Using wood fuel is heating up

19 September 2016

Media Statement

Using wood fuel is heating up

With the continual growth in the use of wood fuel for heating the Bioenergy Association is increasing its support for wood fuelled heat plant operators and maintenance staff, helping plant owners improve the performance of their plant and encourage others to move from coal to wood fuel.

“The amount of wood fuel replacing coal is growing each year and we want to ensure heat plant operating and maintenance staff are well supported,” says the Association’s Executive Officer Brian Cox.

The Bioenergy Association is holding a forum for heat plant owners, operators and maintenance staff in Christchurch on 27 September.

“The forum will allow heat plant owners and operators to share experiences and learn from each other about how to optimise wood fuelled heat plant operation,” says Mr Cox. More information about the forum is available at http://www.bioenergy.org.nz/event/heat-plant-operator-forum

He says the Bioenergy Association is increasing its focus on efficient use of wood energy facilities through its continuing professional development programme and other member events so those contemplating moving from coal to wood fuel are comfortable with its use because wood fuel performs quite differently to coal.

“The Forum will be held in Christchurch because in the last few years the hospital, schools and horticulturalists in the region have been installing a number of wood fuelled heat plant and there is a growing need to support them.”

The Bioenergy Association is also developing more training courses and regularly holds webinars so members can keep up to date with the latest best practice in the fast growing wood fuel sector.

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About the New Zealand Bioenergy Association

Bioenergy has the potential to add revenue of $6 billion per year to the country’s economy.

The Bioenergy Association helps its members to develop and grow their bioenergy businesses, raises awareness of the benefits of bioenergy and provides the latest information about the bioenergy sector, both in New Zealand and internationally.

Its Vision is for 25 percent of New Zealand’s consumer energy supply to be from bioenergy by 2040.

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