Cereals 2015 has attracted a wide range of renewable energy companies offering visitors a chance to explore new technologies that can provide cheaper energy and new income streams at a time when farming incomes are under severe pressure.

More than 25 companies are exhibiting in the Renewables area, with several more in the business and environment areas of the site.

Farmers and landowners can learn more about a fresh approach to carbon trading that could unlock extra income.

AR Carbon aims to improve soil fertility naturally and in doing so increase the amount of carbon stored (sequestered) in that soil.

This carbon can then be sold to big businesses wishing to offset their own emissions – with 100 hectares of land typically generating an extra income of around £4,000 a year.

AR Carbon tests the soil and suggests ways soil quality can be improved naturally. In time, this will increase the amount of organic matter in the soil, which helps capture more carbon.

Typically there will only be a 1% increase in organic matter over a 10-year period providing a return of £4,000 a year for every 100 hectares, says the company.

Anaerobic digestion plant operators can increase biogas production by improving their silage clamps, research published by Cranfield University has shown.

The study shows that using high quality covers with an underlay, achieving optimum chop length and using sloping wall clamps minimises losses and produces high quality silage.

Clamp manufacturer Bock UK will explain more about the research at Cereals. The information has been used to create a best practice document on achieving maximum methane yields.

The company will be showing its double-layer Kombi2Plus silage sheet and Silofix belt, designed to provide an airtight seal in all conditions.

Solar energy specialist Lightsource Renewable Energy says that despite recent changes to legislation there is still plenty of opportunity to invest in solar technology.

Developers of solar farms larger than 5MWp, which is around 25 acres of land, now have to bid for funding through Contracts for Difference (CfD). This competitive auction divides renewable energy technologies into two pools – established and less established – with solar companies competing against the likes of onshore wind for the same budget.

Of 27 projects approved in the first bidding process just five were solar farms. Lightsource won funding for a 14MWp project in Shropshire, showing that larger developments are still possible.

Lightsource is also offering rural businesses the chance to cut electricity bills with a new rooftop solar tariff of just 5p/Kwh for premises with a roof space greater than 400sq m.

RenEnergy is focusing on harvesting the potential benefits by installing solar PV on otherwise unused land and spaces, advising on roof- or ground-mounted schemes.

The company is launching its latest Solar PV innovation, RenPark, a solar car port designed and built in partnership with Hi-Span. The system is based on the firm’s Ground Mount frames, offering a revenue-generating solution for car parking and electric vehicle charging.

Energy Innovations is showing the newest addition to its product range, Weiss boilers. These over-650kW fully automatic biomass boilers burn wood chip, wood pellet and a range of other wetter fuels efficiently.

Weiss offers biomass boilers for systems providing water and steam heat for CHP and process heat. Energy Innovations currently uses their Multicrat series (650kW-2MW) but can supply biomass boilers from the full range.

Qila Energy is building sub-250 kW AD plants for arable and dairy farmers that it
claims can handle a far greater volume and range of feedstocks than other AD plants, including up to 80% straw-based manures.

Typical diets for a Qila small-scale AD plant are farmyard manures, slurries and grass silage and overall retention time is just one month.

A small-scale digester provides valuable income and organic fertiliser, while heat from the CHP engine can benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The company provides 100% finance for its AD plants and can arrange planning permission and grid connection as well as training and support once the plant has been commissioned.

Farmers who successfully opt for full funding receive market rates for the feed material, an operator’s fee and ground rent.

Experts from Hallmark Power are offering advice on the suitability of renewable options – wind turbines, solar panels or anaerobic digesters – for farm businesses.

A wide range of information is available, from choosing a suitable site and planning permission through to financing options and generating income. Information on renting land to Hallmark Power for turbine installations is also available.

Biomass and renewable energy specialists, Eco2 Ltd, is seeking new growers and suppliers of straw, miscanthus and wood chip for its power stations.

Its 38.5MW Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant in Lincolnshire started commercial operation in September 2014, and generates enough electricity to power 65,000 homes.  The plant requires approximately 240,000t of fuel per year.

Eco2 is also sourcing fuel for the 42MW Brigg Biomass Plant in North Lincolnshire, due to be completed in late December.

Construction of the 44.2MW Snetterton Renewable Energy Plant in Norfolk began in January this year, and the plant will generate enough electricity for 82,000 homes.

Cereals takes place at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 June. Tickets cost £24 each (£20 for students) and are available at www.cerealsevent.co.uk

BASIS members can claim a maximum of six CPD points per day – two for attending the event and four more from the 12 further points available from the exhibitor knowledge trail. NRoSO members can claim six points for the whole event – two points for visiting and a further four from eight offered on the trail.

Further information at www.cerealsevent.co.uk