The overall objective of BEGIN is to deliver the breeding programme and plant materials that will allow further improvement of the short rotation coppice (SRC) willow crop, focussing on the generation of high yielding, pest and disease-resistant elite genotypes that are optimal for UK environmental conditions.

A network of companies and research institutes active in bioenergy in the UK established by SUPERGEN Biomass and Bioenergy Consortium. The BRF provides a stimulating and lively forum for the discussion of the most up to date issues in the thermal biomass conversion community.

A network for all researchers, developers and implementers of biomass gasification. Information is provided on the technology, its application and specific topics.

GasNet is co-ordinated by the Department of Chemical Engineering, TU-Vienna with Prof. Hermann Hofbauer as co-ordinator.

IGER has four research sites in the UK - three in Wales (Aberystwyth, Bronydd Mawr & Trawsgoed) and one in Devon (North Wyke). Its mission is to determine viable options for grassland-dominated landscapes and land use systems that lead to a sustainable rural economy, a multi-functional healthy environment, and a safe and high quality food chain. This will be achieved by undertaking integrated research aimed at better understanding the interactions between plants, soil, microbes, livestock, food, the environment and humans.

PyNe - The Biomass Pyrolysis Network - a global network of active researchers and developers of fast pyrolysis, has been established to discuss and exchange information on scientific and technological developments on pyrolysis and related technologies for the production of liquid fuels, electricity and chemicals.

The Rural Economy and Land Use Programme

The SUPERGEN Biomass and Bioenergy Consortium aims to provide a recognised focus for UK biomass and bioenergy activities that unites key stakeholders and academia through leading edge research in renewable energy

A whole systems approach to bioenergy demand and supply in the UK

The TSEC-BIOSYS project aims to conduct innovative multi and inter-disciplinary research from a whole systems perspective. It will provide authoritative and independent answers on technical, economic, environmental and social issues related to the development of bioenergy in the UK. In particular, it will investigate:

ThermalNet- the new European Network for biomass pyrolysis, gasification and combustion.

ThermalNet consists of three technologies: pyrolysis (PyNe), gasification (GasNet) and combustion (CombNet) and is funded through Altener in the Intelligent Energy for Europe Programme operated by DG TREN.

The UK Energy Research Centre's mission is to be the UK's pre-eminent centre of research, and source of authoritative information and leadership, on sustainable energy systems.

UKERC undertakes world-class research addressing whole-systems aspects of energy supply and use, while developing and maintaining the means to enable cohesive UK research in energy.

To strengthen further the Energy sector within Wales and to facilitate the more rapid commercialisation of developments, the academic groups, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, have combined to create the Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC). WERC is a virtual centre, based at the Engineering Centre for Manufacturing and Materials (ECM2 ) at Port Talbot. WERC will enable much closer collaboration between the groups, which will lead to the development of integrated energy projects. An industrial membership scheme will enable early commercial involvement in projects.