Knowledge: Biomass
Carry on cutting carbon
Non-domestic biomass technology has received criticism of late in the media
for its seeming under performance and lower than expected efficiencies. So let’s
step the biomass industry up a notch and get things right to ensure efficiencies in
excess of 90 percent, insists Simon Holden, co-founder of Euroheat
he non-domestic sector has
seen huge support for biomass
technology since the RHI
kicked off, with figures from
the Renewable Energy Association (REA)
revealing that biomass accounted for some
90 per cent of energy generation through the
scheme between 2010 and 2012. Clearly a
front-runner for the business savvy, biomass
has staked its claim as a major player in the
renewables market.
Sadly, of late, biomass has come under the
spotlight following a study by DECC, which
claims that non-domestic installations are
showing up lower than expected efficiencies.
What is not addressed in the report are
the key issues with the UK’s biomass market
at present, issues which are huge contributory
factors in why some installations are falling
down on efficiency. Many substandard boilers
are being fitted (at the moment there is no
equivalent to the MCS quality standard for
units over 45kW capacity) by installers who do
not have the appropriate product knowledge,
experience or support. In addition, many
T
Highest quality: Far from viewing the DECC
report as negative; it provides the biomass
industry with an opportunity to ensure that
every boiler is working to its optimum efficiency,
stresses Euroheat’s Simon Holden
end-users are using sub-standard fuel, which
has not been properly seasoned and holds too
much moisture.
Fuel issues
This autumn will see the introduction of new
‘fuel rules’ for non-domestic RHI installations.
Under the legislation, fuels must meet
sustainability criteria in order to continue
receiving RHI payments.
This will apply to all existing and new
participants – even those already receiving
RHI payments. In order to prepare for the
changes, the simplest way to meet the criteria
is to use sustainable fuel bought through the
biomass suppliers’ list, which lists approved
suppliers of wood fuels that meet RHI
sustainability criteria.
Logs and woodchips
In general, moisture must be 20 per cent or
less in the case of log and woodchip, to ensure
optimum boiler performance. Seasoned logs
will have a higher energy value, providing
more heat and fewer emissions. It is important
that logs are split and left to dry in a well
ventilated area for 18 months or more for the
most efficient results. Storing logs and wood
chip is ultimately the end users’ responsibility
to make sure they are kept accordingly, but it
is vital that installers fully explain the fuel to
their customer, ensuring they have a handle
on buying quality and maintaining quality
wood fuel in large quantities.
Pellet power
Wood pellets are more stable and should be
delivered in the correct state if purchased
from a reliable source. With pellets, boiler
efficiency is the responsibility of the installer;
if commissioned correctly, a quality biomass
boiler with the right fuel will burn at the
efficiencies of 90 per cent or more.
Selecting a trustworthy biomass installer
is a vital, too. We pride ourselves on delivering
loyalty and first class support to our installer
partners, and we’re 100 per cent confident in
the quality of manufacture and efficiency of
our boilers; the technology really is cutting
edge. In addition, we only allow approved
installers – partners who have been properly
versed on our products – to fit each unit,
with our experts carrying out nearly all
commissioning.
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 23