Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Matthew Woodcock Forestry Commission England Renewable Heat Incentive Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March 2011

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Woodfuel Standards

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Why do we need standards? To encourage the best use of a sustainable resource: –To harvest it sustainably; –To use it most efficiently, in both carbon and financial terms; –To reduce negative impacts. To make life easier for buyers and suppliers by: – Ensuring the fuel is suited to the boiler; – Helping fuel buyers specify their requirements clearly; – Helping suppliers know what is needed and how to check that their product meets the requirements; – Helping identify problems; and – Providing confidence in a growing market. To strengthen trust in wood as a fuel to facilitate trade between consumers and producers

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March So whats the problem? Perceptions: –Bureaucracy; –Complexity; –We know how to do this already! –Whats the benefit to me? Language: –Moisture Content – water content vs wood humidity –Weight – wet vs seasoned (30%, 20%?) vs oven dry –Volume – solid m 3, stacked m 3, loose m 3 (logs or chips) –Calorific value – Kilowatt hours, kilojoules, BTUs? –Carbon – or CO 2 –Competition – litres, tonnes, kilowatt hours –Price - Weight, volume or kilowatt hrs? Cost: –Time and money Scale: –Industrial, local or somewhere between?

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March So how could we address these problems and turn theory into reality?

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Make it simple: Focus on the direct benefits Bite size pieces Critical elements first Flick and dip Pictures, diagrams, examples

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Main issues: Source: Tree, roots, waste? Moisture content: Particle size: Ash Also: –Nitrogen –Chlorine –Energy value by weight –Energy value by loose cubic metre –Bulk Density –Ash melting point

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Main points: 1. Origin: Specified to show where the raw wood has been sourced Woody biomass, from forest or plantation, stemwood, broadleaf stemwood, coniferous stemwood, mixture of broadleaf and conifer whole trees (without roots), broadleaf whole trees (without roots), coniferous Short rotation coppice (without roots) Mixture of broadleaf, softwood and/or SRC (without roots) 1.1.7Woodchips derived from arboriculture 2. Traded form: woodchips, pellets, briquettes or firewood 3. Properties: –Particle size distribution e.g. P45 –Moisture e.g. M40 –Ash e.g. A1.5

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March So how can WhS help? WhS Newsletter Dummies Guide Woodheat Solutions: Approximate determination of moisture content of woodfuel using a domestic oven

Sponsored by: Biomass Implementation Workshop 29 March Thank you