Woodfuel is a clean renewable energy source that makes a substancial contribution to the UK's renewable energy targets and makes an impact on climate change. 

Wood as a heating fuel

Woodfuel can be directly competitive with fossil fuels in a number of market segments and with yet more rises in the cost of oil and gas in 2008 its use is can be clearly demonstrated in the table below: (*Opportunities for the Market Development of Wood Heating in the East of England, 2005)

Fuel Type	Average Fuel Price	Unit	Fuel Price (p / KWh)	Heat Cost (p / KWh)	Saving - p / KWh vs. High Quality Woodfuel Chip
High quality woodchips	55.00	£ / tonne	1.6	1.88
Heating Oil	60.00	p / litres	3.29	4.39	2.51
Natural Gas	1.60	p / KWh	1.60	2.37	0.49
Tanked Gas	35	p / litre	5.38	7.17	5.30
Coal	80	£ / tonne	1.03	1.58	-0.29
Electricity (off peak)	4.00	p / KWh	4.00	4.44	2.57
Electricity (peak)	6.50	p / KWh	6.50	7.22	5.35

 Notes:

ü High quality woodfuel chip assumed to be delivered at £55 / tonne at 30% moisture content (figures for 2005)

ü Prices of other fuels indicative only and subject to significant variation according to scale of use, location of user and short-term market fluctuations

ü Wood boiler seasonal (year-round) efficiencies for well specified plant assumed to be higher than conventional fossil-fuelled plant due to sophisticated combustion controls giving high spot efficiency (>90%) and modulating (load following) capability.

CO2Benefits:

 

						Total CO2 savings to heat a typical house compared with³
	Direct CO2 Emisions (Kg / MWh)	Approx. Lifecycle CO² Emissions¹ (Kg / MWh)	Total CO2 Emissions to heat a typical house² (Tonnes)		Oil (Tonnes)	Natural Gas (Tonnes)
Oil	264	313	6.26		0	-1.96
Natural Gas	185	215	4.3		1.96	0
Electricity (UK Grid)	460	540	10.8		-4.54	-6.5
Electricity (Wood Combustion)	2100	58	1.16		5.1	3.14
Electricity (Wood Gasification)	1050	25	0.5		5.76	3.8
Wood Heating (Oven Dry)	345	5	0.1		6.1	4.2
Wood pellets (10% Moisture Content)	349	15	0.3		6.7	5.1
Wood Chip (25% Moisture Content)	354	7	0.14		6.86	5.26

 

¹ Includes all associated processes including fuel production, processing, transport & storage, and power generation equipment                                                                           

² Based on annual consumption of 20,000 KWh                                                                                   

³ Negative numbers correspond to greater C02 emissions