Wood, along with all vegetable matter, is also known as 'Biomass'. Burning it as fuel is generally described as 'carbon neutral'.

This means that it emits no more greenhouse gas than was absorbed by the biomass as it grew.  Of course all biomass fuels require some level of energy input into processing and transport, but so do fossil fuels. As long as biomass fuels are cultivated in a sustainable way their effect on the earth's atmosphere is minimal.

Domestic automated wood fuel boilers are refuelled with wood chips or pellets from a lorry, very like oil, LPG or coal, and their prices can be competitive, especially if you have no access to the mains gas network. They burn very efficiently so smoking is minimal. Cheaper pellet systems are best suited to single dwellings. Large buildings or groups of buildings can use cheaper wood chip.

Biomass heating, by domestic or communal boilers as well as combined heat & power systems, are used widely in many parts of Europe. Scotland, with its large and growing supplies of maturing softwoods, is well placed to tap into this market, given the right encouragement. Grants for boilers and equipment are now available. Good opportunities are presenting themselves for both users and suppliers.

You might be interested to read the Scottish Parliament Biomass Report.

Yes, householders and community groups in Scotland can access grants from the Scottish Executive. These grants are managed jointly by the Energy Saving Trust and the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company. Householders can access capital funding of up to £4,000 (ex-VAT) and community organisations can access up to £10,000 for feasibility assistance and up to £100,000 for capital assistance.
For more information call the Energy Agency on 01292-521896 or the EST helpline on 0800 138 8858.

To view a community wood pellet project click on the following:

See EST factsheet, case study 3.

For further information on SCHRI grants see www.est.co.uk/schri. 

Further information can also be found at www.nef.co.uk/logpile.

Accredited installers and accredited equipment.