Abertay University helps planners reach decision on bio-energy projects
Abertay University is hoping to come up with a way to help planners decide whether to approve bio-energy projects like the wood-burning power plant proposed for Dundee harbour.
The site of the proposed biomass plant for Dundee's docks.
It hosted a meeting of experts yesterday to discuss how to design a framework for working out how sustainable developments will be, and their impact.
Thomas Kurka, environmental project officer at Abertay, said, "Creating more capacity for bio-energy production is one very important way we can protect our energy supplies in the future.
"However, there aren't currently any sustainability tools to compare different strategies thoroughly and help stakeholders with different viewpoints develop plans and reach agreement.
"By working with these experts, we're looking to ensure future plans are credible, transparent and readily accepted by everyone affected, including members of the public."
Supporters of bio-energy have argued there are sound reasons for moving towards energy production from natural, renewable sources such as woodchip or organic waste.
However, opponents believe there are also valid concerns about the health and environmental impacts.
Effects
Dundee councillors recently called for more information about the potential effects of Forth Energy's plan for a biomass plant at the harbour.
The company claims the plant would produce enough electricity to power 160,000 homes, but campaigners are worried about emissions from the 100m stack.
With such proposals often mired in controversy, Abertay is hoping it can come up with a planning tool to help all interested parties understand what a particular project involves.
Representatives of the Scottish Government, local councils, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Forth Energy took part in yesterday's meeting with the university's environmental assessment experts.
They looked at the alternatives for producing bio-energy in Tayside and Fife, the procedure for selecting sustainability criteria and the challenge of deciding which sustainability indicators are the most important.
Dr David Blackwood, who leads the university's environment division, said, "This is another important project we're running at Abertay, to give a real practical benefit to all stakeholders and decision-makers involved in sustainable energy generation for Tayside, Scotland and across the UK.
"This work builds on other successful projects, including the 3D visualisation of the new Dundee Waterfront plans, and recent work to model the impacts of soil on climate change, and on cleaning dangerous chemicals from our waterways.
"This practical focus is what really sets Abertay apart."
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