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Our biomass suppliers fuelling a greener future

Blog
Sam Johnson
21 Apr 2023

This is no different for our leading suppliers on our Renewable Biomass and Related Services DPS. Although the DPS provides a clear, compliant route to market for biomass goods and services, our supply base is also continuously exploring new and innovative solutions to fight against climate change.

Net zero brings many challenges within the industry, but what are they?

Under new laws and regulations set by the government to help reduce our carbon emissions, our customer and supply base have been under a considerable amount of pressure to move away from the use of fossil fuels, such as washed coal. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and phasing it out is a key element in achieving the emission reductions needed to limit global warming and protect our natural environment.

Not only does the production of coal generate carbon emissions through large quantities of carbon dioxide, but it also contributes to the damaging of natural habitats through deforestation and mountaintop removal, which in turn disrupts entire ecosystems. As we know, coal is a non-renewable source; however, we have used coal like it is a limitless supply. This is far from the case! It is predicted that if we continue to burn coal at our current rate, we will more than likely run out of known reserves by 2060. Continuing to generate renewable sources and services will not only generate the power we need, but it will also protect the natural environment, contributing to reducing greenhouse gases.

How can the 1080 Renewable Biomass and Related Services DPS support us?

Our DPS provides a compliant route to market for renewable biomass fuels, such as wood chips and wood pellets and related services to accelerate the reduction of individual carbon emissions goals – ultimately fighting against climate change and reaping the countless benefits of biomass fuels.

How are biomass wood pellets and wood chips made?

Wood pellets:

Biomass wood pellets are a by-product of wood processing, which are often found in forms of sawdust, shavings, and offcuts or from freshly cut timber that has specifically been felled to produce wood pellets. To ensure the wood chips are of a high quality, the wood chippings are processed and screened. They're then heated to reduce its moisture content to below 12%, they're then converted into a fine powder. This is then pressed through a grate at high pressure, which will then form the solid, short, and dense biomass pellet.

Wood chips:

Biomass wood chips are sourced from similar processes; these include logging residues, stumps, roots, and other wood waste from tree cuttings. Once sourced, the chippings are then screened for quality control before they are then dried down so that their moisture content is less than 30%.

What are the benefits of using biomass fuels?

The production of renewable sources such as biomass ultimately protects our climate against destruction, deforestation and damaging of ecosystems, contributing to the mass reduction in carbon emissions. Green projects within our supplier bases have innovated solutions by supporting and funding reforestation projects to support the lifecycle of sustainable biomass.

This ensures that when biomass fuels are harvested, new trees are planted – as they grow, trees absorb CO2, which is then stored within the tree’s bark. As the pellets and chips undergo the process of heating and drying out to the required moisture levels, the same amount of CO2 is then released as if the tree was rotting organically.

Not only does this limit the amount of waste contributing to our landfills, but it does not produce carbon dioxide and other damaging indirect greenhouse gases such as sulphur dioxide and mercury that is ultimately contributing towards climate change and a harmful environment.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our Renewable Biomass DPS and how can YPO can help, please [email protected]!

Sam Johnson YPO

Author

Sam Johnson

Energy Officer

YPO

07552 318856

[email protected]

As Energy Officer, Sam supports the progress and execution of YPO's electricity and gas buying strategies and risk management tools against multiple flexible purchasing baskets. Using a defined strategy, Sam aims to optimise prices and reduce exposure to significant risks within the wholesale market. He achieves this by monitoring daily market conditions against seasonal normal demand within YPO's customer portfolio(s) - scoping opportunities into current and forward contract periods.