What is Biomass?

Biomass is defined as biological material derived from living or recently living organisms. In the context of energy, energy from biomass is produced from organic matter of recent origin and does not include fossil fuels which have taken millions of years to evolve. The carbon dioxide released during the generation of energy is balanced by the carbon dioxide that is absorbed during the growing period,

Biomass includes forestry products, untreated wood products, energy crops and short rotation coppice (e.g willow and
miscanthus) and residues from wood processing such as sawdust.

Why is Biomass Important?

Burning carbon based fuels such as coal, converts carbon to carbon dioxide which is released back into the atmosphere. These products were derived from biological material however the CO2 they absorbed whilst growing was absorbed millions of years ago. Burning these fuels now releases additional CO2 back into the atmosphere which is contributing to the Greenhouse Effect. There are increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (such as CO2) in the atmosphere which contribute to the greenhouse effect and an therefore an increase in the average global temperature of the earth. This global warming is predicted to lead to widespread climate change which could lead to devastating effects on the planet.

The vital difference between biomass and fossil fuels is timescale. Biomass takes carbon out of the atmosphere while it is growing which is returned when it is burned. If the biomass is managed on a sustainable basis this will maintain a closed carbon cycle and makes it a low carbon fuel. Biomass is sometimes referred to as being carbon neutral.

Using Biomass as an Energy Source

Wood can be burned to provide heat in a central heating boiler
or in a room heater. It can also be burned to run a turbine and generate electricity.

For small scale domestic use of biomass the fuel usually takes
the form of wood pellets, wood chips or logs. Modern wood fired heaters are highly efficient and burn the wood more completely
and cleanly than older open fires.

Wood pellets and wood chips are small and have a uniform size
and so they are suitable for automatic feed systems such as hoppers.

Call 0800 328 0011 to place an order or for more details.