Biomass, Biogas and Diesel Specialists

Scotland’s installers of wood chip and pellet boilers have been extremely busy for several years, wood being a locally-sourced, environment-friendly and cost-effective fuel, but the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is expected to make the use of these alternatives to oil and gas even more attractive, paying perhaps over £100 per year per installed kilowatt, ie. the typical user of a 50kW wood boiler receiving over £5,000 per annum for going green. Not every building can house the larger boiler equipment and fuel storage but where there is room, there is a wide variety of good quality systems available and a growing number of experienced installers. Note, however, that corners cut at the design stage often mean unnecessary hassle for ever more. Independent advice will reduce the risk of this happening

Renewable Energy Specialists in the UK

Some readers may recall the old fashioned straw-fuelled boilers which commonly sat in a barn and supplied heat for the farmhouse. Gone are the days of boilers which leaked about as much heat as they generated and, in the worst case, set your steading alight! Now, straw-fuelled biomass boilers are highly efficient with minimum risk and are pretty much carbon neutral since the crop absorbs the same amount of CO2 during growth as it emits during combustion. Typically using around one high density straw bale per day in winter and one every three days in summer, these boilers can supply enough heat and hot water for one house using some 240 bales per year. These boilers must be readily accessible by forklift/tractor for filling with bales and removing ash. Prices vary from £2,000 to £15,000, depending on size. So, if you are an environmentally conscious arable farmer with no livestock, this could well be the ideal alternative to an oil- or gas-fired heating system.

Bell Ingram Design Architect Bruce Stephens has designing and is currently overseeing the build of Rawes Farm in Perthshire: an Eco Home overlooking the banks of the River Tay in which various green features such as a large straw fuelled biomass boiler in addition to methods of harnessing wind and solar power are being installed.

Biogas and Biodiesel

Biodiesel production and Anaerobic Digestion to generate biogas is common in many European countries and the technology is increasingly being considered in the UK. With grants and other incentives available there are situations where these processors can make good financial sense, usually when they fulfil a variety of benefits to a business in terms of waste reduction and management, energy security and cost control. A thorough resource and feasibility study is always the necessary starting point.

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