Area | Action | Timescale | Lead | Progress |
Supporting Developments | Consider findings from gap analysis work undertaken by SRF and take appropriate action. | First Quarter 2010 | Scottish Government (SG) | · Microgeneration gap analysis complete July 2009. Report under consideration as part of the workstreams of the RHIG |
Information and Advice | Undertake a heat mapping pilot with Highland Council, in conjunction with CoSLA, and promote the findings to all 32 Local Authorities. | Ongoing - provisionally Summer 2010 | SG; Highland Council | · Work is currently ongoing to collect a full data set to incorporate into the model. · When completed it is intended that the process can be used as an example to other local authorities. |
Publish guidance for developers considering new build thermal power stations. | 2010 | SG | · In March we published our guidance for new thermal power stations in Scotland. We also introduced our Biomass Scoping Opinion template. |
Work with the Carbon Trust, through the Biomass Accelerator Programme, to target Scottish companies that are high heat users, with a view to getting them to switch to renewable heat. | end March 2012 | Carbon Trust | · Contacted 100 companies by End July 09. · Complete 20 energy audits by end December 2009. · Carbon Trust are supporting a number of successful applicants from the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme. |
Provide support and advice through the Regional Advice Network (RBAN), key tasks: co-ordinate support/advice from other key agencies; undertake marketing programme. | End December 2011 | FCS | · Ongoing · Network of 5 Biomass Development Officers in place · GB-wide development study for Woodfuel Suppliers completed · Resource assessment of arboricultural arisings nearing completion. · Biomass Exchange study completed · Series of RBAN Biomass for Business events have taken place with more scheduled (see www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/Current%20Events.stm) · Series of woodfuel training sessions across Scotland in October and November · Barriers to Uptake of Biomass by LAs study presented at Sustainable Scotland event in October |
Skills | FREDS Renewable Heat group to consider specific skills needs for renewable heat and to feed this into the Renewable Energy Skills Group | Ongoing | FREDS Renewable Heat Group/ SG | · Newly formed FREDS Skills Group will focus on specific areas in over the next year - Renewable Heat is planned to be one of the first that they will address. · The RHIG will ensure that the skills group are fully informed of industry requirements. |
Regulation | Ensure that Scottish interests are taken into account in the design of the RHI. | Ongoing | · SG | · Scottish Government has responded to the UK Government RHI consultation to ensure Scottish interests are covered and will continue to seek. · The new UK coalition government have indicated it will set out detailed proposals on its commitment to renewable heat through the Spending Review. · UK Government formal announcement it will introduce RHI, await details. |
Developing the woody biomass sector. Woodfuel availability and supply chain. | Maintain progress against the actions identified in the Wood Fuel Task Force, keys tasks are: Improve accuracy of forecasting, and develop long-term contracts and greater transparency in the market. | End 2011 | Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) | · Evaluation report of SBSS carried out by AEA including 3 SBSS case studies. · Case studies presented at Biomass for Business events |
Support Investment | Run the SBHS to assist SME's to adopt biomass heat technology. | End March 2011 | SG; FCS | · Results of round 3 announced on 20 May 2010. 16 applications (totalling 6.4 MW) were awarded total funding of over £1 million. · A final call for applications was issued on 2nd June 2010 |
Continue funding via CARES & SRDP to support renewable heat installations including demonstrator DH | April 2011 | SG & CES | · Both schemes continue to fund renewable heat installations. |
Fiscal and Regulatory measures | Continue to support the generation of electricity from renewable sources via the RO, and continue to provide enhanced support for AD and biomass CHP. | Ongoing progress | SG | · This support continues to be provided under the RO. · Banding introduced April 2009 with a commitment to end March 2027. |
Air quality | Promote best practice and provide guidance on air quality. | Ongoing progress | SG | · Consultation underway on Environmental Protection UK - Biomass and Air Quality Guidance for Scottish Local Authorities |
Energy from Waste | Support development of AD through Zero Waste Scotland | 2009-11 | SG | · Successful applications to round 8 of the Organics Capital Support Programme have now been announced. Projects set to be completed by 1 March 2011 |
Quantify how much energy from waste (including AD) can contribute to renewable heat generation in Scotland | Published June 2010 | SG | · SG asked Sustainable Development Commission to undertake the research. · The study was published on 18 June 2010 |
Develop proposals for advancing Scottish innovation in relation to EfW technology | February 2010 | Scot Ent, ETP, Scottish Whisky Research Institute | · Study completed to look at the opportunity for the application of innovative low-carbon energy technology, including EfW, in the Scottish whisky industry. This work will inform future intervention in relation to EfW innovation. · The results will be discussed with SWRI & ETP shortly. |