PELLETime

PELLETime is a European collaboration between partners in Scotland, Sweden, Iceland and Finland (with Finland being the project lead). The overall aim is to produce a package of tools to enable SMEs to design a sustainable pellet supply chain. That enables local renewable energy resources to be used and to support the energy, self-sufficiency of regions in the northern periphery. The project began in 2007/08, with a budget of €1.765million (€600,000 in Scotland) and will finish in 2010.

The PELLETime project is currently addressing the technological limitations and lack of knowledge that exists due to the small scale production of biomass pellets. Identification and estimation of raw materials, procurement, design of the entire pellet production process, sustainable expansion of the raw material resource, awareness raising, and the dissemination of information to improve market development are all priorities that will be developed until 2010.

The overall aim is to establish SMEs in small scale pellet production, support existing production and enhance energy availability throughout the northern periphery region. That will result in a significant contribution to the efficient use of natural resources and to climate change mitigation and national and pan-european energy policy objectives.

The project has 5 key themes that include:

• Management co-ordination and communication
• Broadening the raw material base
• Material handling and logistics
• Pelletising trials and fuel analysis
• Advisory, consultation and study tours
 

A detailed overview of all the project areas and timelines can be seen here

Outcomes:

• Field trials have taken place in Orkney and Shetland, looking at the potential of grasses, straw and willow for conversion into pellets. Each project was split into areas such as: crop research, visual impact assessments and biodiversity and the environment, read more here
• A range of information events and workshops have taken place and a presentation at the annual PELLETime conference
• Development of local co-operatives
• A resource assessment of a woodland in Caithness
• Representatives from Caithness took pact in a central european study tour
• International symposiums have taken place in Orkney & Shetland, Western Isles and Highland

In the later stages of the project, roadshows are planned in Moray, Wester Ross, Caithness and Sutherland, along with renewable energy worshops.  The project will also feature a conference in Finland, looking at the achievements of all the partners during the lifetime of the project. 

Working in International Partnership

Pelletime is an international project funded through the Northern Periphery Programme.
Full details of the partnership can be found at the PELLETime partnership web site here

Scottish Funding Partners:

Forestry Commission Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Orkney Island Council. Shetland Island Council

Further information is available from Chris Perkins Rural Development Manager, Highland Birchwoods. chris.perkins@highlandbirchwoods.co.uk , +44 (01463) 811611, or visit the PELLETime partnership website here

Find out more on biomass here in the Biomass Basics brochure; you can also watch a video clip on a domestic wood pellet heating system here