Ignite has been setting the standard in woodfuel supply chain training since 2004.  Constantly updated and revised to take account of the latest technical and legislative development, Ignite provides all the information you need to know about woodfuel.

This training event is the original three day accredited course providing trainees with a comprehensive introduction to woodfuel production and supply.  The course includes modules on fuel types, energy characteristics, woodfuel resources, boiler systems, processing technology, financial analysis and economic modelling of supply chains.  Using real world practical examples of woodfuel supply chain development and successful practice, this course has been instrumental in kick-starting the UK woodfuel industry.

All Ignite courses are delivered by Lantra qualified instructors with significant experience in the woodfuel sector, ensuring you get the best possible information.

Whether you are a woodfuel user, specifier, processor or grower, Ignite is the training for you.

“Really excellent.  Exceeded expectations.”  “One of the best courses I have ever attended.”

Cost:  £80+VAT (with funding*), £400+VAT (without funding)

Course fees cover Lantra Awards registration and certification, all course material, refreshments and lunch on each of the three days and post course mentoring (by telephone or e-mail).

For further information or to book a place, please contact Janet Rowlands on 01597 810306 or janet@mwmac.co.uk.

*  Funding may be available through Forestry Commission Wales.  Please check with Janet for eligibility criteria.

Course Outline

Day 1

Session 1 – Setting the Scene

The course begins with an overview of the day’s objectives and an introduction to the tutor and the 3 day programme.  We then cover the background to the growth of renewable energies, and woodfuels in particular, before moving onto comparisons in costs, characteristics and the environmental performance of woodfuels against fossil fuels.

Following this, the drivers for woodfuel are explored, with particular attention to the legislative framework and carbon reduction targets in the UK economy.  Whilst this is a classroom based session, the focus is very much on giving trainees the information needed to argue the case for woodfuels.

The session then progresses logically onto the three main types of woodfuel in use today – logs, chips and pellets – and the basic units and conversion factors for wood into energy.

The session ends by looking at the UK woodfuel market, how it has grown over recent years and how the market is predicted to grow.  It also looks at the types of customers for which woodfuel is a viable option.

 Session 2 – The Woodfuel Resource

Picking up on the conversion factors, these are given practical application in a variety of settings as we examine the UK’s available woodfuel resource in detail. Ranging from arboricultural arisings and woodlands to recycled and reclaimed timber products, we’ll cover all the major sources of woodfuel, looking in turn at quantities, qualities and issues affecting availability and conversion for use as a fuel product.

Throughout this session, and the rest of the course, participants will complete short exercises individually, in pairs and in groups. These exercises focus on specific aspects of woodfuel and help participants gain a better understanding of the subject matter.

Day 2

Session 3 – Woodfuel Systems

Starting with an exploration of what a woodfuel customer may look like and what they want from wood as a fuel source, we aim to give participants a solid grounding in the kinds of woodfuel schemes that they might find themselves supplying. Systems ranging from woodchip and pellet heating systems in the 50kW – 5MW range.

The session looks in detail at fuel delivery logistics, reception and handling at boiler installations, the process of combustion in a modern woodfuel boiler and discusses the relative benefits of different types of systems.  Throughout the day constant reference is made to real-world examples of both good and bad practice to illustrate the range of systems and solutions currently in place in the UK and overseas.

The afternoon of this day is taken up with a visit to a local working woodfuel installations and fuel supply set ups.  Visits in the past have included country house hotels, community district heating schemes, office accommodation, blocks of flats, swimming pools and a University building.  Where time and logistics allow, we will visit more than one scheme or will look at elements of the supply chain to the boiler in question.

Day 3

Session 4 – Woodfuel Technology

This session takes an objective look at the technology currently available to chip, split, grind, shred and pelletise wood and turn it into a valuable woodfuel product. We will look at the main manufacturers, innovations and the range of products on offer.  Following on from the processing, we look at handling, storage and delivery of woodfuel products to customers, drawing on good practice and experience from across the globe. Time is dedicated to understanding the price structures of woodfuel products and how each element of the supply chain can be costed effectively to ensure that you are producing a profitable product. The session ends with an introduction into woodfuel quality standards and quality assurance and introduces the European wide CEN standards for solid biofuels and woodfuel quality assurance schemes.

Integrated Assessment

The course ends with an hour-long written assessment, with opportunities for questions and a short revision session before this starts.  The assessment is straightforward and focuses on the practical application of the knowledge gained in the preceding two and a half days.

General Information

Throughout the course participants are encouraged to contribute their own experience either of woodfuel or of other aspects of forestry or arboriculture to the course.  There is a lively, good humoured atmosphere at courses, where participants can discuss issues of particular relevance or interest to themselves and the group within the framework of the course.  We also offer trainees a comprehensive workbook, a resources CD and unlimited post course mentoring (telephone/e-mail).

Those who complete Ignite successfully will receive a Lantra Customised Award in Woodfuel Production and Supply and will be issued with a certificate of competence.

If you’re not familiar with some of the terminology in this document, don’t worry – by the end of the 3 day Ignite course it’ll be second nature!

For content or technical enquiries please contact Will Richardson on 01765 609355 or e-mail will.richardson@ruraldevelopment.org.uk

Ignite is a programme of training courses on the production and supply of woodfuel developed and run by Rural Development Initiatives Ltd. In addition to the three day course the programme includes: –

• An Introduction to Woodfuel (1 day)
• Woodfuel Quality Standards (1 day)
• Managing Woodlands for Woodfuel Production (1 day)
• Firewood Production and Supply (1 day)
• Ignite Urban (2 days)
• Energy Crops (2 days)

For enquiries regarding attending or hosting an Ignite course please contact Erica Spencer on 01765 609355 or e-mail  erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk