Woodfuel heating installations have been tried and tested on the continent for over 30 years, and today we have hundreds of systems in the UK producing renewable heat for buildings such as schools, hospitals, workshops and housing estates.

However, installing any renewable system will require some compromise and correct planning and organisation is the key to success.

A failure to call in experienced bioenergy experts in the planning phase will increase the risks of long-term unplanned stops in service and subsequent increase in costs.

The seven stage woodfuel check list 

1. Recognition of a potential project

• Worn out equipment
• Rising energy bills
• High heat demand
• New build opportunities

2. Pre-Feasibility Study

• Current energy demand, consumption and cost
• Planned energy efficiency measures
• Possible technical considerations
• Time frame needed

3. Cost analysis

• Price
• Payback period
• Comparisons to alternatives

4. Evaluation

• The lowest investment cost should not be a decisive factor when planning a project. It is generally true that low capital investment will equal high operational expenditure in the lifetime of your project. Equally spending a bit more at the beginning can reduce your problems and costs later on.
• It is important that all aspects are considered including: the availability of equipment, experience of suppliers and range of technical solutions.

5. Feasibility study

• This should involve the same issues as before but in more depth.
• Particular care should be taken when calculating the heating system size.
• A fuel availability and supply report. Experience shows that fuel supply markets expand dynamically with increased demand. In most areas the market is at early stages of development. Forward planning and co-operation with existing sawmills, joiners and other wood and agricultural industries has shown excellent results. Pellets can be supplied from imports and in such cases price of delivery will be the only consideration.
• Specification on system components and procurement.
• Planning permission and local authority planning if needed.
• Environmental aspects.
• Finance and return on investment.

6. Decision Making

• The feasibility study should make this process easier!
• After a positive decision each partner in the decision making process must fully understand and take up their agreed commitments.

7. Implementation

• Energy supply agreements - Price and terms of payment. Do you want to buy fuel (and specify delivery, quantities and qualities) or do you want to buy heat?
• Planning and designing the technical plan
• Tender documentation - competitive tendering should be encouraged.
• Procurement - if worried about the risk from smaller suppliers try and obtain a bank guarantee.
• Tendering - companies offering good technical solutions and equipment should be contacted.
• Evaluation of tenders - all suppliers and contractors should provide references. Check them and if possible see any schemes that they have previously done.
• Site work starts. This must be properly project managed by the lead contractor to ensure all the electrical and mechanical work is done to plan.
• Check the Health & Safety standards are met.
• Final plant inspection and approval.
• Operational start up - you will want the contractor to be on hand, and to make sure you have a suitable fuel delivery. Some water vapour can be given off when starting from cold.