Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator (B2C2)

In 2011 E4tech developed the Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator (B2C2) for the UK National Non-Food Crop Centre (NNFCC) and the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for estimating the emissions associated with using different solid and gaseous biomass feedstocks for heat and power.

E4tech developed GHG emissions default values for a wide range of biomass feedstocks used in the UK for electricity, heat and biogas generation. The calculation method reflects the GHG emissions calculations and savings guidance provided in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and the European Commission’s report on sustainability requirements for the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources in electricity, heating and cooling. The feedstocks for which default carbon intensities have been developed include different types of cakes and meals (such as wheat DDGS, olive cake and oilseed rape meal), dedicated energy crops (such as short rotation coppice, forestry and energy grasses) and a series of wastes (such as forestry residues, end-of-life timber, agricultural residues, saw-mill residues and refuse derived fuel).

The latest updates to the calculator were carried out in 2015, along with a series of workshops to equip users of the calculator with the basic knowledge and skills required to carry out a fuel chain GHG assessment. Whilst ongoing updates and support are no longer provided on the B2C2, the calculator is still used to assist generators in calculating and reporting their GHG emission savings under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Renewables Obligation (RO).

The B2C2 calculator is available for download here.

User guides developed by E4tech can be accessed from Ofgem.

E4tech have in-depth knowledge of low-carbon heating, power and transport, and are experienced in providing economic, technical, policy and sustainability advice to both governments and industry. For more information about E4tech’s work in alternative fuels, see  https://www.e4tech.com/bioenergy-biochemicals.php