ReGenEarth's Eccleshall Biomass Plant is a cornerstone of the company’s renewable energy initiatives, showcasing the power of sustainable energy production and circular economy practices.
Opened in February 2007, this facility is not only the first biomass plant owned by ReGenEarth, but it also plays a crucial role in transforming waste into valuable energy and products.
The plant supplies power to local homes and businesses while producing eco-friendly biomass briquettes that contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
tonnes of sawdust a year as the feedstock for briquettes
logs a year
The project: Biomass briquette production
At the heart of the Eccleshall plant’s operations is the production of biomass briquettes. The facility processes 17,000 tons of sawdust annually, sourced from FSC-approved wood. This sawdust is the key feedstock for the production of high-quality briquettes.
The production process begins with drying the sawdust using heat generated by the plant's pyrolysis biomass unit, which is powered by the energy produced from burning ARB chip and compost oversize.
Once dried, the sawdust is fed into a press that uses both high pressure and temperature to form the briquettes. In this process, the heat causes the lignin in the wood to melt, binding the particles together without the need for any artificial additives or binders.
This results in a completely renewable product that burns hotter and cleaner than traditional fossil fuels, providing a sustainable alternative for heating and energy production.
Energy production & efficiency
In addition to briquette production, the Eccleshall plant generates approximately 2 megawatts of electricity per hour, contributing to the local grid.
By converting biomass into both energy and valuable products, ReGenEarth’s Eccleshall facility exemplifies the potential of biomass to contribute to energy security while maintaining sustainability.
Environmental impact & benefits
The biomass briquettes produced at Eccleshall offer numerous environmental advantages over fossil fuels. They produce high heat with minimal emissions, making them a cleaner option for heating and energy generation.
The byproduct of the burning process, the ash, is also a valuable resource, serving as a nutrient-rich fertiliser for gardens and farms. This adds another layer of circularity to the process, ensuring that no waste is left behind.
The production of briquettes also supports sustainable forest management, as the sawdust used is sourced from FSC-certified wood, ensuring that the raw materials are responsibly harvested.
The use of renewable biomass in place of fossil fuels helps reduce carbon footprints, contributing to ReGenEarth’s mission to lower global greenhouse gas emissions and promote a more sustainable energy future.
The future of biomass briquettes
The plant is not only a model of sustainable energy production but also a glimpse into the future of biomass energy. As demand for renewable energy sources continues to rise, the role of biomass briquettes will be increasingly important in providing reliable, low-carbon alternatives to traditional fuels.
The combination of power generation and product innovation at Eccleshall is an example of how waste can be transformed into valuable, sustainable resources.
This aligns with the company’s commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and promoting circular economy practices, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
