Biomass power generation

[dabber]

Hi anyone have experience of generating power from biomass? I own a redundant former woodworking plant that has wood burning boilers in situ. Don't know much about them other than they produce 2,000 kg of steam per hour.

I do understand that as it is second-hand kit I won't get feed in tariff, but wondering what power could be generated and if there's a market for the boilers.I've got the make and serial numbers of the kit, but getting no response from the manufacturer. (Danstoker).

Cheers

[Sunnyone]

Used biomass boilers can be eligible for RHI (heating version of the feed in tariff). However the boiler would need to have the relevant certification.

If the boiler is not RHI eligible I would think it's value is low as most people in the market for a boiler would want one that allowed then to claim the RHI.

[Bolebroke]

You're getting confused with biomass for hot water where you get the Renewable Heat Initiative and the Feed In Tariff for energy production. To install a biomass boiler and get RHI you need to get OFGEM accreditation having commissioned a qualified installer (or do it yourself if you can get sign off). Typically you need to be producing hot water for heating and use for multiple dwellings (each paying rates) - unless you are running certain hot house / poultry units. Contracts are (were?) 20 year and break even on our 199KwH plant is about 7 years. Capex is c 100k subject to tunnelling / groundworks. Wood chip is £100 per tonne blown delivery. Expect to use 8tonnes per 6 weeks on average. Cost is 2.6ppu and subsidy/ RHI 8.6ppu. It is an agricultural / non-exact business. Pellets are a lot easier - you know how much heat you will get per unit of cost - you don't with wood chip !

[terryb]

If you can get a Biomass plant commissioned by April 2017 then you can qualify for ROCs - Renewable Obligation Certificates - do some research on this, you'll have to get a shifty on though.