The first objective of my work was to use the computer model BIOSEM (Biomass Socio-Economic Multiplier) to simulate the socio-economic effects that a 5MW biomass plant based in Buckinghamshire (North of the Thames Valley region) would have on the local community.

I looked at three scenarios using the following feedstock for the plant: 

• Forest residues only 
• Short rotation coppice (SRC) only 
• A combination of both residues and SRC

After some difficulties, the following results were obtained from the model:

Table 1. Total net impact of the bioenergy plant

The residues only case appears to produce the greatest net additional labour income and total net additional jobs. This can be explained by the fact that a residues only plant would not displace any existing agricultural activity (as in both cases involving SRC), but would be a completely new industry therefore creating more new jobs. However, the model also showed that the net additional profit in this case would be negative. This result is due to negative values throughout the model calculations and it does not mean that there is a negative profit but rather that the project would not be undertaken in the first place because not economically viable. The SRC only and SRC and residues cases are not significantly different. This is due to the fact that in the latter case, the SRC is by far the most significant component of the feedstock purely because of its amount and therefore the results are very similar to the SRC only case. However, the number of jobs and profit and labour income are all slightly higher in the latter case because the residues increase the overall feedstock and therefore the plant requirements.

The second objective of my work for TV Energy was to assess how easy it is to use the BIOSEM model for someone with no background in economics. This was done in order to assess the possibility of using such model with local communities (e.g. Local Councils). During this research I found that BIOSEM is not very straightforward to use for someone with no background in economics. A lot of the captions for the data that needs to be inputted are not very explanatory and when an error occurs in the calculations, it is very difficult to track it back to the inputted data to try and solve the problem. Also the User Manual currently available is not very helpful in addressing the issues stated above. As a consequence of this, the results that I have found during my research are not very reliable because a lot of the input data had to be left by default in order to avoid errors.

In order to address these issues, it would be very useful to supply a handbook that clearly explains what data needs to be inputted in the model. Also it would be helpful to incorporate more than one default option to choose from in case the data for the case study considered is not available. Finally it would be helpful if there were more information on why error might occur and how they can be addressed. Such measures would also make the model more interactive and therefore more interesting to use for people from local communities.

The third objective of my work for TV Energy was for me (a university student) to gain some work experience. The experience of working on the BIOSEM model was very interesting because as well as allowing me to learn skills in data analysis and collection, it also gave me the opportunity to learn more about the socio-economic aspects of developing a biomass plant. More importantly it was an opportunity for me to learn, in practice, about international bioenergy initiatives such as Task 29 as well as good experience in the renewable energy field for me to add to my CV, which I am sure has been very useful in helping me obtain my current position as a trainee in a renewable energy consultancy.

Most importantly of all however, this work experience and especially the workshop in Croatia has been a great opportunity for me to make international contacts in the renewable energy field. During the Workshop, as well as hearing interesting presentations on the work that is being carried out in Task 29, I had the chance to meet many interesting people. The socialising during meals and sightseeing trips has been a perfect opportunity to get to know people on a more informal level and make contacts that I am sure will be very useful in the future, given that it is much easier to work with people that you have met face to face beforehand. On top of all this I also had the bonus of visiting Croatia, which is a really nice country that I had never had the chance of visiting before.

In conclusion, working on IEA Bioenergy Task 29 has been a great experience for me, very useful in terms of my chances of getting a good job in the renewable energy field and also very interesting and enjoyable throughout.

Further Information

For more information on Giorgia Franco's 2003 potential Msc Research Areas click here.