The use of wood as a renewable source of energy in Ireland – developments and knowledge gaps in the control of wood fuel quality.

  • Nicholas Mockler Scart, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
  • Tom Kent Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford City.
  • Eleanor Owens Waterford Institute ofTechnology, Cork Road, Waterford City.
Keywords: Wood, energy, research, quality, trade.

Abstract

In Ireland, on the basis of recent consumption and a favourable policy environment, the use of wood for energy is increasing. However, there are issues to address in order to realise policy targets for increasing wood energy consumption. Among these issues is a need for information on the impact of wood properties on the fuel quality of wood. Comprehensive knowledge of wood fuel properties assists in the optimisation of operations concerned with the harvesting, seasoning, processing and conversion of wood into energy. In Ireland, wood fuel property databases of forest biomass fuel sources are absent. This paper documents an overview to the developments that have necessitated a need for such databases, and current research that is being conducted to address knowledge gaps on the wood properties that have an impact on fuel quality.
Published
2013-11-01
How to Cite
Mockler, N., Kent, T. and Owens, E. (2013) “The use of wood as a renewable source of energy in Ireland – developments and knowledge gaps in the control of wood fuel quality.”, Irish Forestry, pp. 75-90. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/10102 (Accessed: 28March2024).
Section
Articles