Biomass Energy
What is biomass?
Biomass is a term used to describe the material which plants, food, crops and trees are made from. These materials include wood, crops, residues from agriculture and forestry, as well as waste from food processing.
What types of fuel are there?
Biomass can be converted to a fuel source by direct use in a boiler system, but often fuels sourced from biomass need some sort of treatment such as chipping, drying, or conversion of sawdust into wood pellets. The main types of biomass fuels are woodchips, wood pellets and briquettes, and logs. There are also other biomass fuel types such as fast-growing species of poplar and willow, and grasses.
What types of burner systems are available?
Fuel systems are either automatic, such as woodchip and wood pellet boiler systems, or manual such as small log burning stoves. Wood burning systems require more fuel handling than fossil fuel systems, although automated systems are designed to operate constantly with a regular delivery of fuel and scheduled maintenance by fuel suppliers or contractors. The choice of biomass boiler system depends on the supplies of wood fuel available within the region of where the heating system will operate. Factors to consider in choosing an automated biomass system include the fuel quality (such as moisture content of the wood), size of system needed, storage space available, and proximity to managed woodlands with a source of biomass supply.
What are the costs?
On a comparative basis, wood chips are cheaper to use as a fuel than natural gas and much lower in cost than heating oil. Wood pellets are usually more expensive than wood chips, and approximately equal in cost to natural gas systems. Logs for stove burners vary in price depending on suppliers, but is normally a very economical way of heating a main room in a home.
How do I find out more?
The Biomass Energy Centre website has more information on biomass energy systems and other issues to consider such as which supply chains to consider. Contact ALI Energy for more information on what biomass heat system is most suited to your needs. There may also be funding available for installing and operating a biomass heating system. Contact us if you would like to learn more.
Case Studies
- LakelandSmolts
- Dunlossit Estate, Islay
- Glenshellach Community Heating Scheme, Oban
- Ross Crescent Community Heating Scheme, Lochgilphead
For more information on the range of services that we provide, please contact us at ALIenergy, by phoning 01631 565183 or E mailing us at
