The Carbon Trust has said that a lack of understanding of the technology behind biomass, and its potential benefits is curtailing further uptake.

While businesses and public sector organisations could benefit by switching from oil, gas and electric heating to biomass, the Carbon Trust’s report Biomass Heating, A Practical guide, said that financial pressures and a lack of understanding have meant the technology has not been implemented more widely.

Using wood or straw can provide cost savings of 2-4p/kWh relative to use of heating oil. A biomass system generating 1,600MWh of heat, which is roughly the equivalent to the annual heating requirements of a typical school, could mean fuel savings of up to £50,000 per year.

Mark Williamson, director of innovations at the Carbon Trust, said: “We’re become so reliant on oil, gas and electricity that many businesses just aren’t aware of the cost and carbon benefits of turning to biomass for their heating supply.

“Renewable heating will need to play a key role in meeting the UK’s renewable energy targets and biomass offers the greatest potential to contribute to this. Growing the UK biomass industry can also offer other positive impacts, such as creating new green jobs in the UK and making use of certain waste products that would otherwise go to landfill."

click here to access the Carbon Trust report.

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