Wood fuel is a renewable, sustainable, and carbon-neutral source of heat, electricity, and biofuel. It is abundant and accessible but requires proper drying and storage to prevent chimney fires or inefficiency. Wood is considered carbon neutral as the CO2 released during burning is absorbed by new tree growth. Sources of wood fuel include conventional forestry, short rotation forestry using fast-growing trees, and openings left by farmers. Wood accounts for 86% of Ireland's total energy requirement and importing fossil fuels costs billions per year. Common forms of wood fuel include firewood, wood pellets, and wood chips.

1. WOOD FUEL David Gilloughley

2. WOOD FUEL Renewable Sustainable Carbon-neutral source of heat, electricity and bio-fuel Abundant Accessable Clean

3. Fossil Fuels Oil & Coal High Prices Serious Damage Global Warming

4. Disadvantages of Wood Fuel Wood must be dry Storage problems Chimney fire-hazard Inefficiency of heating units Methods of wood fuel preparation

5. Carbon Neutral CO2 released when wood is burned is no greater than that of CO2 absorbed by a young growing tree. Mature tree not a net absorber Harvest & Recycle carbon from young/regenerated trees(coppice)

6. Sources Conventional Forestry Large amount of forest land Openings for farmers (SRF) Short Rotation Forestry 3 year cycle Willow tree

7. How Wood Burns Water is removed through evaporation Chemically – wood breaks down into charcoal, gas and volatile liquids with CO2 and water being the main end products Charcoal burns forming CO2 directly or with an intermediate conversion to carbon monoxide

8. Wood Fuel 86% total energy requirement € 5 billion spent on energy per year Large outflow of cash Help reduce our import dependance Improve our trade balance

9. Types of Wood Fuel Firewood (mechanical processors) Wood Pellets – compressed saw dust Wood Chips – wood left to dry for 6 months

10. Some Interesting Facts 1000 litres of home-heating oil = 6 tonnes of dried chips = 2.5 tonnes wood pellets Large detached house (200 sq m) 14 tonnes of wood chips per year or 6 tonnes of wood pellets

11. Wood Heating Options Tradition wood heat stove or fireplace Pellet Stove Wood Furnace

12. Conclusion Long term alternative heat source More common in recent years A lot of work Play a big part in heating homes in the future

13. Any Questions?

14. Thank you for your time