The new ‘biomass’ district heating boiler on Carwood Estate, which burns wood as a fuel source, was officially launched on Tuesday 28th November 2006.
Only the second such boiler in Sheffield, (the other being at Gleadless), it will provide heating and hot water for around 100 homes and could result in long term cost savings for residents. The wood chip which feeds the boiler will come from general tree maintenance offcuts in the South Yorkshire area which otherwise might have gone to landfill.
Local residents felt that the totally automated new scheme was a great improvement on its predecessor. They would however appreciate the small car park on which the boiler house has been built, being replaced with other parking spaces.
The boiler was opened by Councillor Mary Lea, standing in for the Lord Mayor Councillor Jackie Drayton who was attending the funeral of another council member. Robert Almond, from Sheffield City Council, welcomed the councillor, local residents and 80 participants of a one day national seminar, to a guided tour of the new building.
By Saleema Imam
What is ‘Biomass’?
Biomass involves using wood as a fuel to generate heat. The fuel can be sourced from forest thinning, clean wood waste, and from general tree maintenance offcuts. It is also sourced from specifically grown crops such as willow or elephant grass.
For more information on Biomass and the Carwood boiler, download the Council's leaflet below: