Wood pellets are compressed wood particles that are used as fuel.They are considered carbon neutral, as the tree sucks up the same amount of carbon as the pellets emit, when burnt. Wood pellets replace coal in power plants and gas or heating oil in residential central heating installations or stoves.
ADVANTAGES OF WOOD PELLETS
Because wood pellets are made from wood, they have the same advantages as wood: local, abundant and renewable.
Pellets are very low in moisture (water) and ash content, so they burn hot and cleanly.
Fuel pellets are limited to 1 percent (premium grade) to 3 percent (standard) ash. Regular firewood might have more ash depending on bark and moisture content. Wood pellets also are small and easy to handle.
They are generally available in 20kg bags, but in some areas they are available in bulk. There is very little dust and no bark.
Pellets have a number of “environment-friendly” attributes. They usually are made from
wood-processing byproducts (sawdust, for example), so they are making a valuable product from a potential waste material.
DISADVANTAGES OF WOOD PELLETS
In comparison to conventional firewood from alien trees, wood pellets are an industrial product. This in turn requires a specialized supply chain including manufacturing facilities and long delivery distances. Additionally, the abundance in South African firewood ensures that wood will remain cheaper when compared to pellets for domestic use.
AVAILABILITY OF PELLETS
Pellets are already commonly used in some areas of the country, and in other areas they are growing in popularity as primary fuel costs increase and concerns about global climate change build. However, the pellet market in South Africa still has to grow significantly for it to join the global market for pellet production.
Jean Bech-Nielsen, Chief Operating Officer of the Biotech Fuels Pellet Plant in Howick, Kwa-Zulu Natal says “There simply isn’t a market in South Africa yet.” Read More about pellet production in South Africa.
FIREWOOD vs. WOOD PELLETS
While wood pellets have some advantages; size, cleanliness and standardized quality, the use of conventional firewood can be much more economical when observing a few factors:
Only buy dry alien wood from a supplier of choice
Buy in bulk
Use a fireplace with an efficiency rating of at least 70%
