Welcome
Welcome to the BANZ Wood Pellets Interest Group website. This website provides information on what’s happening in the wood pellets sector in New Zealand. More extensive information is available to BANZ members including discussion forums.
BANZ fulfils its mission with regard to growing the wood pellets market by:
- providing leadership - BANZ is the industry body for development of the wood pellet market in New Zealand.
- informing the community - BANZ prepares and disseminates accurate and up-to-date information on all aspects of the wood pellets sector.
- advising governments - BANZ assists governments in policy development with well-considered, realistic proposals.
- contributing to the development of fuel quality standards - BANZ supports the development of appropriate fuel quality standards for wood fuels and will work with governments to promote compliance through all stages of the supply chain.
- providing training and other support to members - BANZ supports its members with training, codes of practice, accreditation, and seminars and conferences.
- encouraging research and development - BANZ supports and contributes to important research and development work by academic institutions, government authorities and kindred associations.
- collaborating and communicating with associated entities - BANZ maintains close contact with related groups such as feed stock suppliers, pellet producers and distributors, equipment manufacturers, and heater and boiler retailers.
- raising awareness - BANZ provides guidance and support to help New Zealand recognise that wood pellets is a main stream heating source for homes and commercial scale applications.
What’s New in Wood Pellets?
Launch of the Wood Pellets Interest Group – BANZ Press Release
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August - September 09 - "Boiler Operator Training Course - Small Scale Wood Pellet Boilers in Schools"
First course is by invitation only. Future courses will cover a variety of boiler sizes and fuel types.
Registration will be accepted on a first-come-basis with a limit of 15 attendees at any course.
Registration form available here
Note your interest in future courses here
Coming Soon
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February 2010 Conference - "Growing the NZ Wood Pellets Heating Market" - programme/registration
- Workshop on Pellet stove/burner and boiler installation - more details coming soon
- Pellet Boiler Operator Training - New Course in 2010 - details coming soon
If you would like further information about these initiatives or to register your interest please contact Connie Crookshanks or call +64 27 472 8038.
CURRENT Wood Pellets ACTIVITIES
Current Activities
- Technical Standards - The BANZ Executive Officer is on the joint New Zealand/ Australian Standards Committee so if you have technical matters relating to standards contact him.
- Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines - Wood pellet standards have been incorporated into Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines that EECA and BANZ have been developing and which are available here.
- Development of a Wood Pellet Fire Installer Training and Accreditation Scheme - This is an industry funder initiative and will be delivered by two of New Zealand's leading Polytechs. More details to come.
- Planning for the 2009 Wood Pellet workshop - Wood Pellets in commercial/ institutional applications - October 2009 (provisional). We are in the process of establishing a venue and speakers. More details to come.
- Development of a list of products that have been tested and comply with a manufacturing standard - This will be progressed now that the Wood Fuel Classification Guidelines are finalised.
- Expansion of the activities of the BANZ Wood Pellets Interest Group.
- Boiler Operator Training Course - Small scale Wood Pellet Boilers in Schools: August-September 2009 - 4 Locations nationwide. The first course is by invitation only. Details here. Future Courses will cover a variety of boiler sizes and fuel types. Note your interest in future courses here
If you would like further information on these items or if there are issues that you would like to suggest as areas of future focus - please contact Connie Crookshanks or call +64 27 472 8038.
Previous Wood Pellets Events
BANZ Conferences
'Fuel Pellets in New Zealand' - held in November 2002
‘Growing the NZ Wood Pellet Market’ – held in Rotorua 23 – 24 November 2006
Training and acreditation and certification
- A Training scheme for Installers
- Certification of Products - technolgies and pellets
Installer Training
In established markets, training programmes exist for installers of residential and commercial biomass systems for the installation of biomass heating systems. Course typically target heating engineers and plumbers who wish to specify, install and maintain biomass domestic heating systems. Courses typically compromise theoretical and practical training. Training will be essential if customers are to be ensured good customer service pre and post purchase of a pellet technology.
There is currently NO training course in New Zealand. BANZ is currently working on the development of a training course/workshop focusing on installation with leaders in the Wood Pellet Market in New Zealand.
Are you interested in training? Register your interest here.
Certification of Products
BANZ will be developing a product certification scheme once the standards are sorted and the directory of wood pellet industry players has been consolidated.
Policy and regulations
key government initiatives
The Strategy notes re bioenergy/biomass/wood:
"New Zealand already makes good use of biomass for direct heating in homes and in some industries such as wood processing. As with other energy sources, using biomass efficiently has economic and environmental benefits. The environmental benefits of biomass include no net greenhouse gas emissions and, with modern clean-burning technology, lower harmful exhaust emissions that can damage health."
"The government supports the uptake of bioenergy through the Forest Industry Development Agenda (FIDA). This programme focuses on increasing the use of wood waste and forest residues within the wood-processing sector. Measures include raising awarenes through a knowledge centre, demonstration projects and feasibility studies."
"Action: The NEECS will also implement initiatives in the medium term to increase the uptake of renewable direct use fuels, including proposing to expand the FIDA programme to include financial support to encourage greater use of bioenergy within the woodprocessing sector."
The Strategy notes re bioenergy/wood:
Sector |
Objectives |
Actions and indicative benefits |
Electricity and heat
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Clean electricity and heat – more Clean electricity and heat – more energy from renewable sources
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2007-08: Further encourage the use of bienergy in the wood processing sector through FIDA, including biomass demonstration plants. (extension of existing programme).
2009-12 focus: Review FIDA programme, which may include a financial support mechanism to help further accelerate the uptake of bioenergy. (proposed)
Beyond 2012 focus: Reivew investigations. (proposed).
- Biomass Heat Targets
other government initiatives
EECA
- New Bioenergy options for New Zealand - an evaluation of wood pellet opportunities.
- Wood Biomass Fact Sheet
- Drivers of Woody Bioenergy in New Zealand, November 2002
Ministry for the Environment
Warm Homes Project
- Warm Homes Technical Report: Detailed Study of Heating Options in New Zealand: Phase 1 Report
- Warm Homes Technical Report: Detailed Study of Heating Options in New Zealand: Phase 2 Report
- Warm Homes Technical Report: Home Heating Methods and Fuels in New Zealand
- MfE Environz, May 2006, Minister visits warmer homes
- MfE Environz, August 2006, More funds to study home heating effects on kids
- MfE Environz, August 2006, More funds to study home heating effects on kids
examples of uk/ireland initiatives include
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Community Energy Programme |
Promotes schemes to provide heat and/or power (including biomass) to a number of buildings from a central source. |
Community Renewables Initiative |
Free advice and training for local people and organisations to devise and implement small scale renewable energy developments. www.countryside.gov.uk/communityrenewables |
Farm Business Development Scheme |
For farmers in Scotland to allow diversification into alternative agricultural production. www.sled.org.uk/ruralsup.htm |
NIE Smart Programme |
Northern Ireland Electricity's SMART Programme (Sustainable Management of Assets and Renewable Technologies) is an innovative programme, which aims to give communities, businesses, housing providers and others an opportunity to make a significant contribution to renewable energy development. Through two work streams, SMART provides financial support to pump-prime the market for small-scale renewables as well as offering incentivising larger scale ‘network supporting’ installations such as biomass CHP. |
Sustainable Energy Ireland |
Tel: +353 (0)1 836 9080; The Greener Homes Scheme is now available and provides assistance to homeowners who intend to purchase a new renewable energy heating system for either new or existing homes. The scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland and aims to increase the use of sustainable energy technologies within Irish home. |
Reconnect |
( Northern Ireland only) - Grants available for householders installing renewable technologies. The fund will provide £8 million over a two-year period towards the installation of 4000 renewable installations, providing assistance towards: Solar Photovoltaics - an NIE Top up grant is now available Solar Thermal
More information and an application form is available from www.reconnect.org.uk or freephone 0800 023 4077. (Formerly the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund(EREF) Household Programme). |
Low Carbon Building Programme |
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme is a UK wide renewable energy grant scheme which is open to residents of Northern Ireland. Launched on 1 April 2006, phase one of the DTI’s low carbon buildings programme will run over three years and replaces the previous DTI Clear Skies and Solar PV grant programmes. Open to householders, public, not for profit and commercial organisations across the UK (except the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), the programme will demonstrate how energy efficiency and micro generation can work hand in hand to create low carbon buildings. Freephone ( UK): 0800 512 012 www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home/ |
Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative |
Provides grants, advice and project support for new community and household renewable schemes in Scotland. http://www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding/scotland/ |
Scottish Biomass Support Scheme: |
http://www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/Docs/SBSS%20PUB01-2%20Factsheet.pdf |
Wood Energy Business Scheme |
Scheme to encourage establishment of small to medium scale heat and CHP wood energy markets in Wales. www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5wresl |
Bioenergy Capital Grant Scheme |
The third round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme was launched on the 29 December. The five year scheme is worth £10-15m in England over the two financial years to 31 March 2008. It will support the installation of biomass-fuelled heat and combined heat and power projects in the industrial, commercial and community sectors. www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/energy/capital-grants.htm |
international news & sources of information
Issues |
Country |
Link |
Details |
Comments/ Particular interest issues |
Market Development; Raw Material and Quality issues; |
Sweden / Denmark / Germany / Austria / |
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Pellets - Clean, convenient, and carbon-neutral - By Christiane Egger, Christine Öhlinger and Gerhard Dell (Article from Renewable Energy World) |
Information on the Swedish, German and Austrian STANDARDS for Wood Pellets.
List of Austrian pellet boiler manufacturers |
Technical information; equipment details; Case Studies |
Scotland |
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Wood Use site with details on standards etc from the Forestry Institute in Scotland |
Comparison of chips vs pellets
Suppling woodfuel (Pelletising)
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Wood Pellets and Wood Procurement |
EU |
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Alterner Programme
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Database of European web-sites on renewable bioresources |
Wood Pellets Research, Market Data, Helpline, |
EU |
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The European Pellet Centre provides pellet information from the Pellets for Europe project. The primary target group is professional pellet market actors across Europe. The main aim for this new European initiative is to support the development of the European pellet market. |
Useful Research including Status and trends of pellets utilisation in Southern Europe - special focus on Italy, Spain and Greece Status and critical factors for a market penetration of agricultural pellets on the European market Description of R&D on pellets in Europe Successful case stories regarding production or utilisation of pellets in European countries Description of case stories on production, logistics and combustion of pellets in different European countries Description of quality standards used in Europe Assessment of a best practice guide for pellet utilisation. |
Pellet Burner Shop – useful for residential issues
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US |
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The ‘ALL BASICS’ Stove Shop in New Hampshire, USA
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Useful basic information on pellets, quality issues, costs and characteristics of pellets and pellet technologies (questions and answers); how pellets stoves work; types of stoves available; operating and siting issues, maintenance issues; useful fact sheets. |
Educational resources |
US |
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US Pellet Fuels Institute
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General support to those in the pellets industry |
Canada |
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Wood Pellets Institute of Canada
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Site is mostly under development; 10 reasons to switch to wood pellets. |
Leading UK biomass fuel company |
Wales , UK |
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Welsh Biofuels Ltd – presents a useful comparison of wood chippings and wood pellets
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Provides information and services including: Feasibility studies Biomass consultancy Resource assessments Plant design and installation Project management Turnkey projects with low capital investment Business planning |
US Pellet Manufacturer |
US |
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New England Wood Pellet LLC |
Interesting slideshow on pellet manufacture. |
Northern Ireland Wood Energy Visitor Centre |
Northern Ireland |
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Centre to showcase wood pellets and burners. |
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Energy Saving Trust |
UK |
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Useful information on pellets generally. |
Lists of certified installers and products [stoves and boilers] (as certified by the UK Clearskies Programme for renewable Energy Grants). |
Biomass Energy Centre |
UK |
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Useful practical and technical information on pellets. |
Includes a list of currently installed woodfuel pellet plants in the UK (many of these sites include case studies of pellet fired heating systems. Websites with suppliers of wood pellets/chips and stoves/boilers.
Useful websites for woodfuel information. Lists of equipment distributors. |
Balcas – pellets production |
Ireland
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Balcas is one of Britain’s and Ireland’s largest wood products suppliers, with a turnover of £65 million. The Group has 700 direct employees; in addition, 300 people are engaged in forest harvesting and haulage. |
Information on ‘brites’ – the Balcas brand of wood pellet. In particular: Retailers of Bagged brites Benefits of Using brites brites Specification Fuel Comparisons Funding Opportunities Pellet Stove & Boiler Installers Storage solutions for brites. |
Green Building Magazine |
UK |
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Article from ‘ Building for a Future’, Autumn Issue 2003 - Wood pellets - a fuel for the 21st century. |
Very useful process diagrams and case studies. |
Article on pellets |
Denmark |
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What can we expect from wood pellets? by Eike Roth email Eike.Roth@energie-fakten.de (March 2006)
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Paper concludes - The properties attributed to wood pellets apply in theory, but in practice there are always constraints that limit their potential. Wood pellets will be part of our future energy system, but will probably play a smaller role than expected by many today. |
Articles on pellets |
US |
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Pellet Fuel Technology Demonstration Project Pellet Furnace Demonstration Project |
Technical Brochure |
Sweden (IEA-OECD) |
http://www.caddet.org |
A Multi-purpose Bioenergy Plant Producing Electricity, Heat and Biopellets, Jan 2000.
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Technical Brochure |
Denmark (IEA-OECD) |
http://www.caddet.org |
District Heating Plant 100% Fuelled by Solar Energy and Biomass, Nov 2004
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CADDET Renewable Energy Newsletter |
Sweden |
http://www.caddet.org |
Pellet power: a multipurpose bioenergy plant, June 2000 |
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