Matthew Woodcock Forestry Commission – South East & London Making the most from woodfuel.

Matthew Woodcock

Forestry Commission – South East & London

Making the most from woodfuel

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What is Woodheat Solutions?

Project led by the Forestry Commission and sponsored by the European Union to transfer knowledge from Austria and Finland where woodheat is a well established industry to England, Slovenia and Croatia where the industry is developing.

Slovenian Forestry Institute

Technical Research Centre of Finland

Styrian Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry

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Undermanaged woodland

Undermanaged mixed (conifer/broadleaf)

woodland planted in the 1950’s

Typical broadleaved woodland of south east England – overstood coppice last cut > 40 years agoAlso ancient woodland with high ecological value – declining through under-management

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Pay for energy

Weight and moisture content have the greatest impact on energy value. Test energy value using domestic scales and oven

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Value of wood as a heat source?

• As we all appreciate unseasoned wood comprises around 50% water, and water doesn’t burn well!

• When seasoned to 30% wood can deliver about 3,500kWhs per tonne

But different species vary in density:

• Broadleaved wood approx. 2,500 kWhs per m3

• Conifer around 1,800 kWhs per m3

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Compared to heating oil:

• Heating oil at 60 pence per litre• Provides 10kWhrs per litre • Cost = 6 pence per kWhr

• Seasoned broadleaf wood (30% MC)• Provides 2,500 kWhrs per m3

• The cost of heating oil to deliver the same heat = > £150 per m3

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Energy value of conifers

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Energy value of broadleaves

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Making the most of woodfuel?

• Be a market maker:• Supply your own heat;• Sell heat to others;• Supply local, quality woodfuel via long term contracts

• Optimise the ‘wood to warmth supply chain’

• Know your product:• Calorific value• Quality – CEN Standards

• Market its’ benefits:• Natural• Sustainable• Delivers biodiversity, landscape, etc

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Stansted Park – self supply

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Hoathly Hill – woodheat distribution

Energy centre

Heat distribution

network (underground

hot water pipe)

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Small scale CCHP

Waitrose

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Medium scale CHP

BAA – Heathrow T2

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Markets stimulate new woods

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Difficult land