Biomass boilers could provide significant savings for business

With strict renewable energy targets to meet, the UK needs to do more when it comes to the generation of renewable energy in all sectors, including heat. At the moment heat generated from renewable sources accounts for just 1% of total heat demand and this needs to rise significantly in order to achieve the EU’s binding target of 12% by 2020.

The much heralded feed-in tariffs cover some renewables but by no means all and therefore on 1st February 2010, a consultation on the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme was launched.  While the general election will no doubt change many policies, pre-election there was cross party agreement for the RHI and an aim to introduce it in April 2011.

It is proposed that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will provide financial support for those who purchase renewable heating equipment which qualifies under the scheme; this will include wood pellet boilers.  What’s more equipment installed after July 15th 2009 will be eligible for payments from the schemes introduction. Payments will be made for 15 years and are intended to provide a minimum of 12% return on the capital cost of the equipment.

Andrew Boroughs, Managing Director of Organic Energy, specialists in the supply of high quality wood pellet boiler systems believes now is a good time to investigate the benefits of renewable heating.  He says “Technology such as automatic wood pellet boilers provide heating from a sustainable, primary fuel and significantly reduce overall CO2 emissions. They are automatically controlled, easily maintained and already common place in the rest of Europe.  Under the RHI, companies could see significant financial savings (even net gains) from their heating systems.”

While details of the RHI have yet to be finalised the consultation stage finished at the end of April as EIBI was going to press. Figures currently proposed are intended to give a 12% return over 15 years on the total capital invested in the boiler plant to both individuals, organisations and companies.  It also seems that existing grants and interest free loans will be available at least until the official start of the scheme and with eligibility back dated to July 2009 this looks very attractive.

The RHI will be available for all categories of user be they; domestic, business, manufacturing, public sector, not for profit or social enterprise. The main requirements for eligibility are the use of approved installers and equipment.

It’s not only the cost though where biomass boilers could have a significant benefit for business.  Almost half of the UK's CO2 emissions come from energy used to heat space and water process heating, industrial drying and similar purposes.  There is no doubt that the use of more wood pellet boilers could go a long way to reducing this figure.

The CO2 emission figures for wood pellets are certainly impressive, including the whole production process they produce 9g/kWh compared to electricity [495g] gas (212g), oil (295g), heat pumps (252g – 180g).

Why is burning wood better than fossil fuels? Both release CO2 into the atmosphere, the difference is that provided timber is managed as a sustainable crop then the carbon released from one generation of trees is reabsorbed by the next generation. This is a short cycle not adding to the total atmospheric CO2 . On the other hand carbon released from fossil fuels adds to the total atmospheric CO2 as it was captured millions of years ago when CO2 levels were much higher.

Andrew added: “The fuel itself is manufactured from clean dry wood waste such as wood shavings and sawdust.  The feed stock is normally dried using wood waste that is unsuitable for pellet production. The material is broken up, passed through a press and as its temperature rises to around 120oC the lignin that naturally occurs in wood plasticises and bonds the material.   The result is a high density pellet with hard glossy outer coating, a characteristic of high quality wood pellets. Wood pellets have a high energy density, 4.8 - 5.3 kWh/kg with 2kg being equivalent to 1litre oil or 1 m³ gas. Flowing almost like a liquid they are the perfect clean fuel.”

For businesses the questions of supply and storage are important.  How much room will the pellets take up? What kind of conditions does the fuel need and is its supply secure?  In fact wood pellets are a clean, safe and non polluting fuel to handle and store, as with any fuel “quality is vital” says Organic Energy, consistency of product and reliability of supply ensures optimum performance and high levels of customer satisfaction.  Organic Energy is offering high grade fuel to its customers with deliveries made by purpose built delivery tankers.

There is no need to handle wood pellets as the delivery process is automated, efficient and clean with the pellets being blown into the special air permeable Flexilo tanks from the road tanker. Flexible storage hoppers come in a wide range of sizes including designs for low ceilings or restricted spaces taking up no more floor area than most bunded oil tanks. The Flexilo storage tanks can even be put outside provided they are protected from rain and UV. Pellets have a pleasant smell of freshly cut wood, can be handled without risk to health and are not harmful to the environment if spilled.

Automated weighing systems are available so you know exactly how much fuel you have, while pioneering new technology such as ÖkoFEN Pelletronic Online allows secure remote access via broadband to the boiler and heating system. Controlling and monitoring is simple and the system will even send you an email explaining that the fuel is low.

Fuel consumption, timely refuelling, heating settings and ash collector levels can all be monitored or controlled remotely, ensuring the system works to its optimal performance day in day out.  The development of Pelletronic Online means installing a wood pellet heating system has never been more convenient for both the public and private sector.

If space in your existing plant room is limited then a wood pellet boiler is still an option with the ÖkoFEN  EnergyBox. These packaged plant rooms are made from a sustainable timber laminated wall section and delivered fully fitted ready for connect in a matter of hours. Available with a range of finishes and colours to suit the surroundings; sizes start from 3.2m L x 2.4m W with up to 20kW output with the largest single unit 12.3m x 2.4m with 224 kW output. Bespoke versions are also available from the factory.

This self contained heating solution is particularly useful for short life or temporary buildings as it can easily be disconnected and moved to another location thus retaining the asset.  It is also being specified for an increasing number of new build projects, doing away with the need for a traditional plant rooms with their associated costs.

Andrew concludes: “Wood pellet boilers provide business with a real low carbon alternative to fossil fuels. If you are considering wood pellet heating as part of your energy policy early engagement with an experienced supplier to ensure the correct advice and technical details is key to a successful project outcome.

Organic Energy is the sole UK partner for one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of wood pellet boilers; ÖkoFEN.  Based in Austria the company has pioneered the development of biomass boilers over the last 20 years and were the first to develop the fully automatic Pellematic wood pellet boiler system. Today ÖkoFEN operates in eleven European countries and in the USA.

Organic Energy’s Welshpool office is the UK and Ireland headquarters where visitors can see working products on display. The premises also house the UK’s Training Academy where architects, energy consultants, contractors and building owners are welcome to visit and attend courses on biomass wood pellet heating and solar thermal systems.

For further details please call Organic Energy on 01938 530 070 or 0845 458 4076