5 Biomass
84. The Scottish Executive is keen to encourage biomass as it offers both environmental and economic benefits. Biomass is a growing sector and offers significant potential for heat generation in Scotland. Background information on biomass and sources of biomass fuel is found in the main text of PAN 45 paras. 125-146. This Annex deals with the installation and siting of biomass systems and infrastructure rather than the effects of the crops which are usually greater and more widespread. Biomass has an advantage over intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, as biomass can be stored and power generated when required. This makes it one of the most viable and reliable micro-renewable technologies. However, unlike other sources of renewable energy, biomass typically requires on-going payments to be made for the fuel.
85. Biomass is most effective when a local fuel source is used, thus reducing transport impacts ensuring that the carbon benefits from using biomass are not lessened by emissions created when transporting it, and also reducing the financial costs associated with transporting the fuel. Using a local source also results in local investment and employment, bio-energy also has the potential to create and sustain jobs in rural areas. At present, the principal market for domestic scale biomass heating is in more rural locations where there is the space to accommodate the boilers and easy access to biomass and where Smokeless Zone Regulations do not apply. Certain wood fuel boiler systems have been approved for use in areas covered by Smokeless Zone Regulations, a list of such technologies is available at www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk . Micro-biomass systems can be used in a wide range of situations to help fulfil energy needs, such as business and industrial areas and in new housing developments both flatted and non-flatted layouts.
Technology
86. There are a range of micro and small-scale biomass heating systems commercially available in the UK across a wide range of sizes, combustion technologies and fuel sources. Small scale biomass heating systems range from single room heaters hand fed with logs, through to industrial units with fully automated fuel handling systems using wood chips for large scale steam or combined heat and power ( CHP) operation. Domestic biomass boilers require more room than standard boilers and are unlikely to fit into small properties. Exhaust gases require a flue vent that rises above the roofline of the building; planning permission may be required for this depending on the height above the roofline.
87. For domestic applications of biomass the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, wood chips or wood logs. There are two main ways of using biomass to heat a domestic property; stand alone stoves and boilers connected to the central heating and hot water systems.
Planning Issues
88. Many micro biomass schemes will not require planning permission as they are internal alterations. However, some micro-biomass schemes involve the construction of outhouses, areas to store the materials and in some instance will require the construction of a new means of access for service vehicles.
89. It is important to have sufficient storage space for the fuel, appropriate access to the boiler for loading and a local fuel supplier. There is considerable variation between the storage needs associated with different boiler systems and fuels such as wood pellets. Sufficient storage is needed to avoid frequent transport deliveries which would reduce the carbon savings generated from using biomass Where proposed, the hopper, which is used for storing wood fuel, can be attached to the outside of the building in a least sensitive, but accessible location, or in an underground lined pit. Details of proposed storage locations should be provided and clear information on how these are to be accessed by service vehicles.
90. Noise can occur due to operations at the plant (e.g. engines, boilers and handling equipment) and due to vehicle movements in and out of the site. Screening using landscaping or natural contouring can help reduce this impact. Further guidance on noise issues can be found in PAN 56 and Circular 10/1999, Planning and Noise.