What is Biomass?
Biomass is a fuel from any recently living organism, the form most
readily available in the U.K. is chipped wood. This can be from woodland
lop and top, purpose grown coppice or green wood residues from sawmills
etc., beyond this, the primary source is miscanthus, a large fibrous
grass and wood which is produced in a pelletised form.
The use of biomass as an energy source has huge potential to reduce
the climate change problems caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil
fuels are a form of ‘ancient biomass’. Burning these fossil fuels causes
a release of CO2 that for millions of years has been fixed
underground and transfers it to the atmosphere creating a carbon
imbalance.
Using biomass as an energy source creates a ‘closed carbon cycle’. As
a biomass energy source grows CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere, when
it is burnt the CO2 stored by the biomass as is released, making biomass
fuel ‘carbon neutral’. Most biomass fuels are clean, containing no
noxious metals, chemicals or other pollutants and so will not evoke
environmental issues such as acid rain and human respiratory problems.
Good for the planet and good for you!
Click here for the wood pellet report (PDF Format.
2MB).
Wood fuel
"I want Britain to be a
leading player in this coming green industrial revolution"
- Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, Prime Minister
"If we had done more on renewables 20 years ago we would have a
better balance (..of energy supply ) now"
- Brian Wilson,
Minister for Energy June 2002
Environmental
- Additional planting and management of
woodland
- Reduction in carbon dioxide
- Reduction in global warming
Biomass - Wood Renewable Energy Cycle
Political
All members of the EU are committed to carbon
emission reduction, and Biomass forms an important part of this
strategy.
The advantages will be felt across the rural
economy by adding forestry and creating employment.
Commercial
- With the increase in Landfill Tax and the
introduction of the latest Climate Control Levy, biomass will become
even more competitive with fossil fuels.
- Biomass is a chosen growth sectors in the
U.K.
- Opportunities for district heating and
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects.
- Increased awareness of opportunities at grass
roots levels and beyond.
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