A selection of links, organised by category, to other, generally non-commercial, biomass related websites and resources, including local producer groups
Categories
Biomass in the UK
Wales biomass links
Links to biomass relatedwebsites and resourcesspecific to Wales
Wood Energy in Natural Resources Wales
Forestry in Wales is now within Natural Resources Wales. Natural Resources Wales supports the wood fuel industry, which provides a valuable growing market for timber growers and processors in Wales.
Awel Aman Tawe community energy
A community energy project in the Upper Swansea and Amman Valleys
Centre For Alternative Land Use
CALU is Wales’ Development Centre with responsibility for knowledge and technology transfer in relation to biomass energy
Coed Cymru
Coed Cymru is an all Wales initiative to promote the management of broadleaf woodlands and the use of locally grown hardwood timber in Wales. Includes information and advice on wood pellets and woodfuel heating
Training and courses
Some training courses and organizations covering aspects of biomass and woodfuel production and supply and equipment installation
Installer training
The course provides background information to enable the engineer to carry out feasibility studies, professionally advise the client, consider fuel type and storage options as well as design systems and installations to suit the varying site circumstances.
HETAS also offer a range of other training courses
HETAS Training courses dates
List of dates for all HETAS training courses
The Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth have a continuing programme of short courses
Woodfuel Courses
Ignite Woodfuel courses
Ignite is the UK’s only programme of accredited woodfuel supply chain training. Developed by Rural Development Initiatives Ltd., a not for profit company, since 2004 Ignite courses have been attended by over 850 trainees across the UK. Courses are delivered by RDI in conjunction with a variety of organisations and are designed specifically for those involved in the woodfuel supply chain including contractors, managers, owners and advisors. Courses include a mix of presentations, exercises and field trips to ensure trainees take away practical information they can use in their day to day work. All trainees receive a workbook, resources CD and free unlimited post course mentoring (e-mail/telephone)
Click on the link above for current course dates and venues
If there isn’t a course listed to suit you please contact RDI on ignite@ruraldevelopment.org.uk. Bespoke and in-house courses can be arranged and delivered anywhere in the UK
See www.ruraldevelopment.org.uk/events for more information or the events page for course dates. To book on any of the Ignite woodfuel courses please contact Erica Spencer at Rural Development Initiatives: Tel: 0845 226 2890, e-mail: Erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk
Other courses
South West Woodfuel Events
A series of one-day events will provide attendees with a mix of practical boiler/fuel demonstrations and an opportunity to listen to speakers with direct experience of working in the biomass industry. They are aimed at any individual either already working within the woodfuel supply chain or planning to do so. Follow the link above for current event information
Scotland biomass links
Links to biomass relatedwebsites and resourcesspecific to Scotland
This Forestry Commission-supported website provides the basic information you need to use woodfuel, from heating your home to developing a large-scale energy plant
Forestry Commission Scotland: The Wood Fuel Task Force Report
Forestry Commission Scotland: The Wood Fuel Task Force Report response
Bioenergy can play a major part in helping the Scottish Government achieve its renewable energy targets and the Woodfuel Task Force – comprising organisations from across the biofuels sector – was set up in June 2007 with the aim of increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production. The Wood Fuel Task Force has provided a report to the Environment Minister which makes 26 recommendations aimed at boosting bioenergy in Scotland. See also the Wood Fuel Task force Response by the Scottish Government
Forestry Commission Scotland: Renewables and Bio-Energy
Scottish Renewables grants and loans
Scottish Renewables
Scotland’s forum for the renewable energy industry
Virgin wood
Some links to websites and organizations concerned with virgin wood supply
From the National Energy Foundation
An informative website from Forestry Commission Scotland giving a great deal of information on the woodfuel supply chain in Scotland and using wood as a fuel
A project hosted by the National Energy Foundation to promote and support the use of wood as a fuel for heating and energy
This website includes a very valuable database of suppliers of woodfuel, including wood pellets and equipment such as boilers and stoves
Practical advice regarding energy
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe/Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Wood Energy website
From the Forestry Commission England
Natural Resources Wales
and
from Forest Research
Forest Research – estimates of woodfuel availability in regions across the country
Research and projects
Links to organizations and projects involved in biomass and woodfuel research
Britain’s principal organisation for forestry and tree related research
Forest Research Social and Economic Research Group
The SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub aims to bring together industry, academia and other stakeholders to focus on the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable and cost-effective manner
The Phyllis 2 database, hosted by the Energy Centre of the Netherlands
UK biomass networks
A number of key academic and research networks in the UK operating in the field of biomass and bioenergy
IBERS brings together the Institutes of Rural Sciences and Biological Sciences at Aberystwyth University, and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER)
The Rural Economy and Land Use Programme
The SUPERGEN Biomass and Bioenergy Consortium aims to provide a recognised focus for UK biomass and bioenergy activities that unites key stakeholders and academia through leading edge research in renewable energy
The UK Energy Research Centre’s mission is to be the UK’s pre-eminent centre of research, and source of authoritative information and leadership, on sustainable energy systems
UKERC undertakes world-class research addressing whole-systems aspects of energy supply and use, while developing and maintaining the means to enable cohesive UK research in energy
Energy crops
Some links to key UK websites concerning energy crops
Information on the non food uses of agricultural crops
on the Forest Research website
These maps are to be used as a tool to provide guidance to those seeking to develop energy crops. They show the best areas for growing the crops plus the areas where this is not appropriate or care would need to be taken from an environmental point of view
England biomass links
Links to biomass relatedwebsites and resourcesspecific to England, including regional organizations
Countrywide
Forestry Commission England Woodfuel home page
This site details the background, aims and methods used in a study of the potentially available Woodfuel Resource in Great Britain, and presents the findings in an interactive manner
A source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies in the UK
Represents British renewable energy producers and promotes the use of sustainable energy in the UK
A not-for-profit organisation representing farmers growing energy crops
North England
Woodfuel heating in the North of England
A publication from the National Non-food Crops Centre. A practical guide, covering technologies, options, costs, contract options and case studies (PDF – 2.1 MB)
North East
Forestry Commission: Sustainability in North East England
Forestry Commission: supporting Northwoods woodland initiative
Northwoods
Supporting the North East’s forestry and woodland businesses
North West
Forestry Commission: Woodfuel in North West England
Cumbria Woodlands
The main area of our work has shifted from providing simple advisory visits to becoming more focussed on working with farmers and businesses on how woodlands and forests can contribute to a vibrant rural economy. We are encouraging the land-owning community and wood-using businesses to think in a different way about how their woodland resources can help them make a sustainable living
Yorkshire and the Humber
FC Yorkshire and The Humber woodfuel directory
(PDF – 4.7 MB)
Yorwoods
A partnership based organisation that works with all parts of the forest industry to improve the sectors contribution towards sustainable rural development in the Yorkshire & the Humber Region
Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE)
Intelligent Energy Europe is an EU programme for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Its aim is to produce and use energy in more intelligent ways increasing the use of renewables
The AFO (Activating Forest Owners) project is funded regionally by the IEE. The AFO project is working to activate forest owners and increase the wood fuel supply at both regional and local levels
West Midlands
Heartwoods
Promoting use of woodfuel, supporting woodland businesses and encouraging management of neglected woodlands in the West Midlands
Marches Wood Energy Network
Marches Wood Energy Network Ltd (MWEN) is a non-profit making company dedicated to the development of wood energy in the West Midlands
East Midlands
Forestry Commission: Woodfuel in the East Midlands
East of England
Forestry Commission: Woodfuel in the East of England
East of England Development Agency: Cut Your Carbon campaign
Cut your Carbon is a recently launched three-year £2,500,000 campaign and competition, led by EEDA that aims to bring together communities in the East of England to tackle climate change. Groups taking part are able to use a unique community based carbon footprint calculator to measure their carbon footprint, get help to become more energy efficient, use social networking software to bring their group together and win EEDA funding of up to £200,000 per project for projects that apply fresh thinking to cutting carbon emissions
South East of England
Forestry Commission: Woodfuel in South East England
Wood Heat Solutions
Wood Heat Solutions aims to increase the number of woodfired heating systems used in the UK, Slovenia and Croatia, by using lessons learned from successful wood heat projects in Finland and Austria. A Google map of operational and potential suppliers and users of wood heat in South East England has been written as part of the project, available here.
Reports are also available with details of two study tours that have been conducted by the project to:
Finland
(PDF – 1.0 MB)
Austria
(PDF – 766 kB)
South West
RegenSW
The renewable energy agency for the South West of England
Severn Wye Energy Agency
SWEA is a charitable company, with a programme of work to develop the sustainable use of energy in the South West and Mid Wales.
SWEA projects cover energy efficiency, renewable energy, affordable warmth and sustainable transport, and include the provision of an Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) for households in Gloucestershire and a portfolio of other projects
Waste wood
Links to some key contacts working with waste wood, wood recycling and industrial wastes
WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change
Materials covered include wood waste and food waste
Set up in 2001, the WRA is a trade association with 50 member companies and represents the interests of the wood recycling sector to governments, to the environment agencies and other regulatory authorities in the UK
Wood pellet links
Links to websites concerning wood and biomass pellets
A Europe wide project to map biomass pellet manufacture, prices, volumes and trade
The Log Pile website, run by the National Energy Foundation, includes lists of suppliers of woodfuel and of wood and pellet stoves and boilers
A non-profit association that served the pellet industry, which is comprised of pellet mills, pellet appliance manufacturers and industry suppliers. The Institute is active in educating consumers about the convenience and practicality of using wood pellet fuel in both residential and commercial applications
Ukrainian Biofuel Portal is a specialized Internet resource on biomass and biofuel that is oriented on promotion of solid biofuel in Europe. It contains articles, information about upcoming conferences dedicated to renewable energy
Northern Ireland biomass links
Some links to biomass related websites and resources of particular relevance to Northern Ireland
Action Renewables
The leading organisation in Northern Ireland in the promotion and development of renewable energy
Forest Service Northern Ireland
Forestry education, forest industry, forestry and the environment, forest planning within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Producer groups
Some local woodchip producer groups
The Woodfuel Suppliers’ Group (WSG) was established to set a benchmark standard in the woodfuel sector to provide customers with reassurance on fuel quality and service levels. In support of this they help members to access information, share best practice, network and promote professionalism in the sector. It is affiliated to the Renewable Energy Association, and is managed by ConFor, the membership organization for those working in the forest industries. In order to raise standards, and increase customer confidence in wood as a fuel, the WSG supports certain approved woodfuel quality accreditation schemes and requires that all members either have such accreditation or are working towards it. It is intended that membership of WSG is seen as a mark of a dependable, professional company, offering quality products and a high standard of service. For membership enquiries contact ConFor.
Government and public organisations, networks and trade associations links
Links to some key government organizations, networks and trade associations working in the field of biomass
The government department responsible for the protection of Britain’s forests and woodlands. The Forestry Commission is supporting the development of woodfuel, see:
Guidance on how to comply with the requirements of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Renewables Obligation (RO) and Contracts for Difference (CFD) using woody biomass.
Britain’s principle organisation for forestry and tree related research. Forest Research, the wider Forestry Commission and the woodland industries are working together to assist the development of a substantial woodfuel industry throughout the UK. This site includes details of the background, aims and methods used in a study of the potentially available woodfuel resource in Great Britain, and presents the findings in an interactive manner
A project in 2003 to assess the potentially available woodfuel resource in Great Britain. This resource can be broken down into different categories, and by region. Also Woodfuel Resource in Britain: Appendices.
The UK trade association for the modern biomass heating industry. Brings together wood fuel suppliers, biomass boiler and stove installers and distributors, energy companies and developers
Biomass fuel suppliers accredited to supply systems funded under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
An organisation which help business and the public sector cut carbon emissions
An independent charity which seeks to advance sustainable energy policy and practice
The Association for Decentralised Energy is the leading decentralised energy advocate, focused on creating a more cost effective, efficient and user-orientated energy system
A source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies in the UK
The UK organization representing all aspects of renewable energy production and use
Renewable Energy Statistics database compiled by AEA Energy & Environment on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry. The study was initially supported by the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat) whose objective was to encourage the collection of renewable energy statistics across all EU Member States to a standard format
Agricultural Research, including energy crops and especially Miscanthus
The Solid Fuel Association is funded by solid fuel producers and distributors and was established to encourage greater awareness of the benefits of domestic solid fuel heating among the general public. Operating as an advice centre, the Solid Fuel Association welcomes communication on all matters concerning the use of solid fuels both from domestic consumers and professionals such as heating installers and architects
