Joint call for research proposals – Sustainable Bioenergy

Bioenergy is an energy source derived from organic matter, or biomass. It can be as low-tech as burning wood on an open fire or as high-tech as developing advanced production methods for biofuels. The unifying factor with all bioenergy sources, however, is that the carbon they contain (and emit when used) comes from plants, and those plants got their carbon from the atmosphere. As such, bioenergy is considered to be renewable.

I realised the significant potential of bioenergy, when I was informed that not only is it is the largest single source of renewable energy today, but it has also been recognised as having the highest technical potential for expansion amongst renewable energy technologies by the International Energy Agency.

Therefore, the recent announcement of joint call for research proposals for collaborative projects in this area is very agreeable news. The launch of this call will bolster research ties between UK and Indian bioenergy research communities and contribute to the global challenge of ensuring secure, low carbon energy.  It is also personally very gratifying to colleagues from RCUK India and me, who worked along with the funding agencies, BBSRC and DBT to organise a joint workshop in Delhi last year on this subject. The recommendations from the invited experts in this workshop have defined the scope of this call.

The publication of this call has, in fact, been awaited eagerly by both the research communities particularly after the announcement by UK Minister for Universities and Science, David Willets within a month of this workshop in Delhi. A pre-announcement of the call on the websites of BBSRC and DBT soon followed this statement from the Minister.

In his recent blog Professor Douglas Kell, the Chief Executive of BBSRC, has also noted the significance of this bilateral call.  Considering the need to intensify RD&D efforts in this area, like him, I am pleased that UK and Indian researchers have got this opportunity to contribute towards sustainable bioenergy production and use. I can’t wait to see what excellent proposals are put forward!