August 2007
The 'Coordinated Woodfuel Initiative' (CWI) in the South West is a project that aims to bring the benefits of wood heating to premises such as schools, community buildings, farms and large domestic properties.
Modern woodfuel boilers are far cleaner and more efficient than a traditional open fire. They are at the forefront of renewable energy technology. Types of woodfuel used in such installations include logs, wood chips, wood pellets and wood briquettes.
The CWI is a region-wide programme that promotes woodfuel as a low-carbon and renewable energy source. The aim is to add local value through developing and sustaining the woodfuel industry and supporting rural livelihoods. The CWI involves an independent technical advice service for the South West coupled with some grant support for small scale installations in the rural areas of the ten participating Protected Landscapes. Deadline for this particular grant is the end Sept 2007. However interested parties are advised to make contact earlier.
Those who are interested in finding out about wood heating have a local rate phone line (08450 74 06 74) as a first point of contact. All callers receive free information and advice on woodfuel systems and on their property’s suitability for such installations. For larger premises, the Coordinated Woodfuel Initiative can arrange a site visit from a woodfuel expert who can assess a building’s capacity to accommodate a wood-fired boiler, ease of access for fuel deliveries and the availability of storage space. The project team can also provide support with applications for any available grants.
Louise Rutterford the project’s co-administrator said,
"We are especially keen to hear from people and organisations located within the boundaries of a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the South West, as some grant aid may be available to them in particular.
We would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about woodfuel heating to call us soon, as we are fast approaching the application deadline for this particular capital grant.”
The Coordinated Woodfuel Initiative has already helped with the installation of wood-burning boilers in many premises, including an educational facility at Yeo Valley Farms in Somerset and estate buildings at Cothelstone in the Quantock Hills AONB. So far 15 installations have received grant funding, which will equate to nearly 800kW of installed capacity once all the systems are commissioned. Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of using woodfuel here: www.cse.org.uk/pdf/sof1113.pdf
The Coordinated Woodfuel Initiative is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy. It is funded by the South West Regional Development Agency through the Woodland Renaissance matched with contributions from Sustainable Development Funds from 10 of the regions Protected Landscapes and a contribution from the Forestry Commission.
"Growing trees and using their wood is increasingly recognised as one of the most environmentally sustainable land uses possible. Yet, the UK imports 80% of its timber need whilst only 20% of our own woods are managed." (Silvanus trust)
Energy from biomass refers to energy produced from organic matter of recent origin. This includes both wood-based materials (raw timber, forestry thinnings, untreated wood products, energy crops and short rotation coppice), and non-woody materials (animal waste and food-processing by-products) but excludes fossil fuels which are organic in origin but which have taken millions of years to evolve. For the forestry industry, the types of wood-based products involved include logs, wood chips, wood pellets and wood briquettes. The generation of energy through the burning of wood-based biomass is considered a ‘carbon-neutral’ process because the carbon dioxide released by the burning is balanced by that absorbed by trees during their lifetime. Biomass can contribute to waste management by harnessing energy from products that are often disposed of at landfill sites. It is most cost effective when a local fuel source is used and transportation costs minimised. Of course, people have been producing energy from biomass for centuries, and in many parts of the world it is still the principle source of heat. However modern biomass systems are far more efficient and clean than the traditional open fire and are, indeed, at the forefront of renewable energy technology.
