Biomass fired systems generate pollutants such as PM10/PM2.5 and NOx that have the potential to affect local air quality and affect human health. It is therefore essential that any new biomass fuelled systems meet certain emission control requirements in order to protect local air quality.

 

The actual levels of emissions in the flue gases depend on the biomass plant design, the fuel characteristics and how the boiler is operated. The impact of emissions on the environment, in particular local receptors, is related to the dispersion of emissions, influenced by the height of the boiler exhaust stack.

For Councils declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for breaching Air Quality standards of PM and NOx then controlling emissions from biomass plant that introduce a new source of emissions is essential.

If the biomass system is proposed within an AQMA, then the LA should be approached directly for guidance as to whether or not the proposed biomass fuelled system can be used. Some boroughs have made it mandatory for an air quality assessment to be included within planning applications.

 

When considering biomass fuelled systems, one should also investigate whether the proposed system is within a smoke controlled area.

In accordance with this the Clean Air Act; no heating appliance, regardless of fuel, may emit smoke in areas designated as smoke control areas without undergoing strict testing and certification to a British Standard protocol.

 

It is therefore a requirement that fuels burnt or obtained for use in smoke control areas have been “authorised” in Regulations and that appliances used to burn solid fuel in those areas (other than “authorised” fuels) have been exempted by an Order made and signed by the Secretary of State or Minister in the devolved administrations.

 

The fuel source and combustion system should be selected from an authorised list provided within the following links:

Emissions information from the supplier of the plant under consideration should be sought early on in this process as it may help to avoid delays later on (in the implementation process) if there are likely to be air quality requirements at the proposed site.

 

Summary of environmental permissions for biomass heating equipment are as follows:

 

PartA activities: Regulate emission to air, water and land

PartB activities: Related only to emissions to air