Conclusions & Recommendations
Introduction:
This section will outline the key conclusions drawn and recommendations made as a result of our research. Firstly the ‘Biomass Feasibility Assessment Schematic’ will be critiqued as regards its value as an assessment tool and potential shortcomings. Secondly key observations, arisen as part of our research activities, on the current state of the biomass industry in Scotland at the present time will be offered. Finally a summery of fundamental recommendations, developed through our use of the schematic, for Barony College’s consideration is stated.
At this stage it is useful to recap on the three key objectives outlined in our project methodology: -
1. To assess the key issues which underpin the utilisation of biomass in Scotland (technology/supply/market/environmental considerations).
2. To establish a comprehensive and easily understandable methodology. This can be followed, by any organisation, to deliver a comprehensive biomass feasibility assessment.
3. To deliver key recommendations to Barony College as regards utilising biomass.
‘Biomass Feasibility Assessment Schematic’ – Evaluation:
From utilising the methodology the following key points have been raised over its benefits and drawbacks. The purpose of the schematic diagram is to outline a generic flow-path which should bring together all the relevant activities an organisation is required to undertake when evaluating the potential of biomass. We intended this methodology to be suitable for any organisation or individual. The methodology contains seven key stages with essential activities which should be addressed in order before advancing.
Benefits:
• Provides an objective assessment as to whether biomass is an appropriate fuel source and assists in identifying the most suitable technology.
• For an individual who has not previous experience or knowledge of biomass the schematic sets out a logical order to gather knowledge and therefore saves wasted time i.e. an extensive evaluation of funding possibilities when there is no viable local supply.
• Leads to independent evaluation without being pushed in any particular direction from an equipment supplier or consultant.
• Outlines the key factors to consider in making an evaluation of building demand.
• Encourages a thorough evaluation of supply i.e. how far away is it, how much is needed, comparison with fossil fuels etc.
• Facilitates early dialogue with potential suppliers.
• Is open to assessing all potential fuels not just woodchips.
• Leads the user to consider the feasibility of CHP.
• Stresses the need for a stringent financial evaluation.
• Legislation issues are often an afterthought, the schematic forces the user to consider potential environmental impacts and managing them prior to any installation.
Drawbacks:
• Although intended to be suitable for any individual or organisation there is a natural bias towards large buildings due to the fact that it was designed with Barony College in mind. For example CHP is far more viable on a larger scale; the methods of calculating demand are stated with larger buildings in mind.
• The methods postulated to estimate demand are reasonably complex and the layman may struggle to perform these calculations.
• In terms of supply, in many cases what is viable is already determined by the building in question, for example a small building will be far more likely to utilise wood pellets and anaerobic digestion will be totally unsuitable.
• Many projects will not be able to go ahead without funding. Therefore they may need to be altered to fit specific scheme requirements, this will require working backwards.
The Scottish Biomass Industry – Observations:
• There are numerous organisations (for example the Forestry Commission, Scottish Enterprise, Forest Industries Cluster) and web resources to offer assistance with establishing biomass fuels.
• Forestry covers approximately 17% of Scotland’s land area. Presently, the Forestry Commission and Scottish Executive are actively encouraging the growth of biomass in Scotland, which looks set to become a far more widely utilised fuel source. Therefore, these facts suggest there is sufficient fuel to expand the biomass market in Scotland.
• It was found that there are currently few suppliers of wood fuel in Scotland. Those which are trading however, such as Buccleuch Bio-Energy in the Scottish Borders are finding the market profitable and hoping to expand.
• At present all the leading biomass technology is manufactured in Europe, with Austria being the world leader. There are, however a number of suppliers in Scotland who provide a supply, install and maintain service for biomass systems. They supply systems from manufacturers such as Kob, Fröling, Compte and Veto.
• At present the higher financial costs associated with biomass systems may hinder the industries widespread development i.e. as the success of many projects may be tied to the outcome of funding applications.
• The legislative picture is not entirely clear at present. It is anticipated though that this situation will resolve itself as biomass becomes more mainstream.
• The potential for Anaerobic Digestion is underestimated when it comes to biomass projects.
• Financially the running costs associated with woodchips are very competitive with fossil fuels. Any future fossil fuel price rises will only serve to make biomass more attractive.
• There is a wide variety of funding schemes available to support biomass and the newly created Scottish Biomass Support Scheme is a welcome addition. Many funding programmes are quite specific about what they support however which may leave good projects without support.
Key Information & Recommendations for Barony College:
The following are key outcomes from the utilisation of the feasibility assessment methodology to the case of Barony College. For more detailed information reference should be made to the related Barony College case study.
• There is a clear need for a new heating system, the current portfolio of heating systems (electric wet, oil and LPG) is complex, expensive, inflexible, unable to meet demand and has high maintenance requirements.
• Current running costs are estimated at approximately £35,000.
• Demand has been estimated at 272kW (constant, heating and hot water) in the winter and 12kW (constant, hot water) in the summer. Peaks are 630 kW for heat and 100kW for hot water.
• There are two potential biomass fuel supplies; these are wood fuel and slurry from animal waste and vegetable matter.
• Woodchips are the most viable form of wood fuel. There are three possible alternatives for supply:1. Purchase green round wood, dry and chip on site.
2. Purchase woodchips from a local supplier i.e. estate, sawmill.
3. Go to an ESCo for supply, maintenance etc.• At 30% moisture content 244 tonnes of woodchips will be required. This equates to 325 green tonnes for scenario one.
• The group is certain that there will be a woodchip supply chain within the Dumfries and Galloway area that will be able to support a biomass system installed at Barony College. This is based on the fact that there is a large amount of forestry in the area and 15 sawmills all of which could be potential suppliers.
• Organisations have already been set up to supply biomass for the new E.ON power station in Lockerbie, and it is believed this will encourage others to enter into the market. With assistance from the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme it is anticipated these new suppliers will be trading within the next two years.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can be ruled out on the grounds of significant investment costs and the fact the heat to electricity ratio is not suitable during the summer.
• Anaerobic Digestion of slurry can be ruled out due to high expense and labour requirements.
• At the scale set by demand the only suitable systems currently available use direct combustion (for example fluidised bed technology can be ruled out).
• We have identified the following two systems are suitable for Barony College: The Kob Pyrtec 400 from 3G Energi in Kelso, a 400kW rated underfeed stoker and The Fröling Turbomat 320 from Highland Wood Energy in Fort William, a 320kW rated system. Both come with an accumulator tank to increase availability and a moving floor feed system.
• It is recommended Barony College retains the 335kW oil system in Kirkmichael House. This could satisfy the summer hot water demand to ensure the biomass system is not running inefficiently at unfeasibly low load (which can result in unwanted emissions such as NOx). There would also be the added benefit of providing back up should the new biomass boiler be unavailable and top up at times of peak demand
• A fuel store in the region of 60m^3 volume will be required.
• Financially biomass is an attractive proposition; the net present value of investing in a biomass system is more competitive than keeping the existing system or using the available alternative fossil fuel system (oil).
• Payback period of a biomass system varies from 3.5 to 6 years (dependant on model and fuel scenario).
• To satisfy legislation it is essential to make contact with both SEPA and the relevant Local Authority.
• Moving to a biomass system will save 530 tonnes of CO2 annually.
• Funding sources are available, the most likely being the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme or Low Carbon Buildings Programme (phase one or two).
Further Work Required:
• Set project timescale
• Identify supplier.
• Agree fuel supply contract.
• Select system.
• Clarify exact legislative position (for system selected).
• Apply for funding.
