1. The what, how and why of using biomass Geoff Hogan Biomass Energy Centre

2. So what is the Biomass Energy Centre?

3. Biomass Task Force Launched October 2004 Led by Sir Ben Gill Report published October 2005 42 recommendations designed to ‘..shift barriers which stand in the way of the greater use of the biomass resource..’ “current lack of knowledge and awareness of biomass energy”

4. Biomass Energy Centre Launched April 2006 in the Government’s response to the Biomass Task Force ‘Owned and managed by the FC’ ‘Dedicated website and helpline’ Answer enquiries from the general public, local authorities, architects, developers, services engineers, biomass industry, central government, etc. ‘A single point of contact on biomass’ (not fount of all knowledge!) Work with wide range of specialist contacts ‘Actively engaging with regional and national information providers’

6. www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk Website live since September 2006 Over 700,000 page hits recorded More than 2,600 enquires answered 9 information sheets of our own Wide range of electronic and printed documentation

7. What?

8. Potential biomass fuels Virgin wood –woodland residues: thinnings and trimmings; firewood –arboricultural arisings –woodprocessing co-products –pellets and briquettes Agricultural residues –straw –slurry, FYM –poultry litter Energy Crops –SRC, SRF –Miscanthus –oil crops, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane Food waste Industrial wastes and co-products –untreated waste wood: old pallets, offcuts –treated waste wood –paper pulp –textiles –sewage sludge

9. How?

10. Choices, choices

11. Burning logs 1 Simple, ad hoc No special equipment Stoves, ranges With or without back boiler Moderate efficiency (open fire very low efficiency) Continuous manual feeding

12. Burning logs 2 Log boilers High efficiency Sophisticated Periodic manual filling Buffer tank essential Self supply Relatively low capital cost; cheap fuel

13. Burning pellets Pellet boilers and stoves Very high efficiency Very sophisticated Built in hopper: manual filling Bulk hopper: ~ annual filling Range of sizes Commodity fuel; more expensive

14. Burning wood chips Automated Suitable chipper required or contract chipper Dry fuel store required Not for small applications Low bulk density fuel High capital cost; cheap fuel

15. CHP >2 MW e steam turbine: mature 200 - 2,000 kW e ORC: semi- mature <1,000 kW e range of technologies: –gasification + ICE –Stirling engine (+ combustion/gasification) –microturbine –reciprocating steam

16. Why?

17. Carbon emissions

18. Fuel costs

19. How much land is needed?

20. www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk Biomass.Centre@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01420 526197