Case study
Alvie Manse, Inverness-Shire
35 kW Wood Chip Heating System
Alvie Manse is a substantial (6 bedroom plus flat), listed, period house for which the cost of oil heating had become prohibitive. As a result of this, and as part of an overall strategy to increase the use of renewable energy on the estate, it was decided to install a woodchip system for space heating and domestic hot water.
The existing oil fired boiler was removed as experience with other schemes on the estate had given them sufficient confidence that no backup system would be required. Since it is a single domestic dwelling, the scheme does not qualify for support under the current RHI, however, it is expected to qualify when it is converted into a guest house in the future.
Fuel supply and chip handling
Woodchip is delivered from the estate’s existing woodchip supply business by standard tipping trailer directly into the feed hopper. This was dug into the ground adjacent to an existing outbuilding which houses the boiler and accumulator tank. The proximity of supply means that no bulk store is required and refilling occurs at approximately 2 monthly intervals. Due to the size of the supply business, timber for chipping is sourced both from the estate and through the open market. It is stored outside for around 12-18 months before chipping to ensure a moisture content of below 30%.
System design and installation
The system was designed for 100% of heat and hot water to be provided by Biomass. A 2,000 litre accumulator tank was installed to assist with peak heating loads and to avoid inefficient short cycling of the boiler.
Benefits
This project has substantially reduced the heating bills for the house as well as contributing to the estate’s policy of energy self-sufficiency.
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St Paul’s Church, Weston-Super-Mare – Containerised 140kW wood pellet heating system
Alvie Manse, Inverness-Shire – 35 kW Wood Chip Heating System