metnet the (Marches Environmental Technology Network) provided an event for Farmers and Landowners in Herefordshire on Wednesday 7 December at the Hereford Racecourse: 12 noon – 7.30pm.

This was an ideal opportunity for farmers and landowners to find out more about the range of alternative technologies available to them for energy production, subsequent cost savings and potential for income generation.

Sir Ben Gill CBE opened and chaired the event. Former president of the NFU, Sir Ben is actively involved on the Marches LEP Board, works with a range of FSTE 100 companies,  and in 2005 chaired the Government’s Biomass Task Force producing a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the uptake of biomass as a renewable energy source.

Delivered in association with Heartwoods the event featured presentations covering hydro power, biomass, solar and wind power and anaerobic digestion.   The presentations can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

Hydropower – David Williams, British Hydropower

Planning Considerations – Debby Klein, Herefordshire Council (Presentation available upon request)

Biomass & Renewable Heat Incentive – Nick Maskery, Heartwoods

Anaerobic Digestion – John Davies, E & J Solutions

Community Cooperative Financing Projects – Jon Halle, Sharenergy

Renewable Heat Incentives & Tariff Tax Implications – Whittingham Riddell

Solar & Wind – Caplor Energy Ltd

This half day event, being held in conjunction with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) will provide an opportunity for woodland owners to find out about the new Forestry Commission Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant.  It will provide detail on how the grant can be used to support woodland planning and infrastructure costs and advise woodland owners on the financial viability of the harvesting process.

For further information please click here.

To book a place please contact the Heartwoods office on 01952 435860 or email info@heartwoods.co.uk

The event is aimed at woodland owners based within the West Midlands.

Three guides regarding Biomass heating have now been published called:

Biomass heating: a guide to small log and wood pellet systems http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BEC_TECHNICAL/BEST%20PRACTICE/36491_FOR_BIOMASS_1.PDF

 Biomass heating: a guide to medium scale wood chip and wood pellet systems http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BEC_TECHNICAL/BEST%20PRACTICE/37821_FOR_BIOMASS_2_LR.PDF

 Biomass heating: a guide to feasibility studies http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BEC_TECHNICAL/BEST%20PRACTICE/38215_FOR_BIOMASS_3_LR.PDF

 The guides are technical and aimed at buildings managers, surveyors, developers and others who are in a position to help make decisions about how buildings are heated. The guides do not discuss grants, incentives or policy but instead aim to increase the technical knowledge of the reader and help them evaluate the suitability of their site for biomass heating before bringing in external consultants. We hope that the work will also help the reader evaluate the quality of work provided by consultants during any further feasibility/system design work that is under taken. The work builds on guides produced by the Carbon Trust. The work was funded by DECC and FC Scotland with technical input from Defra and Hetas. Most of the technical information was complied by David Palmer, an independent engineer with lots of experience with woodfuel systems, mainly in Scotland. David also works with the Carbon Trust so the approach adopted by the guides compliments rather then contradicts existing information. Early drafts of the guides were reviewed by industry via the REA.

Our recent conference at the Wyre Forest Discovery Centre was a huge success.  The latest RHI announcements couldn’t have been better timed, making our event one of the first in the country to discuss the new legislation.  With 120 delegates the event proved to be so popular that we are looking to put on a similar event in North Shropshire over the next couple of months. 

Making Woodlands Pay Event - 23rd May

All of the events presentations were captured on camera by Reach 22, a Lantra funded project in the West Midlands.  You can watch the presentations at the following link http://heartwoods.reach22.com

If you would like further information on the RHI or would like to find out how Heartwoods can help you please contact the office on 01952 435860 or email info@heartwoods.co.uk