Miscanthus grower network Terravesta and biomass boiler installer Core Biomass have announced a partnership to strengthen the UK miscanthus to energy value chain.
The UK miscanthus grower network Terravesta and biomass boiler installer Core Biomass, a UK installer of multi-fuel biomass boiler solutions from Danish manufacturers KSM Stoker A/S and Justsen Energiteknik A/S, have announced a partnership to strengthen the miscanthus to energy value chain.
According to Terravesta, the “new relationship” with Core Biomass is to develop new markets for the crop and “ensure the miscanthus supply chain is future-proofed for years to come”. Using Danish combustion technology Core Biomass installs biomass heating solutions for residential as well as commercial, industrial and agricultural applications.
Terravesta is looking to work closely with Core Biomass and others to promote long-term fixed price whole bale miscanthus supply to large heat and power generation plants. These range from agricultural uses like poultry, to horticultural glasshouses and non-agricultural industrial processes, like food and manufacturing.
According to the company, the miscanthus fuel prices are highly competitive even without the Rnewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Miscanthus bales provide 16GJ per tonne or 4444 kWh per tonne of energy when burned and it will ensure that there’s a consistent source of high-quality bales with a moisture of less than 16 percent to supply to Core Biomass’ customers.
According to Terravesta, those that make the switch from straw to miscanthus bales will see a number of benefits over burning conventional wheat or rape straw including:
- Better combustion characteristic due to woody nature
- Lower ash percentage, therefore manual boiler cleaning is reduced
- Greater calorific value
- Higher ash melting or clinkering temperature
