Project Methodology
Aim
To facilitate an approach for the accurate appraisal of biomass utilisation from an end user perspective.
Description
The rationale for undertaking this project is two-fold. Firstly, on a general level, energy policy in the United Kingdom is changing to take account of issues relating to climate change, security of supply and the rising cost of fossil fuels. This has led to broader view as regards the fuel sources through which energy needs are met.
Within this context biomass has become a viable means of meeting the demand of many buildings and organisations. This is primarily due to the fact that there is a large potential supply available, as a fuel it is storable and the environmental and financial costs are favourable when compared to fossil fuels. It is also acknowledged that biomass woodfuel production can play a key role in rural development.
However biomass is a fledgling industry in Scotland at the current time. Therefore there is currently a considerable degree of uncertainty as regards the most effective manner in which to bring together all the relevant aspects which are required in delivering a fossil fuel to biomass conversion project. This project therefore aims to act as a resource which any individual or organisations can utilise to assess the feasibility of biomass as a fuel source to suit their specific requirements.
Secondly, from the point of satisfying our industrial contact; Barony College requires a new heating system and believes biomass could be an attractive option from a financial, environmental and educational perspective. Our project aims to assess if this is the case and make useful recommendations as regards selecting an ideal replacement system.
Procedure
In order to deliver this project the team initially conducted a literature review of relevant information relating to the project. This information represents the base level of knowledge an individual or organisation should comprehend before embarking on a biomass project and provided an informed basis from which to build our methodology.
On a technical level this included investigation into standard boiler design and the combustion technology developed to utilise biomass. To understand supply in more detail an investigation of the various forms in which biomass fuels arise was undertaken alongside an outline of the current biomass heating market in Scotland; the latter being contrasted with successful examples from Austria and Sweden. Finally potential solid waste and emissions impacts from biomass combustion are analysed to ensure the environmental credentials of biomass are delivered.
Barony College
Following this review the main body of the project is built. This involved proposing the general methodology and applying it to the specific case of Barony College i.e. using the college as a case study to demonstrate the rationale of the model. Each step within the methodology may require one or several pieces of specific research for the college. For example demand assessment (step two) requires clarification of demand profiles i.e. summer/winter/daily, final size of system required (in kW), electricity to heat demand ratio and consideration of demand reduction measures.
The methodology will deliver the ideal outcome for the college by assessing all fuel options (chips / pellets / energy crops / slurry) and the technologies to utilise them (combustion / anaerobic digestion / CHP) and then selecting the most suitable. It is not simply an exercise in establishing feasibility for a woodchip system. This case study will also demonstrate the value of the methodology in mitigating financial and legislation compliance hurdles.
The project will also include a smaller case study of the North Lanarkshire biomass cluster project; which encompasses four systems. This is based upon information provided to us from Ron Hill of North Lanarkshire Council. This section of the project will allow comparison between a project that has been completed, along with all the lessons which have been learned, and one which is in its infancy.
To conclude this section of the project conclusions will be drawn on the model and recommendations made to Barony College as regards the ideal path to take.
Key Objectives
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 which can be followed, by any organisation, to deliver a successful biomass project.
3. To deliver key recommendations to Barony College as regards utilising biomass.