wood chip biomass
sustainable energy solutions

There is a lot to consider before opting for biomass renewable energy.

So who should you talk to?

AHS Energy’s experience in supplying wood chip fuel means we can give customers an invaluable insite into all the main issues they might need to address.

Typically these may include many of the following..

Partnership and timing

• Involve all parties at the outset of the project.
• Project purpose. What are the goals of the client?
• Project team should include fuel provider
• The installation of the boiler may appear a higher level of importance but wood fuels can cost more than the boiler over the lifecycle of the project particularly if incorrect information is used at the front end.
• Some wood fuels with low moisture contents may need to be stored months in advance therefore commissioning date timescale relevant
• Type of supply contract to be agreed by all parties. Supply of heat or tonnage?
• Length of contract

Type of technology to be used

• Investigate range of technology providers to meet the demands of the scheme and whether capable of using woodchip, pellets or both
• What output is required and size and scale of the installation?
• Moisture content levels required. Each plant differs in fuel requirements
• Is this system a replacement or an addition and will both be able to work together

Material specification required as fuel

• Moisture content
• Specification of wood fuel required
• Does the area allow to source hardwood and or softwood fuels
• Is disposal of ash an issue?
• Sustainable source?
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) gives check on supply chain

Volumes to be delivered each week

• Volumes each week requires optimum storage facility whether silo for pellets or hopper/bunker for woodchip
• What level of buffer stock is available?
• Presuming supply is to generate heat, more deliveries required between October and March

Logistic issues associated with delivery

• Can the vehicle get to the discharge point when required?
• Bridges, tunnels, roads with weight and size restrictions
• Tippers require height considerations, walking floor vehicles do not
• Are there restrictions on deliveries during the day?
• Specific site issues with noise, dust, access
• How big can the delivery vehicle be?
• How is the product to be stored on site?
• On site manning?
• Carbon footprint on deliveries? Not really relevant when considering oil versus woodchip
• Backup supply capabilities

Price for the supply of fuel

• Dictated by all of the above but a very rough guide
• Woodchip between £50 and £90 per tonne
• Pellets between £150 and £250 per tonne
• Look at each delivery point on an individual basis

Frequent issues raised to avoid;

‘We would like 25 tonnes of a G50 W40 chip per week for new development being built.

BUT it needs to be delivered in 8 tonne loads at specific times’

By taking three small deliveries each week rather than one the cost of wood fuels provided to the site were increased by a minimum of £20 per tonne. This increase accounted for an additional cost each year of £26,000 or over a 15 year life of £390,000. How much did the boiler installation cost?

Delivery vehicles

Walking floor vehicle;

The trailer has a moving floor which allows the product to be dropped off the back without tipping reducing height issues. The lorry can deliver loads of 27 tonnes direct to storage bunkers or storage halls.

AHS Energy vehicles use a 14m long walking floor trailer. The trailer is 4.2m high and 2.6m wide. Overall length with tractor unit is 16.5m.

8 wheeler;

This smaller vehicle tips to offload the product. We can deliver approx 14 tonnes of woodchip with this type of vehicle. The vehicle is 10m long, 3.8m high and 2.6m wide