TOPIC 'Bioenergy' on Feb 03, 2009 (CET)
Bring Back Log Fires, Says The U.K.’s Carbon Trust
Let’s go back to the “good old days” when living was simpler. The Carbon Trust is publishing, “Practical Guide,” which will outline methods for companies and organizations to replace electric, oil, and gas heating with new biomass technologies. This switch will have the effect of saving money on utility bills while at the same time reducing carbon emissions.
The “Practical Guide” is a publication that will show you how to transfer your current energy use to “small-scale waste-to-energy and wood-fired heating systems.” Utilizing straw- or wood-fired systems can save between “two and four pence per kilowatt hour” than alternately employing heating oil. As one example, an average size school using biomass to produce 1,600MWh of energy for heat could save up to £50,000 annually.
Mark Williamson, the Director of Innovations at Carbon Trust (a government-backed agency), has stated that “We have become so reliant on oil, gas and electricity that many businesses just are not aware of the cost and carbon benefits of turning to biomass for their heating supply.” This is just one more method that the U.K. intends to utilize to meet its renewable energy goals and reduce carbon emissions.
Heating has been proven to amount of nearly half of the U.K.’s total carbon emissions. It is believed that biomass alternatives will have the effect of reducing carbon emissions up to 90 percent compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. Even more reason to consider using biomass is the fact that biomass prices are far less volatile than fossil fuels. Another benefit is the jobs that a biomass technology sector would bring to the economy and the mitigation of a potential amount of waste from landfills that would also result.
The Carbon Trust is offering businesses interest-free loans to assist with upgrading to boilers fueled with biomass material to make the switch to equipment that is more energy efficient. The Forestry Commission is also on the alert to increase biomass production to ensure supply will meet demand.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
