Z-squared: biomass assessment for Combined Heat and Power plant

About the report

An investigation into the availability of woodchip for biomass CHP in the Thames Gateway area of London. Includes a literature review supplemented by a questionnaire survey, interviews, site visits and practical trials.

The report is one of ten in our Z-squared research report series.

Published January 2006
Pages 106
 

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Executive summary

Z-squared is a 2,000 home development for 5,000 people proposed for the Thames Gateway. It aims for zero fossil energy consumption within its buildings and zero waste to landfill. A planned energy centre integrates power and heat supply and use from several renewable sources: wind, anaerobic digestion of putrescible waste, energy from residual waste through gasification or pyrolysis, and a biomass fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) plant.

The biomass CHP would have an annual requirement for up to 35,000 oven dry tones of wood chip, equivalent to approximately 64,000 tonnes of fresh wood chip. To minimise environmental cost this should be supplied from local sources within 40 miles, be made from waste wood, or come from woodlands and energy crops managed to enhance biodiversity as well as produce fuel.

Organisations considering installing wood chip systems for heating or CHP are very often concerned about the availability and security of the fuel supply.

Investigations for this report showed that the potential fuel supply from London and its immediate environs is large and will not constrain biomass use in the medium term.

The result of the assessment is that there is sufficient wood chip available for Z-squared and other new users – at least 500,000 tonnes a year in and around London. It will be available locally at prices similar to current levels. An expansion of production capacity is required. Increasing fossil fuel prices will increase the competitiveness of biomass and allow wood chip prices to rise. This, together with more demanding targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill, will stimulate investment in wood chip production to supply a steadily growing biomass fuel market in London.

The biomass fuel market is expected to become the dominant use for recycled timber and tree surgery waste in the region, contributing to national waste management targets. As prices for biomass rise:

• new sources of wood chip such as woody residues from composting operations will develop
• planting of energy crops will increase
• more chip will be produced from woodland management benefiting woodland health, biodiversity, and rural economies.

Woodlands, including coppice woodlands in South East England might once again become a vital source of renewable energy for London as they were in pre-industrial times.

Download report PDF
........................................................................................................
BioRegional is a registered charity – if you would like to make a donation for this report please visit www.justgiving.com to do so securely on-line – suggested donation £4.00.  

Your support will help us to continue developing vital solutions for sustainable living.