Biomass is a term given to organic matter of recent origin (and therefore does not include fossil fuels which have evolved over millions of years) and it is also sometimes known as bioenergy or biofuel. Biomass is a renewable source of energy, although care must be taken that the fuel is from sustainable sources in order that resources aren’t depleted.
The production and use of biomass is a carbon neutral process as the carbon dioxide released when energy is generated is balanced by that absorbed during the fuel’s production. Biomass is produced from organic materials which come either directly from plants or indirectly from industrial, commercial, domestic or agricultural products, and these are divided into two categories.
- Woody biomass includes forest products and short rotation coppice (such as willow which are quick to grow and therefore easy to sustain).
- Non-woody biomass includes animal waste, industrial and biodegradable municipal products from food processing and high energy crops such as rape, sugar cane and maize.
The main type of biomass used in a domestic environment is wood in the form of wood pellets, chips or logs. This fuel can be used for a stand-alone wood pellet stove to heat a room (some of which can also be fitted with a back boiler to provide hot water) or for a wood pellet boiler connected to the central heating and the hot water system. A stand-alone heater would cost approximately £3000 installed whilst a typical 15KW boiler would be in from £5000 to £11,000 including the flue.
Both systems do, of course, having running costs as the fuel has to be purchased, and they are therefore usually most cost effective in locations without a gas supply. Grants are available from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, however, towards installation costs – visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.co.uk for more information.
