DEFRA Biomass fuel methodology

[edit / update model]
This methodology represents greenhouse gas emissions associated with the stationary combustion of biomass and biogas fuels. The data and calculation methodology originates from the UK government department DEFRA, as published in their most recent greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors documentation.

The methodology

Emissions model

The emissions calculation methodology is based upon emissions factors which relate mass- or energy-based quantities of biomass/biogas fuel with their associated quantity of greenhouse gas emissions.

Because the fuels represented in this category are derived from recently grown biomass, the emissions they produce on combustion are almost entirely benign from the point of view of atmospheric warming: the carbon released from the biomass tissues has only recently been sequestered from the atmosphere (during plant growth) and therefore does not represent a net contributor to atmospheric CO2 concentrations. As such, emissions according to this methodology are arealso differentiated into two types:

  • 'indirect' or 'Scope 3' emissions represent those greenhouse gases emitted in association with stages in the fuel production chain such as raw material extraction and fuel delivery, and therefore considered to 'embodied' within the fuel.
  • Emissions which are 'outside of scopes' are equivalent to the CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere during growth of the biomass

Model data

Emissions factors relating to the following calculation requirements are available for all fuel types:

  • indirect emissions by mass: Scope 3 emissions on the basis of fuel mass
  • indirect emissions by energy: Scope 3 emissions on the basis of energy consumed
  • non-scope / biogenic emissions by mass: Biogenic emissions on the basis of fuel mass
  • non-scope / biogenic emissions by energy: Biogenic emissions on the basis of energy consumed

Similar methodologies

The DEFRA methodologies for the stationary combustion of conventional fuels are available on the basis of fuel mass, volume or energy yield.

How to use this category

Choosing a specific activity type

To use this methodology, specify the fuel type using the fuel drill down choice.

Activity data required

Since emisisons according to this methodology are directly proportionate to fuel quantity, the quantity of fuel used must be specified using either the mass or energy profile item values.

Results and calculation

Discover returns the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the quantity of fuel specified. The following discrete amounts are returned:

  • indirectCO2e: indirect CO2e emissions
  • bioCO2: biogenic CO2 emissions
Users should note that all quantities (including the separated CH4 and N2O emissions) are expressed in terms of CO2e - the quantity of CO2 which would exert the same atmospheric warming effect and the emissions quantity.

UIDLabel
BD1RNUNDUBYM biogas
6HEWHIYO1VG4 grasses/straw
XYAO74CPCNVD wood chips
WH0GEKE33FCK wood logs
YVBTXR9VFLJC wood pellets
Energy consumed
Mass of fuel consumed
Name: DEFRA_Biomass_fuel_methodology
Provenance: DEFRA
Parent Category: Fuel combustion by DEFRA
Full path: /business/energy/stationaryCombustion/defra/biomass
biogas biogenic biomass calculation combustion defra defra_annex9 emission_factor fuel indirect lca stationary UK