Assessing the feasibility of vertical farming for second generation bioenergy crops

生物能源是一种很有前途的可再生能源，来自于专门的第二代（2G）作物，如快速生长的木本物种或能源草。这些作物在生长过程中将大气中的碳吸收到它们的生物量和土壤中，因此当它们被用于发电时，部分或全部产生的碳排放已经被隔离了。生物能源提供了降低大气二氧化碳浓度的双重好处，同时通过直接发电和液体生物燃料提供能源安全。随着可再生能源目标的增加，以及对负排放技术（如生物能源与碳捕获和储存（BECCS））的兴趣的增加，对土地的压力也在增加。为了实现这些目标（到2050年，全球土地总面积约为7%，相当于美国国土面积），将需要大量土地进行转化，这将导致潜在的负面环境影响，以及土地与粮食的潜在竞争。一种可以减轻土地压力的选择是“垂直农业”。垂直农业允许作物以垂直的形式种植，例如在堆叠的板条箱中，比目前的做法更适合每片土地面积的作物。垂直农业因减少农作物占用的土地而受到越来越多的关注。目前，该方法仅应用于粮食作物，对2G生物能源作物的适用性知之甚少。该奖学金将是首个评估2G生物能源垂直农业可行性的研究。我将与加州大学戴维斯分校的园艺科学家和南安普顿大学的工程师合作，评估目前垂直农业的实践，并为2G生物能源作物设计一个定制系统。使用技术经济模型，我将估算与传统生物能源种植相比，使用垂直农业生物能源的成本和环境影响。我还将回顾传统种植的2G生物能源的生态系统服务如何受到垂直种植的影响。在与英国最大的生物能源电力生产商Drax协商后，我将确定垂直农业如何影响他们的商业运作。使用空间模型，我将确定在英国垂直农业生物能源可以部署的地方，以及使用负排放技术碳捕获和储存生物能源（BECCS）部署它的可行性。我将考虑英国未来可能的土地使用，超越历史上的土地管理，考虑激进的土地使用替代方案。考虑到不同的地理、气候和政治优先事项，美国当前和未来的土地利用有很大的不同。我将与加州大学戴维斯分校的科学家合作，确定如何在美国部署垂直农业生物能源。最后，在与商业、能源和工业战略部（BEIS）协商后，我将概述促进垂直农业生物能源传播所需的政策创新和监管环境，以最大限度地提高经济、社会和环境效益。这项研究是发展的早期阶段，因此属于工业战略的目标，投资于科学，研究和创新。如果这项技术被证明是可行的，垂直农业生物能源有可能提供清洁能源，提高供应安全，并通过减少对进口的依赖来加强供应链。这种创新技术有吸引外来投资的潜力，由于单位土地面积的产量增加，也有出口的机会。如果与BECCS相结合，垂直农业生物能源将通过为当地社区提供培训和就业机会来促进当地经济增长。该奖学金将是将世界级研究成果转化为利润丰厚的商业成果的第一步。

Bioenergy, from dedicated second-generation (2G) crops such as fast growing woody species or energy grasses, provide a promising renewable energy source. These crops draw carbon from the atmosphere into their biomass and the soil during growth, so when they are utilised for energy generation, some or all of the resulting emissions have already been sequestered. Bioenergy offers the dual benefit of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, whilst providing energy security through both direct electricity generation and liquid biofuels. As renewable energy targets increase, and interest in negative emissions technology (such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)) increases, pressure on the land increases. Large amounts of land would need to be converted to meet these targets (approximately 7% total global land area, about the size of the USA, by 2050), resulting in potential negative environmental impacts, as well as potential competition for land with food. One option, which could alleviate this pressure on the land, is 'vertical farming'. Vertical farming allows crops to be grown in a vertical formation, for example in stacked crates, fitting much more crop per land area than is currently practiced. Vertical farming is attracting an increasing amount of attention for reducing the amount of land occupied by crops. At present, this method is only being applied to food crops, and little is known about its suitability for 2G bioenergy crops. This Fellowship will be the first research to assess the feasibility of vertical farming for 2G bioenergy. I will assess the current practice of vertical farming and design a bespoke system for 2G bioenergy crops, in collaboration with horticultural scientist from the University of California Davis and with engineers from the University of Southampton. Using techno-economic modelling, I will estimate the cost and environmental impact of using vertical farming bioenergy compared to traditional bioenergy cultivation. I will also review the how the Ecosystem Services from traditionally cultivated 2G bioenergy may be affected by cultivation using vertical farming. In consultation with Drax, the UKs largest bioenergy electricity producer, I will identify how vertical farming may impact their commercial operations. Using spatial modelling, I will identify where in the UK vertical farming bioenergy can be deployed, and the feasibility of deploying it with the negative emissions technology Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). I will consider possible future land use in the UK, thinking beyond historical land management, to consider radical land use alternatives. Given contrasting geography, climate and political priorities, current and future land use is considerably different in the USA. I will work with scientists at the University of California Davis to ascertain how vertical farming bioenergy could be deployed in the USA. Finally, in consultation with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), I will outline the policy innovations and regulatory environment necessary to facilitate the dissemination of vertical farming bioenergy, to maximise economic, social and environmental outcomes.This research is the early stages of development and therefore falls within the Industrial Strategy's aim to invest in science, research and innovation. Should the technology prove viable, vertical farming bioenergy has the potential to deliver clean energy, improve security of supply and enhance the supply chain through reduced reliance on imports. There is the potential for inward investment in this innovative technology, and opportunities for export due to increased yields per unit land area. If coupled with BECCS, vertical farming bioenergy will promote local growth through training and jobs for local communities. This Fellowship will be the first step in translating world-class research into lucrative commercial outcomes.