Biomass energy for a mixed urban/rural region

This paper investigates small/medium-scale biomass installations where it is possible to envisage local supply chains for feedstock and services, using north east England as an example. Analysis of the conditions that are likely to accelerate the uptake of biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat and power in north east England has been undertaken in the context of the fuel and technology supply chain and government incentive schemes. The analysis is based on design studies for a diverse set of 15 small and medium properties, comparing the economics and practicalities of biomass-fuelled energy conversion with existing fuel provision and with air and ground source heat pumps. The results demonstrate that reliable fuel supply and perceived technology reliability and operational requirements were significant limiting factors. However, opportunities for the uptake of biomass heating were identified for a significant target market of small/medium-scale users, where flexible biomass fuel sourcing is possible, particularly domestic properties and rural businesses currently dependent on oil or liquified petroleum gas fuel.