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Latest news - Click here for details of new wood chip fuel store near Gloucester
Background
Due to oil and gas price rises over the last twelve months, wood chip heating is now a relatively cost effective option for larger scale heating installations. In addition, the wood fuel supply industry can benefit the local economy and help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, since growing trees absorb the gas.
Consultation is in progress on changes to the building regulations that will set specific targets for the inclusion of on-site renewable energy supply in new developments above a certain size. Wood fuel is well positioned to capture this market as it can be more economically viable than fossil fuel alternatives at larger scales.
Gloucestershire Wood Fuels Limited was registered at the end of April 2006 as an Agricultural Producer Co-operative under the Industrial and Provident Society Act. The three founding members are Luke Ralli, an apple orchard owner seeking a wood fuel market for his prunings, Ed Clarkson from Batsford Estate, initially interested in self supply for a wood chip boiler to be installed at Batsford in the summer of 2006 and John Baly of Woodland Improvement and Conservation Ltd, who own and manage woodland, supply trees and contact plant new woodland. Pete West of Severn Wye Energy Agency is Company Secretary.
Aims
The co-operative has been set up to offer secure wood fuel supply contracts at competitive prices to larger scale local end users, typically public buildings, new housing developments, and country estates that manage their own woodlands.
Activities
There are currently three new wood chip heating installations in Gloucestershire either being installed or having received planning consent, with a total rated capacity of 1,500 kW. These are Batsford Estate (300kW self supply) Archway School, Stroud (500kW) and National Star College near Cheltenham (720kW). In addition, the Littlecombe project near Dursley, a development of 600 new houses plus mixed commercial and retail sites has a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% from using on-site renewable energy. Expressions of Interest and quotations are currently being obtained to evaluate the viability of a wood chip fuelled district heating system to supply a minimum of 168 high density properties. The potential fuel supply requirements will be approximately 500 – 1,000 tonnes of wood chip per year.
There are currently another five potential installations in Gloucestershire seeking further advice, feasibility studies, information or estimates.
Severn Wye Energy Agency has offered in depth support to some of these potential new wood fuel installations including organising visits to similar wood fuel heating installations in South Wales and the Midlands, organising quotations from suitably qualified installation companies and offering assistance to secure available funding towards capital and installation.
Gloucestershire Wood Fuels will also soon be in a position to seek wood fuel supply contracts in order to offer potential end users a five year wood chip supply contact at an agreed quality standard. Any individual, company or business in Gloucestershire which meets the definition of a wood fuel producer can join the co-operative.
Gloucestershire Wood Fuels has received funding from the Defra Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme and is supported by Gloucestershire County Council.
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Key points Aims to offer secure wood fuel supply contracts to large users Providing advice and support to current and potential wood fuel users
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To find out more contact
Pete West, Project Manager Tel (01594) 545366 E-mail: [email protected] Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd 6/15 The MEWs Brook Street Mitcheldean Gloucestershire GL17 0SL
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