Here at Artemis all the woodchip that we generate from our domestic and commercial jobs is sent away to be turned into biomass energy. This ensures all our wood waste material is 100% recycled.
Once or twice a week, we load 26 tons at a time into a Green Haul lorry for transport to Thetford Power Station.
Wood chips are small pieces of that have been cut to sizes between 5mm and 50mm. These result from the chipping of larger pieces of wood which often come from material such as a tree, branches, bark or smaller logs.
Nowadays woodchips are commonly used as biofuel in power plants and heating systems. In these facilities, wood chips are burned in boilers to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator. The generator then produces electricity. The combustion process releases heat energy, which is converted into electricity.
Wood chips used as a biomass fuel source is considered a renewable and environmentally friendly option because it utilizes organic material and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels.
Bioenergy is currently the second largest source of renewable energy in the UK, generating 12.9% of the total UK electricity supply in 2021.
As an example of its use locally to us, the T2 Energy Centre at Heathrow Airport is a biomassfuelled combined heating and power (CHP) station, which opened in December 2012. It provides heat to half of Terminal 2 and Terminal 5, as well as electricity into the local grid.
Aaron Walsh, Commercial Director said:
“Recycling wood waste is essential for environmental conservation. We are committed to a more sustainable and responsible approach to using wood as a valuable natural resource. Biomass is a primary source of renewable energy and is demand is expected to grow significantly. Here at Artemis we are happy to play a small part in this.”