Woodfuel
In 2004 Dunlossit recognized the potential for establishing a wood fuel supply using its own resources to meet the heat demand of the Estate. A wood-chipper and woodchip fired boiler was purchased using grant aid from the EU, ERDF, HIE Argyll and the Islands, Forestry Commission Scotland and SCHRI.
The first building to be converted to wood fuel was the Estate Office and bunkhouse accommodation, linked in a local heating network. Through time it is hoped that the majority of housing the Estate provides for its employees, pensioners and local tenants will be heated in this way thus reducing heating costs and our ‘Carbon Footprint’.
What is wood fuel?
Wood fuel comes in many forms including logs, pellets (made from sawdust), and woodchips. It is widely used throughout mainland Europe for heating and power generation and is a modern, clean and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Providing at least 51% of Europe’s renewable energy it is an economic solution for the heating needs of public buildings, industry and business premises, agricultural buildings and households.
Trees are fed into the woodchipper
Chipped wood then travels up the pipe and goes into tonne tote bags
The end result is then put into storage until needed at the boiler house.
When required the woodchips are emptied into the boiler at Knocklearach providing warmth to those in the Estate Office
Where does the wood fuel come from?
Due to transport costs, there is no economic market for timber supply so Dunlossit’s sustainably managed forests are ideally suited to wood fuel heating systems.
The wood is air conditioned and chipped on site, then delivered into the wood fuel hopper using existing machinery on the estate.
Using this technology, wood fuel therefore provides a cheap, low carbon source of fuel, which will also help safeguard jobs on the Estate
How does wood fuel support the local economy?
Because the chips are produced on Dunlossit Estate the fuel prices are kept at a minimum. This in turn keeps prices down. If there is a rise in usage of wood fuel, more people will be needed to produce it. Wood fuel commerce may open new market opportunities for local forestry and farming industries.
How does wood fuel support the Environment?
Because wood fuel is a renewable energy, it is clean and safe to store and by using sustainable forest management it benefits wildlife
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