Renewable Energy Business Groups

Renewable Energy Business groups have been set up by CMS UK in response to the enthusiasm from all types of business to investigate and take forward renewable energy opportunities and the use of crops for energy creation for both heat and power.

Everyone is welcome to attend and become a member and each group's future programme is prepared to meet members' needs and interests, as well as identifying the end markets for energy crops.

This could include details of growing Willow and Miscanthus as well as conventional crops, following the process right through to understanding the opportunities for bio-mass heat boilers, Combined Heat & Power (CHP) systems and Co-firing with coal at power stations, all from the growers and users prospective.

There will also be a chance to investigate the feasibility of using conventional crops such as wheat or oilseed rape to produce bio - fuels, or even energy from waste.

CMS UK acts as the group Secretariat and membership provides:

• Advice on the reduction of energy costs.
• An opportunity to network.
• A forum to discuss the pros and con's of any renewable energy project.
• Access to a wide range of knowledge on renewable energy held by CMS UK.
• Advice on project development.
• Access to funding advice.
• Extra negotiating strength when dealing with equipment suppliers or grant providers.
• Strong credibility when approaching potential customers for renewable fuel or energy.
  

In addition to these valuable benefits, which come from group membership, there are also quarterly meetings, monthly newsletters and the opportunity to organise visits to energy growers, machinery manufacturers and projects that are in operation.

When projects develop to a stage that require feasibility studies, grant applications and business plans, members can access CMS UK's consultancy services at preferential rates.

Keith Roberts from CMS UK explains

" We have already visited such schemes as the BiECC Ltd Biomass project in Eccleshall Staffordshire, to see Miscanthus crops, and a CHP system at Harper Adams University which burns bio-mass for heat and electricity production. This illustrated that the production system from beginning to end really works. "

In addition to these valuable benefits, which come from group membership, there are also quarterly meetings, monthly newsletters and the opportunity to organise visits to energy growers, machinery manufacturers and projects that are in operation.

Joining a Rural Energy Business Group

If you are a potential producer of energy (fuel crops or gas) or you have a use for renewable energy in your business and you are interested in joining a group - act now and contact CMS UK.