Wood Bioenergy Myths

• Smoke - many Albertans wonder about this issue, as they remember the smoke on farms and in small towns in earlier years. It is a very legitimate environmental concern; however, the technology has changed rapidly, especially in Europe, where environmental standards towards smoke and other emissions are high. Most European systems are fully combustible, safe and reliable. Here in Alberta, in the heart of Edmonton there is a wood burning boiler facility that heats over 37,000 square feet with no smoke and no environmental complaints.
• Reliability - a well planned and installed wood system is relatively close to the reliability of natural gas and the convenience of heating oil, though despite the automation of the technology, there are differences to be recognized. A wood boiler system has more mechanical components, where handling might cause problems (e.g. a piece of wood stuck in wood supply chain). By having a solid service partner and a natural gas system as a back up, such emergency should be easy enough to handle. During the ice storms in eastern Canada, many people found out that their back up for natural gas systems was wood burning stoves.
• Fuel delivery - storage is required for wood bioenergy systems and there are several options in regards to fuel storage. For most people in farm settings this is not an issue. In the urban areas, several various bin storages are available.
• Price - in North America, natural gas is priced by the market and market fluctuations. Many rural residents own forest resources and may find that they have a plentiful available source for wood bio-energy fuel. Many small businesses may find that wood bioenergy can be obtained at lower energy prices and become more competitive on the market.