Wood Pellet Fuel and Pellet Home Heating

For many people, the principle of heating via the use of pellets is still a very new concept. Many people are unaware of the advantages of wood pellet fuels compared to log fires for example, and the possibility to turn other biomass materials into fuel pellets. At PelHeat we have been researching and experimenting with pellets since 2006. And we are strong believers that pellets will play a key role in changing the current trend of predominantly using fossil fuels to heat homes and businesses.

Where Did Wood Pellet Fuel Start?

In terms of the exact location and time, it is unclear. However around the 1970's several feed processors started to experiment processing wood into pellets as a fuel source. Again much like today, the catalysis for the idea came the rapid increase in the cost of energy from the price of oil and gas. However today we have another driving factor of trying to reduce green house gases to slow climate change. Pellets have been produced from hay and grasses for animal feed since the start of the 20th century. In the 70's when wood pellet fuels were first created, some people thought a wood pellet fuel industry would grow rapidly from then onwards. However the price of oil and gas dropped, and the appeal of pellets dropped as they do require more maintenance than a simple gas or oil burner. At the turn of the 21st century however, Sweden was well on its way to a dominant market share of pellet fuel heating. Due to the large amount timber processing in Sweden, there were large amounts of sawdust residue available cheaply as it was seen as waste, and cost to remove. Central Europe now has a rapidly growing pellet market than it set to continue.

Small or Large Scale Pellet Production?

This is a question many people today still disagree over, and particularly with pellet production. At PelHeat we in general support the idea of a large number of smaller scale pellet production plants and a few large scale pellet plants. The advantage with a small pellet plant positioned in the right location, means the overall energy used and cost to the consumer can be reduced. For example if a local area has sufficient resources to produce pellet fuel, and the local area has a demand for pellet fuel. It is far more efficient to produce the pellets locally, and then distribute locally. With a large pellet plant the raw material travel long distances and the pellet fuel travels long distances. This results in a low overall energy efficiency due to unnecessary transportation. The other advantage with pellet fuels is that local pellet production and consumption can be very beneficial to the local economy and local community in general.

Other Biomass Resources For Pellets

Since the start of the pellet fuels market, the emphasis has always been on wood, and only specific types of wood to produce the lowest ash content pellet possible. However there is simple not enough of these resources to meet future market demands. Therefore other forms of wood and biomass must be used to create pellet fuels. It also makes it easier for a local community to grow its own energy resources or using other local waste resources from food crop production.

PelHeat Wood Pellet Production Guide

At PelHeat we have many years of experience in pellet production, and we provide a pellet production consultation service. The PelHeat guide download will show you how to make wood and other fuel pellets.

 The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Wood Pellet