A look into biomass.

Biomass is a renewable source of energy, derived from burning animal and plant waste. Almost all industries, including agriculture, forestry, colleges/universities, local authorities, hotels, resorts, sports venues, and hospitals, produce waste that can be converted to heat and electricity.

Biomass is the organic byproduct that is left over from plants, animals and waste products from organic sources, such as rubbish, wood, crops, landfill gas and alcohol fuels. When burned, the chemical energy in biomass is released as heat, which can be converted into biofuels and/or biogas and finally, into usable energy such as fuels, electricity or heat.

The basic process of biomass energy, or bio energy, has to do with photosynthesis. Plants contain chlorophyll, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the ground. When animals eat the plants, some of that energy is transferred. We call it renewable energy because the carbon dioxide and water is then released back into the atmosphere, and is used to grow more plants and crops to start the cycle again.

Research has proven that using biomass as a source of energy has several benefits over fossil fuel usage, and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For it to be produced, the organic material must undergo a biomass conversion process, of which there are several routes to take.

Benefits of using biomass as a sustainable fuel

Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel that can offer a wide range of benefits:

• Biomass is a “carbon lean” fuel producing a fraction of the Carbon emissions of fossil fuels.

• Biomass can be sourced locally, from within the UK, on an indefinite basis, contributing to security of supply.

• UK sourced biomass can offer local business opportunities and support the rural economy.

• The establishment of local networks of production and usage, allows financial and environmental costs of transport to be minimized. There is no region in the UK that cannot be a producer of biomass.

• The use of biomass fuel provides an economic incentive to manage woodland which improves biodiversity.

• Many biomass fuels generate lower levels of such atmospheric pollutants as sulphur dioxide, that contributes to 'acid rain'. Modern biomass combustion systems are highly sophisticated, offering combustion efficiency and emission levels comparable with the best fossil fuel boilers.

• Biomass residues, arisings, co-products and waste not used for energy, or some other application will usually rot. This will generate CO2 in any case, and may also produce methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent that CO2.

Burning biomass releases CO2. How can this be sustainable?

The critical difference between biomass fuels and fossil fuel, is that of fossil and contemporary carbon. Burning fossil fuels results in converting stable carbon sequestered millions of years ago into atmospheric carbon dioxide (when the global environment has adapted to current levels). Burning biomass fuels however, returns to the atmosphere contemporary carbon recently taken up by the growing plant, and currently being taken up by replacement growth.

If woodfuel is sourced from well managed woodlands, then carbon released from the wood during combustion will be removed from the atmosphere as the remaining trees and seedlings photosynthesize.

Heizohack Biomass Chipper in action

What we are doing at Beechwood.

Here at Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd we are currently aiming to recycle 100% of the arisings created are part of our tree surgery operations.

Some of our timber is converted into firewood which is then seasoned and resold onto our customers in bags.

Our fleet of 10 wood chippers that create arbchip from our tree surgery pruning work, which is completely sustainable. This is loaded onto artic lorries and sent to the power plants.

We have recently procured a Heizohack biomass wood chipper that has a screen to create a G30 chip and is also sent off to make energy.

Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is already widely available throughout the UK.

Its production and use also brings additional environmental and social benefits. Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels.