Technical study – Woodfuel supply and demand in Dorset For Dorset Woodlink FINAL REPORT 8th July 2009 Completed by Crops for Energy and the Centre for Sustainable Energy This research project was managed by Tom Munro, Countryside Officer with the Dorset AONB as manager of the Woodlink programme. He can be contacted by email at: [email protected] Crops for Energy Kevin Lindegaard Centre for Sustainable Energy Crops for Energy 3 St Peter's Court 35 Beaconsfield Road Bedminster Parade Knowle Bristol BS3 4AQ Bristol BS4 2JE Tel: 0117 9089057 Tel: 0117 934 1400 (switchboard) Website: www.crops4energy.co.uk Website: www.cse.org.uk Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 2 CONTENTS AWKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 7 ACRONYMS USED .................................................................................................................... 9 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .................................................................................. 10 1.1 Benefits of woodfuel ........................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Woodfuel types ................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.1 Logs .............................................................................................................................. 11 1.2.2 Wood chips .................................................................................................................. 11 1.2.3 Wood pellets ................................................................................................................ 12 1.3 Biomass boilers ................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Policy context ...................................................................................................................... 16 1.4.1 Greenhouse gas reduction targets .............................................................................. 16 1.4.2 Fuel poverty targets ..................................................................................................... 16 1.4.3 Local Government performance indicators ................................................................. 16 1.4.4 The Code for Sustainable Homes ................................................................................. 17 1.4.5 The Carbon Reduction Commitment ........................................................................... 17 1.4.6 Planning policy ............................................................................................................. 17 1.4.7 Renewable energy policy ............................................................................................. 18 1.4.8 Key biomass reports and strategies ............................................................................. 19 1.4.9 Regional biomass programmes.................................................................................... 20 1.4.10 Dorset strategies relating to woodfuel ...................................................................... 21 2. WOODFUEL SUPPLY ........................................................................................................... 23 2.1 Forestry and woodlands ...................................................................................................... 23 2.2 Arboricultural arisings ......................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Heathland arisings ............................................................................................................... 28 2.4 Sawmills and joineries ......................................................................................................... 31 2.5 Energy crops ........................................................................................................................ 32 2.6 Waste woods ....................................................................................................................... 34 2.7 Total woodfuel resource available ...................................................................................... 35 2.8 Woodfuel suppliers ............................................................................................................ 35 2.8.1 Woodchips ................................................................................................................... 36 2.8.2 Wood pellets ................................................................................................................ 36 2.8.3 Logs .............................................................................................................................. 36 3. WOODFUEL DEMAND ........................................................................................................ 39 3.1 Current and planned woodfuel installations ...................................................................... 39 3.2 Current market for woodfuel .............................................................................................. 41 3.3 Future demand .................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.1 Schools ......................................................................................................................... 42 3.3.2 Care homes .................................................................................................................. 45 3.3.3 Hotels ........................................................................................................................... 46 3.3.4 Off gas housing ............................................................................................................ 46 3.3.5 New housing ................................................................................................................ 48 3.3.7 Farm businesses ........................................................................................................... 52 3.3.8 Plant nurseries ............................................................................................................. 53 3.3.9 Dairies .......................................................................................................................... 53 3.3.10 Estates ........................................................................................................................ 54 3 3.3.11 Leisure centres ........................................................................................................... 55 3.3.12 Public offices .............................................................................................................. 55 3.3.13 Other buildings .......................................................................................................... 57 4. MATCHING SUPPLY AND DEMAND ..................................................................................... 59 4.1 Future woodfuel demand scenarios ................................................................................... 59 4.2 Future woodfuel supply post 2026 ..................................................................................... 60 4.2.1 Potential woodfuel production from energy crops in Dorset ..................................... 61 4.2.2 The impact of CHP ....................................................................................................... 63 5. POTENTIAL WOODFUEL PROCESSING SITES ........................................................................ 65 6. RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... 67 APPENDIX I – CASE STUDIES ................................................................................................... 70 APPENDIX II – ARBORICULTURE QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................. 75 APPENDIX III – WOODFUEL CHARACTERISTICS ....................................................................... 76 APPENDIX IV: POTENTIAL WOODFUEL PRODUCTION FROM HEATHLAND ARISINGS ............... 77 APPENDIX V: BIOMASS BOILER INSTALLERS BASED IN THE SOUTH WEST ............................... 79 APPENDIX VI: FURTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ............................................................. 80 4 AWKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the following organisations and individuals who provided valuable information for this study: Dave Prickett Above & Below Tree Service Aerial Tree Services Apex Tree Surgeons Apex Trees Arborcare UK Ltd Peter Ellis Banyards Barthelemy & Co Geoff Hogan Biomass Energy Centre Black Dog Sawmill Paul Barker Bristol City Council Steve Chapple Borough of Poole Jez Martin Borough of Poole Kevin Smith Bournemouth Borough Council Stuart Clarke Bournemouth Borough Council Brian Charman Brian Charman Associates Brian Hennessy Brian Hennessy Ltd Richard Hayward Bulbarrow Timber C.P.S Fencing & Treework Ltd Eddie Cruikshank Charborough Estate Simon Trueick Christchurch Borough Council Robin Harley Christchurch Borough Council Mike Parkinson Continental Landscapers County Tree Services Dave Blake Cranborne Chase & West Wilts Downs AONB John Barnett Debut Services (MOD) Daniel Upton