewable and low carbon energy capacity in the East of England region. The study aimed to assess the region's potential to contribute to national renewable energy targets and identify opportunities at the local level. Key findings included that the total estimated energy resource potential is 260% of predicted 2020 demand, but realistic potential is estimated at around 10% after accounting for constraints. Opportunity maps were produced to identify priority areas for different renewable technologies like onshore wind and energy from waste. Next steps discussed disseminating the results to local authorities and exploring project feasibility and delivery through local workshops and engagement.

1. East of England
Renewable and
Low Carbon Energy
Capacity Study
The Landscape Partnership
Spatial Planning Team
AECOM Sustainable
Development Group

2. Presentation Structure
1. Study objectives and scope
2. Demand and provision of energy
3. Potential energy contributions
4. Energy opportunity maps
5. Dissemination and delivery
Presentation Team
The Landscape Partnership AECOM
Richard Summers Andrew Turton
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3. 1: STUDY OBJECTIVES AND
SCOPE
3

4. Study Objectives
• To enable each local authority to assess the role it can play in
contributing to national renewable and low carbon energy targets
• To adopt the “DECC methodology” to enable East of England results to
be included in an overall national assessment of energy capacity
• To assess the total regional potential to provide a contribution to
renewable energy capacity including the likely potential by 2020
• To indicate the potential for renewable and low carbon energy
generation at a local level with the East of England
• To identify the opportunities and constraints for deploying regional
renewable and low carbon energy potential at the local level
• To provide maps and data that can be used at a local level to help
identify local renewable and low carbon energy projects
4

5. Study Scope
The study examines renewable energy resource potential as
well as renewable energy generation which differs particularly
for biomass. The main types of energy generation are …
•District Heating (DH) and Combined Heat and Power (CHP);
•Onshore Wind Energy;
•Biomass Energy (all forms);
•Energy from Waste (all forms);
•Hydro Energy;
•Microgeneration;
•Large scale Solar PV (not originally in DECC method)
5

6. Study Outputs
• Study Report to DECC – for national analysis and reporting
– Maps and data tables on ArcView Publisher for local analysis
• Study Report to Local Authorities – to focus on local
dissemination and delivery
– Maps and data tables on ArcView Publisher for local analysis
• Suggestions for further action
6

7. 2: DEMAND AND PROVISION OF
ENERGY
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8. Baseline Energy Demand
120,000
Annual energy demand (GWh)
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Year
Non‐domestic heating Non‐domestic electricity
Domestic heating Domestic electricity
The total energy consumption in 2008 was around 97,000 GWh
Energy demand is projected to rise by 2% from 2011 to 2020
This comprises 69% in heat energy and 31% in electrical energy
8

9. Current Renewable Energy Installations
The current capacity for renewable and low carbon energy
generation is about 850 MWe. About 500 MW of this is in operation
and about 200 MW has consent or is awaiting construction.
Capacity by technology and status (MW) Total capacity
Dedicated Biomass 199.0
Landfill Gas 150.1
Sewage Gas 27.2
Municipal and Industrial Waste 110.8
Photovoltaics 5.0
Wind 330.6
Hydro 0.04
Total 822.7
This output from this capacity is equivalent to 3.9% of total predicted 2020 energy demand
(heat and electrical energy) or 12.7% of the predicted 2020 electrical energy demand.
9

10. Comparison with Other Regions
Wind : Advantage of extensive rural areas
combined with flat topology
Hydro : Very limited resource potential.
Biomass : Low opportunity because of limited
managed forestry and extensive farmland.
Solar : Similar to other regions because levels
of insulation are relatively uniform across UK.
Waste : Large installed capacity with greater
potential for agricultural waste resulting from
extensive agriculture and food processing.
10

11. 3: POTENTIAL ENERGY
CONTRIBUTIONS
11

12. Total Energy Resource Potential by County
commercial scale
waste: MSW and
woodland - CHP
small and micro
Large scale PV
Onshore wind:
Onshore wind:
Building scale
solar thermal)
solar (PV and
Energy crops
Sewage gas
Waste wood
Heat pumps
Wet organic
Poultry litter
Energy from
small scale
Landfill gas
woodland -
Managed
Managed
Boilers
Hydro:
Straw
waste
C&IW
Total
scale
Location
THERMAL AND ELECTRICITY (% OF 2020 DEMAND)
Essex 115% 0% 2% 1% 0% 12% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 2% 137%
Hertfordshire 77% 0% 3% 1% 0% 16% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 3% 104%
Bedfordshire 167% 0% 4% 2% 0% 22% 3% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 4% 206%
Cambridgeshire 316% 0% 3% 2% 0% 13% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 0% 3% 343%
Norfolk 436% 0% 3% 2% 0% 51% 0% 0% 1% 2% 0% 0% 3% 0% 1% 3% 503%
Suffolk 386% 0% 3% 2% 0% 47% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 4% 0% 1% 4% 451%
TOTAL 224% 0% 3% 2% 0% 24% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 3% 260%
• Total energy resource potential of the East of England is
264% of the predicted 2020 energy demand.
• Onshore wind could contribute 316% of total demand in
Cambridgeshire - the largest energy resource type
• But the predicted total energy resource must be offset by
physical and operational constraints
12

13. Realistic Energy Resource Potential by County
commercial scale
waste: MSW and
woodland - CHP
small and micro
Large scale PV
Onshore wind:
Onshore wind:
Building scale
solar thermal)
solar (PV and
Energy crops
Sewage gas
Waste wood
Heat pumps
Wet organic
Poultry litter
Energy from
small scale
Landfill gas
woodland -
Managed
Managed
Boilers
Hydro:
Straw
waste
C&IW
Total
scale
Location
THERMAL AND ELECTRICITY (% OF 2020 DEMAND)
Essex 1.2% 0.0% 0.3% 0.4% 0.0% 0.1% 1.4% 0.0% 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 2.3% 6.7%
Hertfordshire 0.8% 0.0% 0.4% 0.4% 0.0% 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.0% 0.3% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 3.3% 7.0%
Bedfordshire 1.7% 0.0% 0.5% 0.6% 0.0% 0.2% 2.8% 0.3% 0.4% 0.6% 0.0% 0.7% 0.3% 0.1% 0.0% 4.1% 12.3%
Cambridgeshire 3.2% 0.0% 0.4% 0.8% 0.0% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.2% 0.3% 0.1% 0.5% 0.5% 0.0% 0.2% 3.1% 9.8%
Norfolk 4.4% 0.0% 0.4% 0.7% 0.0% 0.5% 0.3% 0.0% 1.1% 1.6% 0.0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 1.4% 3.0% 14.5%
Suffolk 3.9% 0.0% 0.4% 0.8% 0.0% 0.5% 0.4% 0.0% 0.7% 1.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.9% 4.4% 14.0%
TOTAL 2.2% 0.0% 0.4% 0.6% 0.0% 0.2% 0.9% 0.1% 0.4% 0.6% 0.0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 3.1% 9.7%
• This prediction is moderated by constraints in the supply
chain which limit the uptake of renewable technologies.
• It is also moderated by other constraints such as the
cumulative impact of adjoining wind farms.
• These constraints provide a more realistic estimate of the
uptake of energy resource potential in 2020 given current
conditions
13

14. Effective Renewable Energy Contribution
The effective contribution of renewable energy generation in the East of England is
estimated to be about 10% of projected demand by 2020.
Energy from waste
Wind is at 1% of has largest uptake –
technical potential – Most of these are
approaching but at limit
how much more is
possible? technical potential
14

15. 4: ENERGY OPPORTUNITY MAPS
15

16. East of England
Energy
Opportunity
Map
16

17. North Subregion
Energy
Opportunity
Map
Cambridgeshire,
Norfolk and Suffolk
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18. East Subregion
Energy
Opportunity
Map
Essex

19. West Subregion
Energy
Opportunity
Map
Hertfordshire and
Bedfordshire
19

20. 5: DISSEMINATION AND
DELIVERY
20

21. Local Dissemination
• Study Report on Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
Capacity to Local Authorities in the East of England
– focus on local dissemination and delivery
– maps and data tables on ArcView Publisher
• Key conclusions for action
– On-shore wind generation – Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
– Energy from waste – Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire
– Need for further local assessments to identify projects
• Opportunities for local dissemination
– Need County and local seminars to present study results
– Opportunities to link into Cambridgeshire CFIF and CEF
– On-going work on dissemination with Suffolk planners
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22. Local Delivery
• Energy Opportunity Maps
– Combined study results for three subregions
– Areas with energy resources and DH/CHP opportunities
– Need for further local assessment in key opportunity areas
• Wind turbine and District Heating Opportunities
– Test against Local Plans (LDFs) and Environmental Designations
– Explore with Local Authorities, LEPs and commercial operators
– Discuss with local communities to identify potential projects
• Project feasibility and implementation
– Explore funding sources and undertake feasibility studies
– Secure community support and necessary consents
– Need guidance on local delivery of renewable energy projects
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23. Next Steps
• Local dissemination
– Propose County, local and neighbourhood workshops
– Liaise with Climate Change Skills Fund skills initiatives
– Complement other current initiatives in the East of England
• Local delivery
– Link renewable energy project opportunities to the new localism
– Consider potential for “local renewable energy pilot schemes”
– Feed renewable energy into Neighbourhood Development Plans
• Wider issues
– Identify delivery partners for renewable energy projects
– Build on the growing awareness of tackling climate change
– Focus on feasible priorities for practical local action
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24. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
24

25. Analysis
‘DECC Methodology’
Department of Energy and Climate Change commissioned a study to
develop a standard methodology to conducting capacity assessments.
The resultant methodology (the “DECC methodology”) was released
in 2010 and additional funding from DECC was made available for
regions to complete studies using this standardised methodology,
and contribute towards developing a consistent set of regional and
national targets.
However the emphasis is on developing information which can be
used at a more local level to promote the development of
renewable and low carbon energy, rather than working to region-
wide targets.
25

26. DECC methodology
The simple
bit:
methodology
provided!
The difficult
bit:
methodology
not provided!
26

27. Low Carbon Energy Generation Potential
Assessed using heat mapping
and minimum heat density
viability threshold.
The potential CHP and district
heating capacity is 1,050 MWe.
This is 4.5 times the current
installed capacity (but the
current capacity is dominated
by British Sugar – not district
heating).
27

28. Renewable Potential – Wind Energy
84,599 MW capacity after the hard
and soft constraints have been taken
into account.
Assuming 1 in 10 of these areas is
viable, the practical achievable
resource is 8,460 MW.
To account for uptake limitations, it is
assumed that 10% of this can be
delivered by 2020, giving a realistic
2020 uptake estimate of 846 MW.
At present only 2.1% has been t3
achieved, or 4.0% if turbines in
construction or with planning
consent are included
28

29. Slide 28
t3 Check with Seyhan - wind may be incorrect in current data
turtona, 16/06/2011

30. Renewable Potential – Biomass Energy
• Existing capacity:
• The 38 MWe Ely Power Station biomass plant at Elean Business Park,
in Ely, Cambridge.
• The 38.5MWe Thetford Power Plant in Thetford, Norfolk.
• The 12.7 MWe Eye Power Plant in Suffolk.
• Planned / consented:
• A 40MWe electricity producing plant from burning waste wood in
Thetford Norfolk
• A 60MWe Tilbury Green Power Plant
• A 40 MWe Mendlesham proposed straw fired Biomass Plant in Suffolk
29

31. Renewable Potential – Biomass Energy
Energy crops
• Potential is limited by land availability (and competition for food)
• EoE under severe water stress – significant constraint on energy crop growth.
Woody biomass
• EoE has relatively low wood coverage. Managed woodland accounts for only a
small fraction of total woodland.
Waste wood
• Potentially large resource from C&I waste.
• Generally used for energy schemes by waste agglomerators.
Straw
• Extremely large straw resource but...
• ... There are a number of competing uses which have a higher value to the
farmers such as bedding, fertiliser, etc.
30

32. Energy from waste
MSW and C&I
• Limited by waste hierarchy – need to reduce and recycle first. Likely reductions
over time in the future.
• Needs to be considered on a county basis due to county waste strategies.
Anaerobic digestion
• Primarily from food and animal wastes.
• Requires a significant mass of feedstock – 10s of thousands of tonnes per MW.
• Need to consider feedstock availability and disposal of digestate
Community engagement
• EfW can create significant local opposition. It is likely that good sites are also
close to communities to allow off take of heat.
• Need to achieve community buy-in to ensure this resource use is maximised.
Need to remove out of date perceptions and sell modern systems, and market
the cheap energy.
31

33. Renewable Potential – Hydro Energy
• Hydropower has a very limited role to play in renewable energy
generation.
• 55 kW installed according to the FiT database
• Resource potential is 1.5 MW after the constraints are taken into account
• Only 10% of this accessible potential is achieved before 2020
representing 150 kWe in total...
... a negligible resource at a regional scale. BUT can be attractive to
communities and could form a gateway to other schemes.
32

34. Renewable Potential – Large Scale PV
• Large scale photovoltaic arrays or ‘farms’ are a recent concept for the UK due to
subsidy introduced by the UK government
• The financial viability is extremely sensitive to the tariff – changes to FiTs make
future installations highly unlikely.
• Potential uptake by 2020 assumed to be 280 MW, equivalent to circa 56 x 5 MW
farms.
• As of 9/06/2011 the tariff has been cut drastically and it is expected that will have
an impact on the uptake.
• There is currently one 5 MW PV farm development at post planning stage in the
region.
33