Transitioning from coal to wood fuel for heat production

While there is a long tradition of using wood as a fuel for producing heat this has generally been at heat plant being fuelled by wood processing residues for on-site heat for kiln drying. The entry into this market of heat plant owners such as hospitals, schools and food processors who have to purchase wood fuel is creating a wider wood energy market.

Heat plant owners looking to transition from using coal to wood fuel for climate change, environmental and air emission consent reasons are creating a demand for wood fuelled heat plant that is suitable for the wood fuels available.

Transitioning from coal to wood fuel requires engineering advice that not only produces plant fit for purpose but is within a business context where reduction of long term risk is important.

New Wood Energy Handbook for use in New Zealand and Australia is available from the Bioenergy Association.

As a result of the growing demand for transitioning from coal to wood fuel for heat production the Association has prepared a Wood Energy Handbook for engineering consultants.  The Handbook sets out the best practice standards to achieve Quality Wood Energy Systems necessary to manage long term heating risk.

Brian Cox will talk about the wood energy sector and its drivers along with information on barriers and best practice standards.  The Government has indicated a strong interest in renewable heat in the refresh of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NZEECS).

The focus of this presentation  will be to:

• Outline the best practice standards for wood fueled heating
• Indicate the opportunities for the wood energy sector
• Discuss the barriers to greater use of wood energy and solution

About the presenter

Brian Cox is the Executive Officer of the Bioenergy Association and has been involved in the wood energy sector for over 20 years.
The Bioenergy Association is a member based sector organisation representing researchers, consultants, equipment suppliers and facility owners in the waste-to-energy/biogas, liquid biofuels and wood energy activities. Members are active across New Zealand, Australia and SE Asia.
The Association’s Wood Energy Interest Group oversees the development of best practice standards, practitioner training, and market development.  The Association maintains a register of Wood Energy Advisers who have demonstrated that they have the knowledge, skill and experience to advise clients on wood fuelled heat plant opportunities.