Feasibility of developing a small scale wood residue Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant with integr

Name of Applicant:  SWS Group
Grant Award:  €37,220
Category:  Shared Cost R&D
Completion Date:  March 2003

Introduction

Sustainable Energy Ireland has identified the wood-processing sector as a primary potential developer of wood fuels such as wood pellets and a prime client for biomass combined heat and power.

South Western Services conducted a feasibility study for one of Ireland’s largest sawmills which examined the potential to generate heat and electricity and the development of wood pellet production using wood biomass at Graingers Sawmills Ltd.

The sawmill was utilising a 1.7MW boiler fuelled by sawmill by-products to supply its heat load for the kiln drying of timber.  However this was not sufficient to meet peak demands and as the sawmill planned to expand its kiln operations it was timely to investigate the potential for installing a wood fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP).

The feasibility study examined the viability of using the sawmill’s by-products (sawdust, bark, peelings and shavings) to generate electricity and heat.  The assessment addressed the following issues:

• Detailed evaluation of the existing energy requirements.
• Identification of potentially technically feasible options for a CHP plant including steam combustion technology.
• Detailed technical, environmental and economic assessment of the technology options.
• Assessment of the financial, commercial and economic aspects for the proposed options.

The result of the feasibility study indicated that the phased introduction of a CHP plant and wood pelleting plant would be most appropriate solution.  The company decided to adopt the recommendation of a phased introduction of a CHP plant.

Current Status

Following completion of the feasibility study in 2003, Graingers Sawmills entered into a joint venture partnership with South Western Services Co-operative Society Limited (SWS Group) to allow it to proceed in the Autumn of 2003 with the construction of a wood fired biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant.

The project represents the first biomass CHP installation to be built in Ireland.  Using sawmill by-products (with a moisture content as high as 65%), the CHP plant is designed to generate both 1.83 MW electrical energy and 3.5 MW of thermal energy in a single process.  The thermal output is used for drying of construction timber in the sawmill kilns.  The 1.83 MW of green electricity will be sold to the national grid.  The project is currently being commissioned.

For further information contact:

Sinead Hickey
SWS Energy
SWS Group
Shinagh House
Bandon
Co. Cork

Tel:  023 29164 
e-mail:  sinead.hickey@sws.ie