biomass

Biomass is used to describe combustible material of biological origin that can be burnt to produce heat or electricity. There is a wide range of materials that can be used to produce biomass fuels. The main sources of biomass are:

• Virgin wood in the form of logs, chips or pellets
• Energy crops using fast growing species like coppiced poplar and willow or energy grasses such as miscanthus
• Agricultural residues like straw and poultry litter.

The simplest and most common option is to convert the biomass directly into heat by burning it. There are a number of issues associated with biomass for energy that need to be considered. These are fuel supply and preparation, transport and fuel storage, fuel combustion and heat supply. Biomass combustion systems come in a range of sizes from log fed wood burning stoves to mega-watt, fully automated, wood-chip systems. It is also possible to use biomass in combined heat and power (CHP) systems to produce both heat and electricity using steam. The capital cost of a biomass system is significantly higher than for an equivalent fossil fuelled system. The extra cost is largely down to fuel storage and handling systems required for biomass fuel. However, operating costs will often be lower especially if an organisation can source a local supply of biomass that is reasonably priced.

We offer a range of services for organisation interested in biomass from feasibility studies to detailed design and project implementation.