Introduction to wood fuel and policy drivers |
Wood fuel heating |
Wood fuel resources |
Grants for wood and wood fuelled heating |
Contacts |
Case Studies
Trees woods and forests in South East England (SEE)
The South East is England’s most wooded Region where significant areas of woodland have survived through the centuries because they provided the building material and fuel for homes and businesses. In particular traditional woodland management techniques such as coppicing have survived and help maintain a diverse range of habitats in these woods which have benefited native wildlife. Over the last century woodland management has declined as substitutes for traditional wood products were preferred.
However, these woods provide a huge potential resource of renewable fuel, which could help mitigate climate change. The interest in wood as a fuel has been slowly growing over the last 15 years but the surge in the price of fossil fuels in 2007-8 alongside concerns about climate change and fuel security has stimulated interest further. There are some excellent examples, but potential for many more. We hope the lessons we can learn as part of the Woodheat Solutions project will help us bring this interest to reality.
Woodland cover
| Total woodland cover in SEE: |
> 270,000 ha
14% of land area |
| Total ancient woodland area: |
> 130,000 ha
48% of woodland area in SEE |
| Forestry Commission: |
> 35,000 ha
13% of woodland area |
Population
Total population of SEE: 8,308,700 (16% of England)
Total population of London: 7,556,900 (> 15% of England)
Production
270,000 ha of mainly broadleaved woodland has the potential to sustainably produce at least 1,000,000 m3 per year. The Forestry Commission’s 35,000 hectares currently produce over 166,000 m3 per year and we estimate that the other 235,000 hectares produce a similar amount. There are clearly many woods which are undermanaged and our objective is to bring a further 500,000 m3 per year of wood to the market as woodfuel by 2020.
Grant support for woodlands in SEE
The Forestry Commission administers the grants provided to woodland owners through the English Woodland Grant Scheme. Details of how this is targeted can be found on: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7bchuk
Introduction to wood fuel and policy drivers
Wood-fuelled boilers offer a technically simple and cost-effective means to heat
buildings whilst realising large savings in carbon emissions. The CO2 that is released
when wood fuel is burnt is equivalent to that taken from the atmosphere through
photosynthesis during tree growth. Even allowing for CO2 generated during planting,
harvesting, processing and transport of the wood, replacement of fossil fuel with wood
fuel will typically reduce net CO2 emissions by over 90%, assuming that the wood
supply is managed sustainably.
Many of the policies that are currently driving forward woodfuel use in the UK relate to
renewable electricity generation, but since heat energy accounts
for almost half of all energy used in the UK, total energy and heat
energy targets are also starting to emerge.
| Fuel Type |
Kg CO2 per kWh |
| Coal |
0.32* |
| Oil |
0.25* |
| LPG |
0.214* |
| Natural Gas |
0.19* |
| Biomass |
0.025** |
*Defra, July 2005, 'Guidelines for Company Reporting on
Greenhouse Gas Emissions'
**PTI, March 2005, 'Carbon and Energy Balances for a
Range of Biofuels Options'
In 2003, Merton Borough Council introduced a mandatory 10%
on-site renewable energy generation requirement for all nonresidential
development over 1000m2. Subsequently, many of the
Local Authorities across the South East adopted this or a more
challenging requirement for new developments.
Mandatory requirements were introduced for new housing
developments in 2008, when the Government introduced the
Code for Sustainable Homes. All new homes must be assessed
against a list of sustainability criteria, including energy and water
efficiency, CO2 emissions and surface runoff. The code uses a 1
to 6 star rating system. From May 2008 all new homes were
required to include a Code Certificate with their Home Information
Pack (HIP) and the Government has announced a 10 year
timetable towards all homes achieving code level 6 (carbon
neutral) by 2016. Many Local Authorities are independently
adopting more challenging timetables towards that target.
For many developments the most economic way in which these
target can be met is through the use of wood fuelled heating.
The National Picture
Climate Change Act (2008)
In November 2008, the UK passed legislation that introduced a
long-term legally binding framework to address climate change,
the Climate Change Act 2008.
The main provisions of the Act include:
- Legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of
26% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 against a 1990 baseline.
- A carbon budgeting system which cap emissions over 5 year
periods.
- The creation of a Committee on Climate Change. An
independent expert body to advise Government on the level of
budgets and report on progress.
Renewable Obligation (2002)
The Renewable Obligation requires licensed electricity suppliers to
supply an increasing percentage of their electricity from
renewable sources. Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are
issued to electricity generators for the units of renewable
electricity they generate. Each supplier is required to present an
appropriate number of ROCs to the regulator Ofgem each year or
pay a buy-out price. Buy-out revenue is recycled back to the
suppliers that presented ROCs in proportion to the number of
ROCs they presented.
From April 2009, the number of ROCs received for each of the
eligible biomass technologies is shown in the table opposite. For
comparison, onshore wind and hydroelectric are allocated
1 ROC/MWh.
| Technology |
No. ROCs per MWh |
| Co-firing of non energy crop (regular) biomass with fossil fuel |
0.5 |
| Co-firing of energy crops with fossil fuel |
1 |
| Dedicated regular biomass (electricity only) |
1.5 |
| Dedicated regular biomass with combined heat and power (CHP) |
2 |
| Dedicated biomass with energy crops (with or without CHP) |
2 |
| Advanced biomass conversion technologies (anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification) |
2 |
Renewable Energy Strategy (2009)
In 2007, the UK agreed to binding EU targets to help deliver 20%
of the total EU energy (electricity, heat and transport) from
renewable sources by 2020. The UK’s share of this target is 15%
of the total energy consumed in the UK, which is a 10 fold
increase on the 2006 level of 1.5% renewables in our energy mix.
The Renewable Energy Strategy 2009 sets out how the
Government proposes to meet this challenging target.
Carbon Reduction Commitment
The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a mandatory emissions
trading scheme which will affects around 20,000 large private
and public sector organisations across the UK which are metered
half-hourly and consume more than 6000 MWh of electricity.
Participating organisations will be required to monitor their CO2
emissions and purchase an ‘allowance’ for every tonne of CO2
they emit. The Government will publish a league table showing
the comparative performance of participants and the money
raised from the sale of allowances will be recycled back to the
participants. The relative position they hold on the league table
will define how much revenue they receive. The scheme starts in
April 2010.
Forestry Commissions Woodfuel Strategy
The Forestry Commission’s Woodfuel Strategy for England was
launched in 2007. The main aim of the Strategy is to bring an
additional two million tonnes of wood into the market, annually,
by 2020 saving 400,000 tonnes of carbon every year – the
equivalent of 3.6 million barrels of crude oil and enough to supply
250,000 homes with energy. To achieve this target we will be
focusing our efforts on the potential wood resource available in
the 60% of English woodlands that are currently under-managed.
A woodfuel implementation plan is currently being developed
which will set out how the Forestry Commission plans to achieve
the Strategy’s targets.
Renewable Heat Incentive
To help meet the EU 2020 target, the Government has proposed a
Renewable Heat Incentive scheme to expand renewable heat use
from technologies such as solar thermal, ground source heat
pumps and woodfuel heating.
Details of the scheme have not yet been finalised and
Government will be consulting widely on all aspects in 2009, with
an initial consultation at the end of 2009. However, the following
may be considered as potential features:
- It is expected that the incentive will apply to generation of
renewable heat at all scales, whether it is in households,
communities or at industrial scale.
- The incentive should also cover a wide range of technologies
including biomass, solar hot water, air- and ground-source
heat pumps, biomass CHP, biogas produced from anaerobic
digestion, and biomethane injected into the gas grid.
- The RHI will probably be banded for example by size or
technology.
- At smaller scales e.g. domestic households Government are
currently considering whether the support payments could be
provided as a lump sum up front.
The incentive payments will be funded by a levy on suppliers of
fossil fuels for heat. These are mainly licensed gas suppliers – but
could also include suppliers of coal, heating oil, LPG etc.
The RHI will provide financial assistance to generators of
renewable heat and is expected to be in place by April 2011.
The Regional Picture
Regional Spatial Strategy
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy was
published in 2004 and now forms part of the Regional Spatial
Strategy. This set out a regional target to produce 5.5% of the
electricity generated in the region from renewables by 2010 and
16% by 2026. The South East has already met it’s 2010 electricity
target and is on track to meet its 2026 target.
Regional Forestry Framework
'Seeing the Wood for the Trees' sets out a framework for the
future development of woodlands and forestry in the South East
with the overarching vision for the South East’s woods to make
an increasing contribution to the sustainable development of
the region, in both rural and urban areas. The four themes of the
framework are shown in the diagram below.
The use of wood as a fuel provides the greatest opportunity to
support the sustainable management of many of the south east’s
woodlands. It effectively provides the secure future for our
woodland resource and helps enhance the ecological, economic
and social benefits these woods provide.
Wood fuel heating
Types of combustion technology
Four types of combustion systems are available, the inclined or
step grate, the ramfeed stoker, the underfeed stoker and the precombustor.
The main factor affecting the choice of combustion
system is fuel moisture content. If combustion is carried out
properly, following the ‘three Ts’ rule (time, turbulence and
temperature), the burning operation should be smoke free.
Fuel handling
There are three discrete elements within fuel handling: reception,
storage and boiler feed. All three need to be considered with
care, since they impact significantly on the cost of the installation
and the on-going operation of the boiler.
Fuel reception
Delivery vehicles must have easy access and tipping or transfer
of fuel must be quick and simple.
Fuel Storage
The size of the fuel store dictates the frequency of fuel deliveries
and must be calculated to suit the boiler and fuel type. The
usable capacity in the fuel store must be based on the output of
the boiler during the coldest time of the year. In addition the fuel
store capacity must also take into consideration the fuel delivery
mechanism, as delivery of part loads will increase the frequency
of deliveries and thus increase the cost of fuel. When utilising
wood pellets the fuel store can be smaller as pellets have an
energy density three times greater than wood chip.
| |
Stoker burner |
Inclined grate |
Underfeed stoker |
| Output (kW) |
<100kW |
>100kW |
3MW |
| Capital cost |
medium |
high |
low |
| Efficiency |
- |
82-86% |
90% |
| Fuel moisture |
<35% |
Up to 70% |
<35% |
| Chip size range |
narrow |
wide |
narrow |
| Ash removal |
manual |
automatic |
automatic |
| Load response |
rapid |
slow |
rapid |
| Retrofit possible |
yes |
no |
yes |
Boiler feed system
The vast majority of wood fuel boilers will have some method
of automatically feeding the fuel from the storage facility to the
boiler. Most storage facilities will have a mechanism for moving
the chip such as a walking floor or an articulated arm which will
move the chip to an auger which will feed direct to the boiler. The
feed mechanism will normally have some form of fire protection
to prevent back burn into the fuel store. In its simplest form this
can be a tank of water connected by a pipe to the auger that has
a wax plug which will melt and flood the auger in case of a back
burn. Some systems have a more sophisticated system of a fire
shutter situated between two augers.
Key Considerations
- Which combustion system – scale of the system, quality
of fuel
- Location and size of storage facility – access for vehicles,
proximity to boiler, frequency of fuel delivery
- Boiler feed design - scale of system, nature of storage facility
Wood ash can be a useful product
Wood burning produces typically less than 1% ash (by volume).
As it is not classified a special hazardous waste, it can be used as
a valuable by-product either as a fertiliser or as a raw material in
brick and cement industries. As a last resort, ash can be disposed
of via a waste disposal company.
How much storage space will I need?
The volume of fuel that has to be stored will be defined by:
- the size of the system
- the frequency of fuel delivery
- the moisture content of the wood fuel
It is important to appreciate that storage facilities need to be
in close proximity to the boiler, unlike oil and gas systems, to
permit mechanical transfer of fuel to the boiler. Ongoing supply of
fuel will be easier if the storage system is capable of receiving
more than a full load of wood chip to take account of void spaces
and to provide a buffer in case the fuel runs out before the
delivery arrives.
Underground bunkers
- Best for large scale installations
- Easy to deliver fuel (simple tipping)
- Expensive for small scale systems
Above ground hoppers
- High tip trailer or front loader delivery required
- Suitable for situations where space is limited
Hook lift bins
- Suitable for situations where space is limited
- Fuel delivery may be complex
Costs
Capital costs
The capital costs of wood-fuelled systems are higher than for
oil or gas, but the outlay can be recovered through lower fuel
costs. The pay back time for the extra capital can be as little as
three to five years. Wood chip fired heating systems of less than
500kW cost between £350-950 per output kW, but for systems
over 500kW, capital costs fall to £350-450 per kW. This covers
the core components; the boiler and handling system, flow and
return systems and piping. Pellet systems tend to be cheaper. The
capital costs of installation of a wood-fired heating system are
variable and additional costs, such as a fuel reception facility and
boiler house etc, may add to them. These figures should therefore
be seen as a guide only. It is also worth noting in recognition of
the potential of wood fuel to reduce carbon emissions, there are
a number of schemes that will give grant support to help cover
capital outlay on renewable energy sources (see fact sheet on
Grants for Wood and Wood Fuelled Heating).
Fuel costs
The price of wood chip varies from 1.8-3.0 p per kWh (input).
Typically it costs from £70 -£110 per tonne depending on the
moisture content, the source of the wood and the distance it has
to travel. The price of wood pellets varies between about 3.1 and
4.5 p per kWh (input), typically costing between £150 and £200
per tonne depending largely on the distance it has to travel. The
higher cost is often acceptable as pellet boilers tend to require
less initial capital outlay.
Ongoing, maintenance and service costs
Modern smaller installations are generally fully automated and
require minimal attention, whereas larger installations tend to
require more regular monitoring and maintenance. A small
modern, fully automated boiler system would simply require an
annual service, for a fee in the region of £400-500. Additional
breakdown costs may also be incurred. Larger boiler installations,
generally above 500kW, require 10-20 minutes attention daily and
will again require an annual service which would cost between
£600-1000. Breakdown and general repair costs are usually
estimated annually at around 3% of the system’s capital costs.
The main task for boiler operators will be the removal of ash. If a
system is running on a good quality fuel this should only take half
an hour every month or so. Some large scale systems will have
an automatic de-ashing system installed however this
containerised ash will still require disposal.
Critical factors affecting cost
- Scale of system: the bigger the cheaper (£/kW installed)
- Engineering fuel storage and reception area
- Access to grants
| |
CO2 (kg CO2 per kWh) |
Fuel Cost (p/kWh) |
| Mains gas |
0.19 |
1.7 – 4.2 |
| Oil |
0.28 |
2.9 – 5.7 |
| Electric |
depends on method of generation |
8.1 – 14.0 |
| Wood Chip |
0.025 |
1.8 – 3.0 |
| Wood Pellet |
0.055 |
3.1 - 4.5 |
Contract options
Turnkey Installation Services
Services
Contractors simply install the fully functional heating
system, all subsequent maintenance and management tasks are
the responsibility of the user, fuel and servicing must be sourced
independently.
Charges
The only costs incurred are for the installation and
construction, all fuel, maintenance, service and repair costs will
be paid in addition to the contract charges.
Turnkey and Service
Services
Contractors will install the heating system and carry out
annual (or regular) services. Extended warranties are often
offered with this contract. It is down to the user to source fuel and
arrange repairs as necessary.
Charges
Installation costs and an annual service charge will be
incurred; in addition to this the user will have to pay for fuel and
maintenance as necessary. Note that it may be possible to buy
the fuel as heat (kWh) rather than by the tonne.
Back-to-Back
Turnkey, operations, maintenance and fuel supply.
The contractor installs the heating system and looks after the
operations, maintenance and fuel supply. The user is involved in
the day-to-day running of the system, although full support and
guidance is offered by the contractor.
Charges
In addition to initial installation costs, the user will pay a
standing charge to cover general management and maintenance
and will also pay pro rata for the heat output, per kWh.
Key considerations
- How much involvement do you want?
- Do you want to purchase heat or fuel?
Energy management contract
Services
An Energy Supply Company (ESCo) installs the system
and manages the entire process, including operation,
maintenance, fuel supply and day-to-day running. The ESCo
remains the owner of the boiler, provides the heat and manages
the system. ESCo’s can also supply the end product (i.e. heat), as
opposed to the raw material for on-site energy generation. In this
case, the user has no involvement in heat generation; they simply
purchase metered renewable heat under an energy supply
agreement. The main control the owner of the building has over
the fuel supply is through the heating contract by including
clauses that for example oblige the ESCo to source a large
percentage of the fuel locally.
Charges
An initial connection fee and ongoing payments for heat
output as provided. This concept eliminates the need for high
capital outlay as purchase of a new heating system is not
necessary.
Split contract
Services
A split contract is offered between the boiler supplier
and the fuel supplier. The boiler supplier installs and looks after
the day-today running of the boiler and the fuel supplier provides
the fuel and arranges deliveries etc. However if issues arise with
the fuel, the user would have to liaise with the fuel supply
company directly, and likewise any issues with the boiler would
have to be resolved directly with the boiler supply company.
Under an Energy Management Contract all such issues would be
resolved without the users involvement.
Charges
The boiler supplier will charge an initial installation fee
and there will be ongoing service and maintenance costs. The
fuel supplier will charge for sourcing and delivering, in addition to
the actual wood fuel.
Planning and regulatory issues
Many wood chip heating installations do not require planning
consent, particularly where they are small and can be
incorporated into existing buildings. The principal issues to be
considered are:
- Visual impact, particularly the chimney
- Noise from engines, boilers, handling equipment and traffic
- Delivery infrastructure
A Planning Policy Statement, specifically relating to Renewable
Energy (PPS 22 and companion guide), is available to guide
planners and developers. It is advisable to consult your local
planning authority at an early stage to ensure that the installation
complies with planning policy. As for all developments, buildings
or areas that are designated in planning terms, eg conservation
areas or listed buildings, can raise specific issues.
Fuel storage and delivery
Traffic
Fuel deliveries are unlikely to vastly increase traffic to the site.
Frequency of deliveries will be variable, depending on system
size, storage capacity and load demand. However, as a guide a
100kW boiler working at full load in winter will require
approximately nine agricultural trailer loads per month, equivalent
to 9 tonnes. Good access for heavy vehicles will be essential to
minimise disruption to local road networks and surrounding
communities.
Storage
Subterranean bunkers are not visible from the ground and are
therefore not likely to incur any planning issues.
Above ground storage - visual impact may be an issue, therefore
may require screening, and must be secure against unauthorised
entry.
Flues/chimneys
Modern wood-fuelled heating systems emit very little smoke.
However, like all combustion systems, the chimney of any wood
burning installation must be:
- Of sufficient height and diameter to remove combustion
products from the flue outlet of the boiler
- Of sufficient height to discharge the products of combustion
so as not to cause nuisance to people either within or outside
the property
- Visually acceptable to the planning authorities
Existing chimneys can be used for retrofit systems, therefore
there are unlikely to be any planning issues arising in this
situation. Existing chimneys can be fitted with a lined flue to
ensure their suitability for wood fuelled appliances.
Key Considerations
- Will the installation cause a visual impact?
- Will traffic to the site increase; how frequently will deliveries
be required?
- Is access to the site adequate?
- How and where will fuel be stored?
- Is chimney height likely to be an issue?
Authorities Involved in Regulating Wood Heating Installations
- < 0.4MW - not subject to control unless in a smoke-free zone
- 0.4MW and 3MW - Local Authority responsible for
authorisations
- >3MW - Environment Agency responsible for authorisation
Emissions
In response to urban air pollution issues, the Clean Air Act
(1956) created smokeless zones in and around the UK’s major
cities. It is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney, caused by
the burning of an unauthorised fuel or use of an unauthorised
appliance. This means that coal, oil or damp wood can not be
used as a fuel unless burnt in an exempt appliance.
Many modern wood-fired boilers are smoke free when fuelled
with dry wood. It is therefore essential that wood-burning
appliances are fuelled by relatively dry material (25-30% MC).
Within a smokeless zone a tall chimney policy will be in place to
encourage dispersion of emissions into the atmosphere. Where
installation of chimneys of any significant height is restricted,
modern clean-up technology is available to reduce gaseous
emissions and eliminate the requirement for dispersion.
The list of smoke control areas can be found here:
uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk/locations.php
In addition a list of exempt appliances can be seen here:
uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk/appliances.php
Building regulations
Part J of the Building Regulations ‘Combustion appliances and
fuel storage systems’ provides full details of the regulations
covering wood-fuelled heating systems. General provisions
which apply to combustion installations include safe
accommodation, sufficient air supply, good ventilation, provision
of appropriate flues and chimneys, re-use of existing flues,
safe access to appliances for maintenance and repair. Revised
Building Regulations came into force on 6th April 2006. For the
latest information visit www.communities.gov.uk/
planningandbuilding/buildingregulations
Wood fuel resources
A number of suitable fuel options are outlined below.
Wood Chip
Wood chips are produced from a wide range of sources such
as forestry timber, forest co-products, arboricultural arisings,
short rotation coppice, reclaimed timber and sawmill residues.
They can be more cost effective than fossil fuels and are most
economical if sourced locally. Wood chips are suited to
automatically-fed larger systems of at least 30 kW. Wood chips
stored dry can be held for several years with little degradation of
quality or loss of energy value. However, in order to prevent
contamination of the chips with stones and clods of earth it is
important to ensure that all storage prior to delivery to end user is
on a solid concrete or tarmac surface.
The most important considerations when buying wood chip are
the moisture content (MC) and the chip size. Moisture content can
vary from 60% in freshly felled timber to 10-12% in kiln dried wood.
There are boilers available that will burn a wide range of moisture
contents, but most boilers work best within specific limits. Ideally
timber will have been seasoned in the round for at least 12
months in order to reduce the moisture content and to maintain
an even moisture throughout the material. Drying woodchip often
creates pockets and/or layers of moisture which some boilers are
unable to burn.
Chip size is less important than the consistency of size within
the chip. As with moisture there are a range of boilers that will
burn different types of fuel. A consistent chip size will feed into
the boiler freely and burn in a predictable way. If there is any
significant variations in the size of chip (as with moisture), the
efficiency of the boiler will suffer.
The other potential issue connected with chip size is longer,
larger slivers within the mixture. These oversize slivers can cause
blockages in the fuel feed by jamming the auger or bridging in
the fuel store. Larger systems tend to have more robust feed
mechanisms so this may be less of an issue.
Things to look for when choosing wood chip fuel
- moisture content
- calorific value
- size of the chip and
- consistency of chip
These will affect the efficiency of the boiler system.
The boiler installer or manufacturer will provide a chip
specification which best suits the boiler. You must ensure
your fuel supplier can meet this specification.
Forestry material
Forestry and woodland management activities produce a large
amount of material suitable for fuel use. This includes all parts of
trees which can’t be used in other ways or which have no
alternative higher value market nearby. The production of
woodfuel from undermanaged woods can help enhance local
biodiversity and increase the productivity and quality of the
woodland as a whole.
The South East is England’s most wooded region with more than
270,000 hectares of existing woodland, which represents 25% of
England’s woodlands. Historically, these woods were actively
managed to supply local markets for fuel and building materials,
but over the last 100 years these markets have declined and
many of the woods are no longer actively managed. The Forestry
Commission estimates that these woods could supply a further
500,000 fresh tonnes (at 55% moisture content).
Short rotation forestry
There is considerable interest in using fast growing native or
exotic tree species in purpose grown plantations to produce
woodfuel. Trees in these plantations would be planted at very
high densities and managed as conventional single stem
plantations rather than coppice. The trees would be harvested
after 8 - 15 years using conventional forestry equipment. This
system is known as ‘short rotation forestry’. Advocates of this
system point to potentially high yields, a well established forestry
industry able to harvest and transport forest products and the
high ‘wood to bark’ ratio in logs and chips produced using this
system. It’s detractors raise concerns over the effects this system
could have on local biodiversity and the potentially high water use
of the system. Providing it is managed in a sustainable way, SRF
may become a useful addition to the woodfuel supply chain in the
future.
Energy crops
Energy crops can be grown to meet the needs of the market and
provide a secure long-term resource. The most commonly grown
energy crops are miscanthus, a fast growing grass, and willow.
Willow is commonly grown under short rotation coppice (SRC)
management. Harvesting is typically carried out in the fourth
year after planting and every subsequent third year. An SRC
plantation can often remain viable for up to 30 years although the
introduction of higher yielding varieties can warrant replanting.
Material is chipped during harvest and can be stored and
handled relatively easily. SRC can provide wildlife habitats for
birds and invertebrates, consequently improving on-farm
biodiversity. Energy crops are widely planted to support power
stations, many of which co-firing biomass with coal.
Arboricultural thinnings or arisings
Local Authorities and tree surgeons produce many thousands
of tonnes of chip and other arisings from garden, amenity and
street trees each year. Much of this is currently landfilled, stored in
anticipation of a demand from the landscaping industry or burnt
on site. With correct processing handling, grading and storing
this is a fuel source that could be used to provide energy. In
the South East many tree surgeons and Local Authorities are
already utilising their arboricultural arisings to supply Slough
Heat and Power’s wood fuelled combined heat and power plant.
Sites are being established around the South East to enable the
aggregation of material that cannot currently feed into the power
station in order to process it into a suitable fuel.
Clean waste wood and timber processing co-products
Many categories of clean (untreated), used wood can be readily
used as fuel, including tree surgery arisings and offcuts and
sawdust from sawmills processing virgin wood. There is greater
regulation of waste wood or non-virgin timber, which includes
reclaimed, unsorted, contaminated or surface treated wood when
it is used as a fuel.
Wood pellets and Logs
Two alternative forms of wood fuel commonly used for
heating are pellets and logs. Wood pellets are mainly produced
from untreated material such as sawdust, pulverised pallets
or reclaimed timber of a low moisture content. The wood is
compressed through a die to form the pellets. Wood pellets range
in size but are typically in the region of 6mm in diameter and
20mm in length. Wood pellets are suitable for small scale systems
that do not have the fuel flexibility of some larger systems, but
also where fuel storage space is limited as they have a higher
energy density than wood chips. Due to the consistency in size of
the pellets they can also be used in specially designed domestic
stoves and boilers. Wood pellets are more expensive than
woodchips, but pellet suppliers are beginning to import pellets
into the region from other areas of the UK and local production is
starting to become established.
Logs are the most well known wood fuel and historically have
been the most popular source of woodfuel. Logs can be used on
open fires or more efficiently in log stoves to provide space
heating to individual rooms however they are used most
efficiently in domestic closed log boilers, to provide space heating
and hot water. Wood briquettes are a similar, less common
alternative, which can be used in place of logs in traditional
manual feed stoves, modern log boilers and larger plant. As with
pellets, they are produced from clean waste wood, such as
joinery off-cuts and sawdust.
Closing the Cycle
By utilising wood either grown or produced on site to generate
heat it is possible to increase the comparative value of the
product, to solve disposal issues and to offset existing fuel costs.
Local Authorities can achieve this ‘closed cycle’ by utilising
clean wood waste that would otherwise go to landfill and their
arboricultural arisings to generate heat for their own portfolio of
buildings. Farmers, foresters, and estate owners also have the
opportunity to close the cycle by utilising wood that has been
grown on site in their boilers. Secondary wood processors such
as furniture manufacturers can use timber off-cuts, dust and
shavings to heat warehouses, timber drying systems and
workshop space.
Key considerations
- Identifying local woodfuel suppliers
- Can you produce your own fuel and close the cycle?
- Are you able to take a variety of fuel sources/sizes or does
fuel need to meet certain specifications?
Security of fuel supply
There is an abundant supply of wood based material available in
the South East which could be used as fuel.
Forestry
A Forest Research study was carried out to establish the
current resource of wood fuel from traditional forest products,
arboricultural thinnings, sawmill residues and energy crops.
This study estimates a total resource of over 550,000 oven dry
tonnes (ODT) per annum in the South East region and London.
550,000 ODT is the equivalent to 2,750 million kWh of input
energy. If you assume 80% efficiency which is easily achievable,
2,200 million kWh could be produced when burnt. This is enough
to heat 100,000 homes . It is important to note that a proportion
of this material will be diverted from alternative markets and
that it may be uneconomical to extract some of the material.
Waste wood
Further to the supply identified above, the post consumer wood
resource is substantial in the South East region. Wood from
construction and demolition, packaging and civic amenity sites
account for 850,000 tonnes. If used in appropriate energy from
waste systems, this could generate 3,400 million kWh and heat
150,000 homes in the South East.
Supply chain and processing
There are a number of wood chip supply companies in existence
or currently being formed to meet the increasing demand, see
www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk for a list of national suppliers.
Wood chip advantages:
- Chip is cheaper than pellet (p/kWh)
- Chip is more readily available
- Chip is more robust when being handled
- Many chip boilers can run on pellets
- Chip requires less energy to produce
Wood pellet advantages:
- Pellet has a higher energy density than chip
- Pellet is uniform in size
- Pellet has a uniform moisture content
- Simplified delivery
- Pellet boilers tend to be smaller and cheaper
Grants for wood and wood fuelled heating
There are various sources of grant aid for supply chain equipment and installation of
wood fuelled heating systems as well as research and development projects. Listed
below were the grant schemes available in the South East region at time of writing, but
for up-to-date information on these and other biomass grants see the biomass energy
centre website at www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk.
The financial contribution will depend on the size of the
installation, type of technology, and the anticipated environmental
benefits. When applying for financial assistance it is important to
consider the length and complexity of the application process, the
time scales and deadlines for applications.
Supply chain
Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)
Details: Funding is available for farmers, growers, foresters, rural
micro-businesses and rural communities to support capital
investment and training in the production and use of woodfuel as
a renewable energy source. Funding is available to farmers,
foresters and contractors towards the purchase of woodfuel
processing equipment such as firewood processors and chippers
to assist in the production of woodfuel, along with associated
transport and storage facilities. Funding is available to rural
communities towards the cost of installing renewable energy
systems in community facilities. As part of the programmes farm
diversification measure farmers can seek funding towards the
cost of installing renewable energy systems which will generate
additional income to the farm business through the sale of heat
or electricity to others through energy supply contracts (ESCo). It is
a competitive process and there is no guarantee of funding
Contact details: www.seeda.co.uk/rdpe
Defra Bioenergy Infrastructure Scheme
Details: This scheme provides grants to farmers, foresters and
businesses to help develop the bioenergy supply chain. The
scheme is operated in rounds. To check whether a round is open
for new applications, check the website (details below).
Funding from previous rounds has been used to set up
producer groups for training and capital items, such as chippers
and pelleting machinery.
Contact details: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/
energy/infrastructure.htm
Heating systems
Low Carbon Buildings Programme
Details: Funding is available to support the installation of
renewable energy technologies in buildings. The scheme is
operated in phases and streams, each open to different groups,
such as householders, charitable bodies, commercial
organisations, schools and the public sector. The eligible
woodfuel heating technologies include:
- Automated wood pellet stoves
- Woodfuelled boiler systems (up to 300kW)
Contact details: At time of writing the scheme was separated
into two phases for the different types of eligible organisation.
Phase One - applies to homeowners. Contact details: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
Phase Two - applies to the public sector and charitable bodies. Contact details: www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk
To check the current status of the low carbon buildings
programme see www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
Bioenergy Capital Grants Scheme – Biomass Heat
Details: This funding is available to support the installation of
biomass-fuelled heat and combined heat and power projects in
the industrial, commercial and community sectors, including
public and private companies, sole traders, farmers, local
authorities, hospitals, universities, schools etc. The scheme is not
open to householders or individuals. The grant offers 40% of the
difference in cost between installing a biomass system compared
to installing the fossil fuel alternative, up to a maximum of
£500,000 for each installation. There is no minimum threshold.
The scheme is operated in rounds and there are either one or two
rounds offered each year
Contact details: To check the whether a round is open for
applications see www.bioenergycapitalgrants.org.uk
Rural development Programme for England (RDPE)
Details: Funding is available for farmers, growers, foresters, rural
micro-businesses and rural communities to support capital
investment and training in the production and use of woodfuel as
a renewable energy source. Funding is available to farmers,
foresters and contractors towards the purchase of woodfuel
processing equipment such as firewood processors and chippers
to assist in the production of woodfuel, along with associated
transport and storage facilities. Funding is available to rural
communities towards the cost of installing renewable energy
systems in community facilities. As part of the programmes farm
diversification measure farmers can seek funding towards the
cost of installing renewable energy systems which will generate
additional income to the farm business through the sale of heat
or electricity to others through energy supply contracts (ESCo). It is
a competitive process and there is no guarantee of funding
Contact details: www.seeda.co.uk/rdpe
Community Sustainable Energy Programme
Details: Provides funding for community groups to install biomass
heating systems up to 45kW. Capital grants are available for up
to £50,000 or 50% of the project costs (whichever is lower). The
programme also funds 75% of the cost of feasibility studies
carried out by registered consultants. Eligible groups include;
community groups governed by a written constitution, registered
charities and trusts, parish councils, schools or colleges, and faith
organisations.
Contact details: www.communitysustainable.org.uk
Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme
Details: The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme encourages
businesses to invest in low carbon technologies. The scheme was
updated in March 2001 to include the Energy Technology Products
list, which now includes biomass boilers. Under the Enhanced
Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme, you can claim an ‘enhanced’
100% capital allowance on qualifying investments in equipment in
the first tax year compared to the normal 25% a year on a
reducing balance basis.
Contact details: Customer Centre - 0800 085 2005 www.eca.gov.uk
Carbon Trust Interest Free Loans
Details: Available for small and medium sized enterprises with a
trading record of more than 12 months. Available for all energy
saving investments, including renewable technologies. Eligibility
criteria apply. Unsecured interest free loans available for the purchase
of renewable energy equipment to be repaid over a four
year period.
Contact details: Helpline: 0800 085 2005 www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans
Research & Development
The Carbon Trust – Applied Research
Details: The Carbon Trust’s Applied Research Programme is open
to UK businesses and research institutions and aims to support
the development and commercialisation of technology with the
potential to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions. Up to £500k is
available for projects which demonstrate innovation, a clear step
forward to commercialisation and value for money. A minimum of
40% match funding is required.
Contact details: www.carbontrust.co.uk/technology/appliedresearch
Contacts
Regional advisors and consultants
Creative Environmental Networks
Ambassador House, Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JG
Contact: Tom Vosper
Telephone: 020 8683 6600
Fax: 020 8683 6601
Email: biomass@cen.org.uk
Web: www.cen.org.uk
South East Wood Fuels
Premier House, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex, BN43 5FF
Contact: Julian Morgon-Jones
Telephone: 0845 8693775
Email: info@sewf.co.uk
Web: www.sewf.co.uk
Surrey Hills Woodfuel Group
Grange Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DQ
Contact: James Little
Telephone: 0845 478 6370
Email: jameslittle@surreyhillswoodfuel.org.uk
Web: www.surreyhillswoodfuel.org.uk
TV Energy
Liberty House, New Greenham Park, Newbury, Berks, RG19 6HS
Contact: Keith Richards
Telephone: 01635 817420
Fax: 01635 552779
Email: info@tvenergy.org
Web: www.tvenergy.org
wood4heat
Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, Petersfield, GU32 1HR
Contact: John Bushby
Telephone: 07736 947785
Email: john@wood4heat.co.uk
Web: www.wood4heat.co.uk
Suppliers
Woodfuel
For an up to date list of woodfuel suppliers, refer to the biomass energy centre:
www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk
Woodfuel Heating Equipment
For an up to date list of woodfuel boilersuppliers, refer to:
www.nef.org.uk/logpile/fuelsuppliers/woodboilers.asp
For a list of woodfuel stove suppliers, refer to:
www.nef.org.uk/logpile/fuelsuppliers/woodstoves.asp
For a list of approved installers, refer to:
www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/info/installers/find/installerfind
Woodfuel Processing Equipment
A.T. Osborne Ltd
Shelley Lane, Ower, Romsey, Hamshire, SO51 6ZL
Telephone: +44 (0)2380814340
Fax: +44 (0)2380812941
Email: markosborne@atosborneltd.freeserve.co.uk
Web: www.tpchippers.co.uk
Eurogreen
The Tythe Barn, North Barn Farm, West Sussex, BN12 6NZ
Telephone: +44 1903 700678
Fax: +44 1903 247586
Email: sales@machinery.com
Homegrown Timber
Cherry Tree Sawmills, Faygate, West Sussex, RH12 4SJ
Telephone: +44 (01293) 852700
Fax: +44 (01293) 852701
Trade associations and official bodies
Combined Heat and Power Association
Grosvenor Gardens House, 35/37 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0BS
Contact: Phillip Piddington - Director
Telephone: 020 7828 4077
Fax: 020 7828 0310
Email: info@chpa.co.uk
Web: www.chpa.co.uk
Renewable Energy Association
17 Waterloo Place, London, SW1Y 4AR
Telephone: 020 7747 1830
Fax: 020 7925 2715
Web: www.r-p-a.org.uk
General information
Biomass Energy Centre
Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH
Telephone: 01420 526197
Fax: 01420 23450
Email: biomass.centre@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk
Forestry Commission
South East England Region, Alice Holt Lodge, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LF
Telephone: 01420 23337
Fax: 01420 22988
Email: southeast.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/southeastengland
This listing doesn't constitute a recommendation or endorsement of suppliers or products, or any implied criticism of any that may have been omitted.
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