Home Wood Heating Fuel SuppliesAdvice Services Wood Fuel Training Case Studies Contact Us

 

 

 

 

 

Beacon Community College, Crowborough

In February 2007 the UK's largest school biomass boiler installation was commissioned at the Beacon Community College, Crowborough. The system is now operational and burns woodchip from the Eridge Estate in 2 x 500kW boilers, generating up to 1MW of power to heat the school.  

The boiler and fuel store were installed by a local engineering firm over the winter and SEWF delivered the first load of chip in heavy snow on January 25th. Working closely with the installation company, SEWF were able to advise on the design of the underground fuel store, the delivery schedule and the chip specification.

Because of the nature of the boilers the woodchip had to be of a high standard. A moisture content of below 30% (W30) and a uniform size with low levels of fines that will pass through the auger without causing blockages (G50) were required. SEWF has worked with the installation company and the Eridge Estate (the primary supplier) to ensure that the correct fuel was delivered. SEWF is continually monitoring the fuel entering the system and has provided a moisture meter to the college so that regular moisture tests can be carried out at the point of delivery.

Between 20-60 cu.m of wood chip are currently being delivered into the fuel store each week depending on the weather. The boilers will require a minimum of 1000 tonnes of woodchip annually. This is set to rise as a swimming pool and further buildings are attached to the heat main. So far the system has performed flawlessly. East Sussex County Council are monitoring progress of their woodfuel pilot project closely. If the project proves successful the council are keen to install woodfuel boilers in other properties. The results so far are positive; hopefully the groundbreaking approach at Crowborough can become a blueprint for other schools in the South East.

 

  

 

Woodchip Specification Sheet Woodchip Spec Sheet

South East Wood Fuels Ltd: tel: 0845 869 3775 fax: 0845 869 3774