What Are Biomass Wood Chips?
Biomass wood chips are small fragments of wood that are derived from trees, branches, sawmill by-products, and other forms of wood waste that are used as a renewable source of energy. Biomass wood chips play a vital role in sustainable energy generation since they can be used as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Wood chips are typically generated through mechanical chipping, which is where logs, offcuts, or forest residues are fed into a chipper to create even pieces of wood that can be used for combustion.
Biomass wood chips are commonly burned in boilers, furnaces, and combined heat and power systems to generate heat, electricity, or a combination of both. Because they originate from organic matter, the carbon dioxide that's released during combustion is regarded as part of the natural carbon cycle. As trees grow, they inhale the carbon in the atmosphere, and when the wood is later burned, that carbon is released back into the air, creating a cycle that is largely carbon neutral - as long as the forests are managed responsibly. This natural balance makes biomass wood chips a strong alternative to fossil fuels for those aiming to cut down their greenhouse gas emissions and move towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.
Types of Biomass Wood Chips
Different types of wood chips are used for different things, depending on their origin, quality, and intended application. Virgin wood chips are produced directly from forestry operations, including whole trees, branches, and trimmings that are unsuitable for timber. They are clean, untreated, and free from contaminants, making them ideal for biomass boilers. Virgin chips are widely used because they provide a consistent energy output, and they are viewed as highly sustainable when they are sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Another category of biomass wood chips is sawmill residue chips, which are derived from offcuts, trimmings, and other by-products of wood processing. Instead of being wasted, these residues are chipped and used as fuel, and their uniformity and relatively low moisture content make them suitable for both medium and large-scale biomass plants.
Recycled wood chips come from waste wood, such as pallets, furniture and construction timber. While they are a cost-effective fuel option, they must be processed carefully so that any nails, paint, or treatments that could produce harmful emissions are properly removed. In the UK, recycled chips are often used in large commercial plants that are equipped with advanced emission control systems, rather than in smaller domestic boilers.
Commercial and Industrial Applications
Biomass wood chips are a vital renewable energy source that's used in many commercial and industrial sectors. Their adaptability and cost efficiency make them ideal for a range of applications, such as heating buildings and supplying energy for large-scale facilities.
One of the most common commercial uses of wood chips is for heating. Businesses, schools, hospitals, and public buildings across the UK use biomass boilers to provide reliable, sustainable heat. These systems are particularly effective for organisations with high energy demands, and wood chips can be used as a steady, long-term fuel supply compared to oil or gas.
In industrial settings, biomass wood chips are often used in combined heat and power systems. These plants generate electricity and simultaneously capture the heat that's produced to maximise the system's energy efficiency. Industries like food processing, paper manufacturing, and textiles can benefit from biomass wood chips, since combined heat and power systems supply both the electricity and heat that's needed for their production processes.
Uses in Domestic Heating
Domestic biomass boilers are the main way that wood chips are used in households. These boilers function much like conventional central heating systems, but instead of burning fossil fuels, they use wood chips as the main energy source. Once the chips are burned, the heat that's produced can warm up your water, which is then circulated through your radiators, underfloor heating systems, or stored in hot water cylinders.
Many modern biomass boilers are fitted with automated feeding systems that deliver wood chips from a storage area directly into the combustion chamber. This reduces the need for manual loading and makes the system more convenient to use. While smaller boilers may need to be refilled occasionally, larger systems can function automatically for weeks at a time.
For the boiler to function efficiently, the wood chips must be stored in a dry, ventilated space to prevent moisture build-up, since wet chips burn less efficiently. Additionally, when they're sourced from sustainable forests, biomass wood chips are considered carbon neutral, making them a greener alternative to fossil fuels.
We supply and deliver high-quality biomass wood chips across the UK, so that homes and businesses have access to reliable and sustainable fuel sources. We focus on providing efficient, consistent, and environmentally responsible wood chip services that are guaranteed to give you dependable heating all year round.
