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News Release from: Forestry Commission | Subject: Woodfuel Development Programme
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 October 2005
Trees, the real power plants
Forestry Commission Scotland has announced the launch of the Woodfuel Development Programme for the west of Scotland to promote the use of wood as a sustainable clean source of heat and power.
Forestry Commission Scotland has announced the launch of the Woodfuel Development Programme for the west of Scotland to promote the use of wood as a sustainable clean source of heat and power To lead on this innovative project, operating throughout Ayrshire, Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, a new Woodfuel Information Officer, Trevor Blackburn, has been appointed
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Trevor will be based in the Commission's Central Scotland Conservancy office in Hamilton.
The three-year programme is funded by Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Executive and the West of Scotland European Programme.
As Trevor explained, "Modern technology is very widely used in neighbouring European countries to create heat from wood for use in houses, community buildings and schools".
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The Scottish Executive wants more joined-up woodlands in Scotland.
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Over twelve thousand hectares (30,000 acres) of new woodlands were planted in Britain last year, helping to bring our forest cover to the highest level it has been in over 300 years.
"On a larger scale wood can also be used to replace fossil fuels, such as coal, in the production of electricity to feed into the national grid".
"The idea now is to match this modern technology to Scotland's increasing output of wood and to generate clean heat and power here at home in Scotland".
""The foresight of foresters and governments who set about re-establishing Scotland's lost forests over the past 80 years means that Scotland is now in an excellent position to use wood as a renewable fuel.
This will not only help combat climate change, but will also provide new jobs and business opportunities throughout Ayrshire, Glasgow and the wider Clyde valley".
""Modern technology has developed sophisticated, automated, wood-burning boilers that are a clean and easy way to provide heat and hot water to buildings".
"This combination of modern technology and a plentiful sustainable wood supply gives us a wonderful opportunity to develop a whole, new, environmentally friendly industry." Modern, wood-fired boilers can be used for both space and water heating, and they can be fed with chips from automated hoppers that only need refilling at very wide intervals.
They are suited to buildings with a constant demand for heat, such as hotels, offices, schools, hospitals, care homes and factories.
In combination with energy efficiency measures, wood fuel can also provide an affordable clean means to heat homes and domestic buildings, especially in areas without access to the gas grid".
"Wood fuel is really beginning to take off with new systems being installed and new supply chains being established all the time".
"My job is to promote the benefits of wood fuel and to help bring together 'clusters' of suppliers and customers, throughout west and central Scotland".
"Given the current extremely high oil prices and our need to address climate change I feel it is the right time to take a serious look at a resource that is clean, useful, affordable, and home grown,' said Trevor".
""If we can get woodland and sawmill owners to commit to supplying wood fuel, this will give potential customers the confidence to install boilers in the knowledge that they will have a reliable fuel supply.
Conversely, if we can get potential customers to commit to installing boilers and buying wood fuel, this helps to give potential suppliers the confidence to invest in the equipment they need to supply it".
""The trick is to achieve these two in the same areas at the same time, and therefore one of my most important roles will be in helping to kick-start that process".
"In doing this I will be able to help suppliers and customers tap into grants that are available for helping to develop the use of this renewable, carbon-neutral fuel".
Trevor has worked in the forestry sector for the last 12 years, first as a contractor, and later as a forester with a forest management company based in Perthshire.
For the past 18 months he has worked for Forestry Commission Scotland as a Woodland Officer.
He has a BSc first class honours degree in forestry and is a qualified arboriculturist.
Trevor's "patch" includes East, North and South Ayrshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.
Anyone in those areas who is interested in installing wood-fuelled boilers or in supplying wood fuel can contact Trevor for information and advice at the Forestry Commission Scotland office in Hamilton, telephone 01698 368530; e-mail: trevor.blackburn@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
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