As the consequences of how we treat the environment have come to light over the past decade, we have become much more concerned about them. Business organisations should be leaders in sustainability, so it can be challenging to make changes to respect and benefit the environment. Reusing materials like wood chip can reduce your carbon footprint and positively impact the environment. A sustainable wood chip sourcing process and timber production strategy, and eco-friendly energy practices will be explored in this article.
What are Wood Chips?
Wood chips are chunks of wood collected from woodlands, such as trees, roots, stumps, branches, bark, and other wood supply waste. Wood chippers with automated handling, for example, can have different settings so that the chips can be different sizes.
Alternatively, a supply of wood pellets, timber residual bark, and logs can be used as biomass boiler alternatives.
Sustainable Wood Chip as Fuel
Using a sustainable supply of wood chip instead of fossil fuels is much better for the environment. This is the most compelling reason we support and manufacture wood chip since biomass is a superior alternative heat source to coal, natural gas, and oil. As a sustainable fuel option that is carbon neutral, wood chip can power engines and biomass reactors to generate heat for everyone. A significant advantage of biomass is that it does not produce smoky emissions during combustion.
Are you interested in learning more about biomass energy? Contact us today!
How Do You Source Wood Sustainably?
Certified wood fuel ensures that forests are sustainably managed and replant trees as they are harvested and burned. Furthermore, it ensures that woodlands and forests are managed and their resources are not exploited, thus reducing the effects of global warming.
A sustainable forest management tactic provides a sustainable and reliable supply of wood. Forest stewardship and sustainability takes a long-term rather than a short-term view of the resource, protecting the forests, watersheds, wildlife, and trees. By doing this, we can sustainably source it to make top-quality wood chips and wood pellets.
In this context, sustainability refers to the forest lasting for generations to come, absorbing carbon emissions and maintaining clean air quality for generations to come while also serving as a haven for wildlife.
Eco-Friendly Wood Chip for Biomass Boilers
Our supply of quality chips can be used in various ways, but one of the most common is biomass boilers to produce heat. Just like using wood chip, biomass boilers are much better than boilers using fossil fuels to power them. Here are some biomass energy advantages and disadvantages.
What are the Advantages of Sustainable Wood Chip Boilers?
- An annual carbon dioxide reduction of up to 9.5 tons can be achieved by replacing a coal or electric boiler with a biomass boiler.
- In addition to being an environmentally friendly heat source, biomass is also a renewable resource. Since biomass can be generated relatively quickly by replanting or growing new plants and trees, it is considered a renewable energy source as opposed to coal, which needs much longer to regenerate.
- Plants re-absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide released by burnt biomass, making it suited to a carbon-neutral energy source. Furthermore, it helps us dispose of wood and other waste materials.
- With the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI), biomass boilers and stoves qualify for periodic payments over several years, and this is for both businesses and households. As a result, you can repay your initial investment more quickly.
- Oil and gas prices will unlikely decrease anytime soon as traditional fuel prices steadily increase. Biomass boilers require much cheaper and more stable biomass, so your bills won’t go up dramatically. Additionally, a biomass boiler is an ideal replacement for electric heating and solid fuel since its prices are comparable to gas prices. This makes your life much easier, knowing not much will change!
- The UK’s commitment to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 suggests this trend will continue. As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), renewable energy consumption is also monitored by stakeholders, and compliant biomass boilers powered by eco-friendly wood chip could be one of the ways forward for clean energy and meeting sustainability requirements set out. We also have a blog on two of the most critical sustainability goals regarding sustainability requirements and energy consumption: Sustainable Cities and Communities and Affordable and Clean Energy.
Biomass Boilers Disadvantages
- Compared to gas or oil boilers, biomass boilers require more space. In addition to the boiler, you would also need some space for the fuel itself.
- Compared to oil or gas boilers, biomass boilers require a higher initial investment, including buying and installing the boiler. Depending on the manufacturer, biomass boiler prices can range from £4,000 – £8,000. However, like the above, the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme can partially cover some costs. You’ll also save money using a cheaper energy source in the long run!
- The combustion of biomass emits carbon dioxide, unlike other renewable sources of energy. During burning, planted trees release carbon dioxide that is taken from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. As a result of the closed CO2 cycle, biomass heating can be considered a renewable resource.
- Biomass fuel must remain dry to ensure the biomass fuel quality is still top-notch and allows for efficient burning. Therefore, it is essential to consider the storage conditions carefully.
- Biomass boilers require more maintenance than traditional gas and oil boilers because pellets and chips need to be continuously supplied.
- To maintain the efficiency of biomass boilers, they need to be cleaned about once a week. However, it is much simpler with new automatic modern models, so you won’t have to do anything!
- You should find a fuel supplier near you to reduce your carbon footprint and delivery costs, and we can help!
From South East to North West, we deliver ALL over the UK; call us today!
Should I Buy Wood Chips Locally?
Expanding on the sustainability point above, yes, you should buy locally because it makes the supply of quality wood fuel you use even more sustainable because less transportation is required to get the product to you.
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, always buy locally, not just for wood chip but for anything you purchase. Additionally, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting the local economy and businesses in the UK. Several biomass suppliers are available in the UK, with suppliers such as ourselves! The examples in this article show how you can use wood chip in an environmentally friendly way, and we as suppliers are happy to help you determine the price and the type of quality woodchip you need.
We provide wood fuel to customers through a fully integrated business model at Woodyfuel. As a green wood fuel company, we collect, process, and recycle locally managed woodlands material and supply wood chip to our customers. With our years of experience, we are always here to answer any questions you or clients may have about wood chip or other products we offer customers (such as our brash removal services or wood pellets).
Conclusion
To conclude, biomass wood fuel can be used as a renewable energy source that offers both environmental and economic advantages. Using them reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, supports local economies, reduces carbon emissions, and provides us with a reliable energy source. Biomass wood chip will undoubtedly play a growing role as we move towards a more sustainable energy future.
Contact Woodyfuel today for more information on quality, sustainable wood chip for biomass boilers.
