Biomass Energy Northern Ireland

Biomass is the resource that is grown or collected. Biofuel is a fuel manufactured from biomass (chips, pellets, biodiesel etc.) Bioenergy is the use of the fuel to supply energy - be it heat, transport or electricity. At present BENI's activities are focussed on developing a market for woodchip derived from SRC willow. This is currently the most readily available and easily grown source of biomass in Northern Ireland, but it is certainly not the only one. Other sources of biomass comprise forestry and its wastes, sawmill residues and clean waste wood. In the future it may include miscanthus (elephant grass) and fast-growing hardwoods. BENI supports research into all forms of biomass which may be grown in Northern Ireland. The biomass sources in NI which have been identified by AEA: for chips/heat Forest residues Wood residues from sawmills SRC willow Other perennial energy crops Crop residues Poultry litter