Biomass heating
Biomass is a generic term referring to organic materials that can be used as fuels (sometimes called bio-feedstock). Biomass differs from fossil fuels because of the timescale required for its regeneration and replacement. Whilst both take carbon out of the environment during their creation, before releasing it when used as a fuel, fossil fuels deplete much much faster than they can be replaced (by thousand of years in the natural cycle) so are not sustainable whereas biomass can be replaced in cycles of between 10 and 50 years depending on the fuel used, and so may be considered 'carbon neutral'.
Solid bioenergy options include woodchips and pellets. Using these types of biomass fuel as a heating source is well established across Europe and the UK. The use of biomass as an energy source is traditionally through combustion within a biomass boiler, providing hot water. This technology can be a central boiler supplying heat via district heating or individual biomass stoves or boilers in each property.
Biomass fuel can also be used to generate power through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology. Smallscalebiomass CHP systems are in development, but they are still considered to be an emerging technology. The specific requirements of a biomass CHP system are similar to a biomass boiler, with the notable difference being additional spacerequirements, particularly height.
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.