Dispelling the Myths / Wood Fuel Myths

	Dispelling the Myths

	Facts and Figures

CRC COMMITMENTS

SUMMARY of Carbon Reduction Commitments : CRC comes into play in April 2010 Will include Government, public sector, hotels, businesses etc Applicable to users of electricity of <6,000MWh/yr Fixed rate until April 2013 - auctions thereafter The new emissions trading scheme (called the Carbon Reduction Commitment or CRC) will cost-effectively deliver carbon emissions reduction and cost savings in the service [...]

LC Energy applauds £10m investment

DECC Press release - 28 September 2009 - £10m for 20 best low carbon communities Opportunity for low carbon communities to shape future policies The Government has today launched a search for local authorities, charities and social enterprises to take up the challenge to help communities fight climate change. Communities can apply for a share of a £10million [...]

DECC - Low Carbon Transition Plan

LC Energy Ltd welcomes the Low Carbon Transition Plan released by the DECC in July which sets out how the UK will meet the 34 percent cut in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020; It says “Transforming the country into a cleaner, greener and more prosperous place to live is at the heart of our [...]

Biomass power plant on Teesside

The news that a £500m Renewable Energy Plant, located at Teesport in north east England, has received consent from the British Government under Section 36 of the Electricity Act is welcomed by LC Energy Ltd. At 295MW capacity, the plant will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 600,000 homes and will be one [...]

DECC - Five Point Plan

LC Energy Ltd welcomes the DECC Five Point Plan for action on UK climate action A concerted programme of action in response to climate change is being pursued across the Government, led by DECC and DEFRA. Starting today with the publication by DEFRA of the latest UK Climate Projections, Ministers will this summer set out the building [...]

DISPELLING THE MYTHS ABOUT
WOOD FUEL

Burning wood fuel is a carbon neutral process because the timber has absorbed the same amount of CO2 during growth as it emits during combustion.

Cutting trees sustainably (rather than de-forestation) will not increase CO2 emissions and is a necessary woodland process to ensure better growth and biodiversity.

Wood fuel boilers can be fully automated, self-igniting systems,
which require weekly or monthly wood fuel top-ups through a local supply contract.

Wood fuel boiler technology and fuel supply infrastructure are not new. The wood fuel industry has been developed and proven to great effect in heating systems across Europe and parts of the UK for over 40 years.

Wood fuel boilers may not require any additional heating or hot water infrastructure and can be connected to existing building pipe work.

Wood fuel ash is only produced in small quantities as long as the fuel quality is high. This ash has an additional benefit as it can be used as a fertiliser for gardens and nurseries.

WHAT IS IT

Wood fuel, also known as biomass, is a simple and highly effective heating fuel alternative to domestic heating fuels (gas, oil, LPG and electricity).

Wood fuel is carbon neutral and is a low-cost option for heating and hot water.

Wood fuel is locally sourced sustainable timber in the form of chips, pellets or logs and is delivered through a long-term supply contract in a similar way to oil.

Wood fuel boiler systems are comparable to fossil fuel boilers in size and operation and can be used in place of or in addition to an existing domestic heating system.

WHY USE WOOD FUEL

There are four significant reasons why wood fuel has been proven to be beneficial;
• It is inexpensive - cheaper than domestic gas, oil, LPG and electricity
• It comes from locally sustainable woodlands - and will not run out
• It is carbon neutral - heat energy is currently the highest source of CO2
• It reduces the dependence on fuel imports - and price uncertainty

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Wood fuel boilers generally have a higher capital cost than fossil fuel alternatives, however the lower cost of the wood fuel provides a quick commercial payback and increasing savings over the longer term.

Wood chips are the cheapest form of wood fuel and can be competitive to gas and oil prices. This means that the cost of the fuel is cheaper than gas or oil at the current price and likely to remain increasingly so in the future.

LOW CARBON - LOW COST - LOCAL