Carbon Dioxide emissions figures are those used by DTI for fuel mix disclosure calculations, and represent the emissions at point of use, not the full life cycle. For more information about which figures to use, see Emissions savings for Renewable Energy

Similar savings are achieved from heat production from biomass, again depending the form of heating that is being displaced. The table below can be used, to show savings.

The buy out price sets a floor price (unless the obligation is met in full - see below) but there is no ceiling price. There is a mathematical relationship between the size of the Obligation, the level of the shortfall and the theoretical value of a ROC.

To see how this works in detail see an article by Gaynor Hartnell (though written some time ago, it explains the workings.)

To see recent ROC prices.. look at the NFFO and SRO auction prices, on the NFPA website NFPA website.

See RO annual quotas & buy-out price in table below (years refer to year ending 31st March)

the penalty is an index linked £30 for every MWh that they suppliers fall short of their target.

The buy out money is recycled back to suppliers in proportion to how much renewable electricity they supplied.

Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are the currency of the Obligation and ROCs are used as proof of compliance. Most, but not all, renewable electricity qualifies for ROCs.

see other questions on this FAQ list
What qualifies for ROCs?
What are ROCs worth?

In the relatively straightforward category is Wind, wave, tidal stream, PV, landfill gas, sewage gas and biogas from Anaerobic Digestion. All generating stations would qualify if built after 1990.

It is a bit more complicated, in the case of pure biomass (the fuel has to be less than 10% contaminated by fossil fuels, and various other restrictions); and hydro which qualifies whatever its size if built after 1990, and if it is refurbished and under 20MW. All micro-hydro plant, whenever it was built gets ROCs if it is 1.25MW or less.

The biomass fraction of waste gets ROCs, provided that an "advanced technology" is used, ie gasification or pyrolysis. AD of any waste qualifies for ROCs.

Where it gets complicated is in the case of Co-firing biomass with fossil fuels and for generators located on site of a NFFO project.

The policy resulted in contracts being awarded to renewables generators in order to "secure" a total of 1500MW dnc of renewable by 2000. (For meaning of dnc see glossary.

In all over 3600 MW dnc of renewable capacity was awarded contracts, but much of it was never commissioned. (See paper by G. Hartnell March 2000 on Planning and Renewables : Implications for meeting the targets for background on progress towards NFFO targets.

See descriptions of the NFFO policy on the DTI website

Key features of this policy were the "bankable" contracts which facilitated project financing, and the ability to stimulate renewables' deployment across a range of technologies at different stages of commercial development.

There are two ways of promoting renewables by tilting market conditions to deliver a more sustainable energy future. One is to make sure that today’s consumers pay the full price of energy. That means paying up now for climate change impacts and the costs of dealing with nuclear waste management. This would push energy costs up and there would be no need to subsidise renewables. However this is awkward politically – and it is impossible to know exactly what the true costs should be.

The other way is to subsidise sustainable energy options, to make them competitive, leaving other energy costs broadly where they are. This is politically easier to implement - and that is why we have a Renewables Obligation. (The RPA would like to see other sectors of renewables similarly incentivised, see proposals for a renewable heat obligation.

It is a price we believe is well worth paying!

Following a request for data for a Government report, this has now been mapped to show the projects by location. See a consolidated map for all resources, from where you will find links to separate maps for

• Biogas projects in the UK (as of end 2004)
• Biomass projects in the UK (as of end 2004)
• Hydroelectric projects in the UK (as of end 2004)
• Wind projects in the UK (as of end 2004)
• PV, wind and tidal stream projects in the UK (as of end 2004)

To calculate this, multiply the
Capacity (in MW) x capacity factor (see table below) x 8760 (the number of hours in a year)

Typical capacity factors

• Biodiesel is usually derived from vegetable oil, with very similar properties to diesel. It is produced by combining organically derived oils with an alcohol to produce a Methyl Ester. This is called transesterification.
• Biodiesel meeting the required EN 14214 quality standard will fuel most diesel engines. However, most engine warranties will only cover up to 5% blends of biodiesel with normal diesel, even though many reports show that biodiesel is beneficial to engines.
• Pure vegetable oil or suitably cleaned UCO can be used as a fuel. It can be burned, without processing it into biodiesel, but only in a suitably modified engine.

• Yes, it is legal, as long as you pay the correct amount of tax. If you purchase the biodiesel/ UCO/ SVO from a reputable supplier, the tax should already be included in the price. If you produce or source your own fuel, you are responsible for declaring and paying for your fuel consumption, even if you are using vegetable oil/ UCO bought from a supermarket, restaurant or a local farmer.
• There is a duty on biodiesel of 27.1p per litre of fuel, which is 20p less than regular diesel and petrol. This helps to make biodiesel able to compete on price with fossil fuels.
• Straight Vegetable Oil or Used Cooking Oil is taxed at the same rate as regular diesel, 47.1p per litre.

Click here for HM Revenue and Customs info

• They can be blended in any combination. Blends of 5%-20% biodiesel are quite common, for example.
• First check that your vehicle warranty will not be invalidated. If it’s OK, or if your vehicle is out of warranty, generally it would be recommended that you introduce biodiesel slowly over a number of refills. This is because biodiesel’s solvent properties may cause debris in your fuel system to be washed out and block your fuel filter(s). Gradual introduction allows this cleansing to happen slowly. Also some seals may have swollen slightly from using mineral diesel, and these may shrink rapidly when neat biodiesel arrives in the system, causing engine damage.

You will find that biodiesel as a heating fuel is more expensive than ‘red’ diesel or heating oil.

It is possible to produce a biofuel with very similar characteristics to heating oil (as opposed to diesel), or '35 second oil', which can be used in standard oil fired boilers. At present we are unable to recommend a reliable source of this fuel, although we are looking into it.

If you need to obtain UCO, you could try contacting the dept. of your local authority responsible for waste collection, or search for your local oil collection company.

• The Carbon Trust- Helpline 0800 085 2005
• The National Energy Foundation 01908 665555
• Energy Saving Trust (which has a massive FAQ section on renewables)
• See your local or regional energy efficiency and renewables organisation

• Empower Training (Large scale biomass and energy from waste, also micro-renewables training in development)
• HETAS (Biomass heating)
• BPEC (Solar Thermal)
• Centre for Sustainable Energy (General renewables introduction course)
• Centre for Alternative Technology (Wide range from wind to biodiesel)
• STREEM- Skills Training for Renewable Energy (Includes links to training in wind power, photovoltaics, biomass heating, and full time academic courses)
• National Energy Foundation
• IT Power
• Green Dragon (Wind, solar PV, weekend renewable energy courses)

• DTI Technology Programme
• Carbon Trust Incubators