Wood Fuel News

The WFIG has released the following press statements:

26 February 2009: BANZ says NZ bioenergy opportunities offer long term benefits in creating jobs, lowering energy costs and directly benefiting local economies. Click here to download

Wood Fuel Suppliers?

There are a number of parties throughout NZ who are sourcing wood fuel from forest residues, wood processing residues, purpose grown biomass, and from municipal wood waste. The directory below allows you to search for suppliers in different regions, or by the type of wood fuel supplied.

If you are a supplier of wood fuel and would like to be listed then contact BANZ.

What is Wood Fuel?

Wood fuel is any source of woody biomass. Up until recently it was often considered as waste or may be referred to as forest residues or wood processing residues. Today it is recognised that it can be a valuable source of energy and reference to it as waste in particular under values the materials available. Recognising that wood fuel is to be treated on the same basis as coal or gas will reinforce that it is a valuable commodity (which we often waste).

BANZ Technical Guides

BANZ has a number of Technical Guidance documents - those of relevance to wood fuel are as follows:

• Technical Guide 01 - Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines
• Technical Guide 04 - Tender Guidelines for Wood Energy Plant

Note, for additional Technical Guidance Documents specific to Wood Pellets see here

Technical Guide 01 - Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines
The sale and purchase of wood fuels has highlighted the need for the seller and the purchaser of wood fuel to be confident with respect to the description and quality of the wood fuel sought or supplied. These guidelines for classification of wood fuel have been prepared to provide a common methodology for classifying, specifying and declaring the quality and properties of the traded wood fuel in New Zealand.

The additional benefits of the classification of wood fuel include:

• increase in use of wood energy
• improving consumer confidence in wood fuel
• educate and provide confidence to Regional Councils in wood fuels
• provide fuel quality assurance to heat plant manufacturers and wood fuel users
• promote wood energy as a sustainable energy source
• ensure environmental damage through inappropriate use is controlled.

The Classification Guidelines have been produced as a voluntary industry standard and have been prepared to meet specific New Zealand requirements. The parameters set out are based on formal international standards but have been simplified so as to meet New Zealand needs.

The Guidelines have been prepared on the basis of having a working document that the wood energy industry can use to develop a trade in wood fuel. The Guidelines are intended to be flexible and allow a framework for defining the different kinds of wood fuels. As experience with the Guidelines is obtained they will be adjusted from time to time to best meet market needs. Once established, it is anticipated that the Classification Guidelines will be used as a base for adoption as a formal Technical Standard.

See also Summary of Wood Fuel Standards - An EU/UK Guide explaining the merits of standards for wood fuel.

Version 5 of the Classification Guidelines is available here. If you are interested in this project contact the BANZ Executive Officer.

The Guidelines currently refer to Testing Standards. It is important that wood fuel users are able to access facilities or laboratories that have been approved to undertake an agreed and standard set of tests to ensure quality. This study reviews existing wood fuel testing standards and makes recommendations as to which testing standards should be adopted within the wood fuel industry to support the Wood Fuel Classifications Guidelines.

The Review of Testing Standards Report can be downloaded here.

Technical Guide 04 - Tender Guidelines for Wood Energy Plant
This Technical Guide has been developed by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) for those seeking to upgrade an existing coal fired boiler or install a new wood fueled boiler and who have limited experience in such works. It presents guidelines for the specification, supply and installation of wood energy plant and specifically targets organisations going out to tender for the supply and installation of appropriate equipment. .

The use of the guidelines should not substitute for the engagement of professional engineering advice.

The Guidelines set out the key elements that must be taken into account prior to the specification, selection and installation of a new wood fuel boiler and associated site works. They have been written such that both engineers likely to tender for wood fuel boiler installations or conversions, and those likely to be seeking such services (as non-experts), for example, school staff or school/hospital boards, can understand what is required. I.e., a concerted effort has been made to ensure that this Guide is accessible to both the client and the service provider.

Tender Guidelines for Wood Energy Plant

Types of Wood Fuel

The different types of wood fuel include:

• Pellets
• Forest residue chip
• Process residue chip
• Process residue shavings and sawdust
• Demolition chip
• MDF dust brickettes
• Domestic firewood
• Purpose grown biomass

New Zealand Forestry Production, Trade Data and Information

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) produces data on Forestry Production and Trade in New Zealand. The data can be assessed here.

A variety of forestry and wood focused publications are available on the MAF site here.

Wood Energy Projects

The EECA Wood Energy Knowledge Centre is a very useful source of information on the use of

woody biomass with tools, case studies and guidelines available on-line.

EECA works with individual businesses to help them better manage their energy use and become more productive and competitive.

Sustainability Victoria's key role is to implement Victorian government policy. They work with business, the community, individuals and the government to achieve meaningful outcomes in greenhouse gas abatement, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the smarter use of resources.

While all Australian States have Departments which provide assistance and guidance to reduce energy consumption and the Federal Government also provides lots of information, the ResourceSmart web site from Sustainability Victoria has some very good resources for businesses.

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