A quality future for biomass

The world is moving towards a low carbon future, and as such, there’s been a huge amount of debate about exactly what the UK’s future energy mix will be. Helen Bentley-Fox, Director at Woodsure, says biomass fuel should have a key role to play but managing quality is key to its success.

One of the biggest advantages that biomass, or woodfuel, has in the current energy debate is of course that it is known, tried and tested. In comparison with some newer fuels and technologies, such as hydrogen, the infrastructure, supply chain and end-users already exist. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the silver bullet for delivering low carbon heat and power to the masses. Nevertheless, it is likely to provide part of the answer to how we warm up the UK’s poorly insulated and hard to heat homes using a sustainable fuel – and one that’s available now.

The majority (85%) of residential buildings in the UK are currently connected to the gas grid. The remaining 15% of homes use other fuels including oil, LPG or coal as their main heating fuel or electric heating. Yet a Forestry Commission Public Opinion of Forestry survey suggested that about 12 per cent of UK households make some use of wood as a fuel, and it’s estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million wood-burning stoves are installed across the country. There are huge challenges to be overcome in the long-term replacement of gas heating, and currently, around 70% of UK housing stock is thought to be unsuitable for heat pumps. It therefore seems sensible to consider using a combination of sources that can complement each other, which could include biomass fuel to provide topup room heating.

Ready to Burn

A great deal of change, regulation and innovation has been required over the last few years, to improve the quality of biomass fuel. From planting to woodland management, through sawmills and the manufacturing process, to how it’s used in our homes and buildings, ensuring a good quality product is now at the forefront of biomass fuel production more than ever.

For example, when the Clean Air Strategy 2019 made a commitment to reduce UK particulate matter emissions by 46% by 2030, new regulations made an explicit connection between improving air quality and using good quality fuel. This was a first step in helping to reduce the emissions emitted by burning wood and solid fuels at home. Wet wood emits around five times more emissions than Ready to Burn fuel, so it’s critical that we get this quality message across to consumers to help them get the best from their fuel.

Importantly, as the certification body for the Ready to Burn scheme, we’re working with producers and suppliers of all shapes and sizes to help them to meet Ready to Burn certification. We’re keen to minimise the burden of administration that meeting new legislation can bring. As such, we also offer expert technical assistance to answer questions and give practical advice for those who need to comply now, and we’re working with the Small Woods Association and others to set up a group scheme for those supplying less than 600m3. Small volume suppliers have until 30 April 2022 to comply with legislation but it’s important that we work together now to find a way for them to share the cost of certification so compliance isn’t prohibitive to their business. Most recently, this includes securing four organisations to run a pilot group scheme for small volume suppliers who the legislation will impact from 30 April 2022.

Amanda Calvert, Woodland Management and Membership Manager at the Small Woods Association, explains: “Many of our members were concerned about the new legislation because the income they generate from the small amount of firewood they produce provides income to help them manage their woodland. Joining the same scheme as bigger producers would wipe out this extra income, so for the past 18 months we’ve been consulting with our members, Woodsure, DEFRA and other stakeholders to devise a low-cost scheme that’s more appropriate to their level of production.

“We’re almost at the stage where we can move forward with a pilot for a group scheme that will enable smaller producers to prove that they are meeting the requirements of the legislation without feeling they would have to compromise the management of their woodland.”

Biomass Suppliers List

Woodsure has also taken over the running of the government’s Biomass Suppliers List (BSL). The BSL is a list of woodfuel that has proven it meets the eligibility requirements for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. It allows RHI participants to demonstrate to Ofgem that the fuel they are using in their biomass boilers meets the sustainability criteria needed to claim their RHI payments.

To join the BSL, suppliers must be able to evidence that the fuel has been produced legally and sustainably. That includes demonstrating that the greenhouse gas emissions generated from the cultivation, processing, transport and burning of their biomass fuel are at least 60% lower than the EU fossil fuel average for heat. Suppliers also need to confirm that the wood has been legally felled and that the woodland has been sustainably managed.

While BSL authorisation doesn’t currently guarantee the quality of fuel, Woodsure does make voluntary provision via a TO JOIN THE BIOMASS SUPPLIERS LIST, SUPPLIERS MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS GENERATED FROM THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, TRANSPORT AND BURNING OF THEIR BIOMASS FUEL ARE AT LEAST 60% LOWER THAN THE EU FOSSIL FUEL AVERAGE FOR HEAT.

fuel quality certification scheme which is used by many BSL suppliers. As of April 2022, new legislation will require suppliers to demonstrate that their fuel is the right quality for the boilers they are supplying. Woodsure will be introducing the fuel quality policy element and working closely with the BSL advisory panel to deliver it.

We continue to make strides in working across the industry to improve quality standards and ensure biomass contributes to a low carbon future. We await the conclusions of the Government’s Biomass Strategy expected towards the end 2021 to provide further guidance on the role the industry will be expected to play.

More information If you’d like to find out more about Woodsure, the Ready to Burn scheme, Biomass Suppliers List, or have questions about compliance, get in touch with Woodsure on 01684 278188 or email info@woodsure.co.uk