UKRI Smart Data Research Fellowship: Geospatial AI for sustainable biomass expansion and decarbonisation in the UK

Meeting the UK’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require rapid changes in how we produce energy and materials. Alongside wind, solar and other renewables, one of the most promising nature-based options is the expansion of perennial energy crops such as willow, poplar, and miscanthus. These crops can grow quickly on lower-grade farmland, store large amounts of carbon, and provide sustainable raw material for bioenergy and new biodegradable products. However, despite their potential, the UK currently lacks the evidence and tools to show where these crops should be grown, how much biomass they can produce, and how to balance carbon, biodiversity, and economic priorities. This evidence gap means that policies and investments in biomass often rely on small-scale trials or outdated information, slowing down the green transition.

This Fellowship aims to fill that gap by creating the UK’s first national-scale “geospatial AI smart data” (GeoAI-SMART) system to guide sustainable biomass production. The system will combine high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, LiDAR, field measurements, and national climate, soil, and land-use datasets. These diverse sources will be analysed using the latest advances in artificial intelligence to detect bioenergy crop types, estimate their growth and yield, and map where new plantations could deliver the most benefit. The system will be continuously updated and able to test different “what-if” scenarios, such as how climate change or new policies might affect future opportunities.

The project has three main objectives. First, to identify where perennial energy crops are already being grown across the UK, and under what conditions they thrive. Second, to measure how much biomass and carbon storage these crops can deliver across different landscapes. Third, to locate the most suitable areas for expansion that maximise carbon removal, protect biodiversity and soil health, and support rural economies. By linking scientific evidence with scenario modelling, the project will produce an adaptive planning tool that can respond to future environmental and market changes.

GeoAI-SMART will be co-developed with government, land managers, and conservation bodies to ensure its findings are both practical and relevant. National policymakers will be able to test the carbon and economic impacts of different land-use choices. Farmers and landowners will gain clear guidance on which crops are most suitable for their soils and climate. Investors and rural development organisations will be able to evaluate long-term returns and supply chain resilience.

In doing so, the Fellowship will create a step-change in how biomass is planned and delivered in the UK. It will provide the first operational, high-resolution map of energy crops, predictive models linking environment and yield, and decision tools that balance climate, nature, and economic goals. The result will be a shared evidence base to accelerate the UK’s green transition, strengthen rural communities, and position the UK as a leader in sustainable bioenergy and biomaterials.