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CHP
Plant
Ireland is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil,
for heating. These fossil fuels took millions of years to form and
are being used at an increasing rate, with the release of millions
of tonnes of greenhouse gases which are associated with global warming.
Wood is a carbon neutral fuel, which comes from local woodlands and
forests, taking just a few years to grow.
The Biomass CHP plant was designed
around our Sawmill’s heat requirements. The plant uses
wood products such as sawdust, bark and woodchips, together
with forest thinnings, to generate heat for timber drying.
As a result all the hot water necessary for kiln drying timber
is now produced on site, while the green energy is sold to
the National Grid. By consuming these products on site rather
than transporting them to often distant markets, energy is
saved and CO2 emissions reduced. The use of local bio-fuels
increases energy independency and minimises environmental
emissions due to the high total efficiency, which may exceed
90%.
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Biomass CHP Plant
The plant produces 2MW Electricity and 4MW Thermal energy. It is designed
to ensure a highly efficient combustion process of our sawmill co-products,
with flue gas emissions below the most stringent limits.
The plant is a joint venture between Graingers and SWS
GROUP who are key players in the renewable energy sector. The
plant was constructed by Wartsila.
In environmental terms this substantial investment has two large benefits.
Firstly, thousands of lorry journeys per year are saved as sawdust
and bark are consumed on site rather than transported to other manufacturers
many miles away. Secondly, because burning wood does not add carbon
dioxide to the atmosphere, (the CO2 released in burning is balanced
by the amount fixed by the tree crop when growing), it can provide
a very significant role in reducing carbon emissions and the “greenhouse
gas” effect.
Click
here to view a 360º snapshot of the most modern Biomass CHP Plant
in Europe
Click
here to visit www.woodenergy.ie |
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