BBSM has completed the installation of a 1MW biomass boiler linked to an ElectraTherm ORC combined heat and power (CHP) electrical generator at a large timber frame building manufacturer in Shropshire.
The biomass boiler and ORC system operate entirely on the wood residues produced from the timber frame manufacturing process, meaning no additional wood fuel or fossil fuels are required on site and a dramatic reduction in power required from the electricity grid.
The ORC unit is now providing power to run the all the machines at the manufacturing plant during the day, with minimal import from the grid, an exporting power to the grid during the evening and night time.
Surplus heat from the system provides space heating for workshops, drying sheds, offices, and an adjacent pub. Due to the complexity and intricacy of the heat distribution, BBSM were required to design, manufacture and commission a bespoke controls system that analyses and optimises the heat distribution to all the buildings, maintains the workshops above dew point to protect the production equipment, whilst balancing the load to ensure the ORC always receive the maximum power available across a 24 hour period.
The ORC unit runs 24/7 and currently gives c. 40kWe net electrical power, which will rise to 45kWe net as ambient temperatures drop.
