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A biomass burner simply burns a fuel which has been recently grown, because of this ,it is carbon neutral. A log burning stove is a form of biomass burner if wood is solely used. However, it would be much more environmentally friendly if the wood had been sustainably sourced, for example if the wood has been coppiced. Other fuels which are included in the biomass category are willow but I think that here we are talking about large scale biomass burning for electricity generation rather than those suited to a domestic house. 

Image courtesy of Renewable Fuels

Other fuels which can be used for large scale burning and electricity generation are wood pellets. See Picture. These are best if made from virgin timber sawdust so that any glues or residues do not clog up the boiler. Wood pellets have the advantage of being able to be automatically hopper fed into a boiler. The boiler is then able to run for long periods of time without the need to manually feed it. However, depending on your location they may be difficult to source. They cost about £200 per tonne delivered.  Nevertheless, prices are falling as the UK starts to produce its own. (currently they are imported.) A 15kg bag of pellets should burn for about 25 hours. So that's £3.00. Obviously a place to store the pellets would be needed.

Types of Boiler

• Log Burning Stove with or without Back Boiler. Fuel - Wood. These traditional stoves heat a room but also can be fitted with a back boiler. A flue must be fitted to draw the fumes. If you have a chimney, all the better but a flue is still needed.

Our Wood Burning Stove

We purchased ours  from Bernard-Davis Stoves

• Pellet Stoves  - Fuel Pellets       These stoves are now available in the UK. Pellet stoves have many of the advantages of fossil fuel heating systems but without the associated environmental damage. Some of them are available with a back boiler and can be plumbed into a hot water and  radiator systems. Wood energy undoubtedly have a fantastic range. Though I really don't know why their information is not freely available on their website. However you can access it here. Click on the image of the pellet stove below. For their Price List Click Here

•   Pellets Boilers - Fuel Pellets. These are designed to be installed in utility rooms away from general view. They have a hopper to aid feeding and are cleaned once a month or so.

Images courtesy of 3Genergi and Bioenergy

More information about biomass boilers can be found from Ian Chappell

Rural Energy have forwarded this information of a case study of a new biomass heating system that was installed into a house in Northants. It gives a really good indication of the possibilities of biomass as a real alternative to oil in rural locations.

Case Study:

More information can be found on EST website or more specifically Biomass Small Scale . 

Clearskies deals with the grants for biomass boilers. You can visit their information here.  I think grants of up to £1500 are available but most will be in the region of £600. A grant will only be obtained if it is the main heating system in the house.  They have a  list of suppliers that can be accessed on this link.

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