delivering energy crops

Energy crops such as willow are a real opportunity for farmers and energy users. The problem has always been that the farmers can produce wet loose wood chips on the farm, and the energy users want dry clean high density fuels at their facility – often a long way away.

Pelletising the energy crops is the ideal solution, but has never before been possible, because there are never enough energy crops in any area to build a dedicated pellet plant.

Willow, however, only needs harvesting every three years. This means Biojoule can bring a plant to an area, process the harvest, then move away again until the next harvest cycle. We only need around 200ha of harvesting in an area to justify moving the plant. This can be shared by several farmers within a 5-10 mile radius.

By pelletising energy crops we open up real opportunities for power stations to pursue co-firing profitably and easily in compliance with the Renewable Obligation Order from 2009 onwards.