Bioenergy

In May 2008 Cashmere High School switched from coal to renewable wood energy to heat its site.

The new boilers produce around five times less particulate emissions than a typical school coal boiler. Carbon emissions have reduced by 216 tonnes per year. The wood-fired system is also 14% more efficient.

"There used to be soot and ash in the gutters. Now we just have clean, clean emissions," says Cashmere High support services manager Roger O'Regan.

With its future at stake, New Zealand Foam Latex needed an economically viable and environmentally friendly fuel to produce steam needed to manufacture their products - all made from foam.

Coal was cheap, from $6.10/GJ. But emissions and the costs of mitigating them ruled it out. Diesel and LPG would cost over $30/GJ.

Wood was cost-effective and clean-burning. A variety of sources helped assure reliable supply - forestry hoggings, timberyard residues, left-over pallets and demolition, even dunnage reclaimed from shipping.

In May 2008 Cashmere High School switched from coal to renewable wood energy to heat its site.

The new boilers produce around five times less particulate emissions than a typical school coal boiler. Carbon emissions have reduced by 216 tonnes per year. The wood-fired system is also 14% more efficient.

"There used to be soot and ash in the gutters. Now we just have clean, clean emissions," says Cashmere High support services manager Roger O'Regan.

Waste was one of the first considerations for Southern Pine Products when it started manufacturing MDF (medium density fibreboard) products.

The company opted to install a briquette press, which turns MDF dust into combustible briquettes for boiler fuel.

Moffatts Flower Company, a greenhouse complex only 5 km from Southern Pine, now buys all the briquettes the company produces.

The saving in Southern Pine's waste disposal costs is projected to be $180,000 a year and annual revenue from briquettes is projected to be around $25,000.