New biomass boiler supports local woodland expansion

Cranfield University has been granted funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for a biomass boiler to reduce carbon emissions on its Cranfield campus.

The University will receive the allocation from HEFCE's 'Revolving Green Fund' which funds a variety of projects in Higher Education in England to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. The funded projects are expected to save around 20,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

The biomass heating system, located in the University's new District Heating Centre will be powered by wood chip sourced locally. It will provide heat for the campus whilst reducing carbon emissions, supporting the establishment of local woodland and provide an additional facility for research, learning and teaching in the area of bioenergy.

Gareth Ellis, Cranfield's Energy and Environment Manager, said: "We are delighted with the award as the wood chip boiler will complement our existing system and substitute for the use of gas. This will save us over 500 tonnes of CO2 a year - a significant contribution towards our target of reducing CO2 emissions by 50%, from our 2005 level, by 2020."

The University is committed to sourcing the biomass locally and will be exploring how the need for wood fuel can help bring local woodlands back into positive management and create new areas of woodland in the Forest of Marston Vale.

James Russell, Forest Director, Forest of Marston Vale, said: "The Cranfield campus lies within 61 square miles which is being transformed to create the Forest of Marston Vale, involving planting millions of trees to increase woodland cover tenfold to 30% by 2031. There's great potential to harness this growing woodland resource to provide locally sourced biomass for the new heating system."

Provided by Cranfield University