Woody Biomass

“Woody biomass” is a term used to describe material from any woody or lignocellulosic plant.

In simple terms it is a store of solar energy captured during plant or tree growth using the process of photosynthesis.

Woody biomass can be used as a source of energy not only for domestic situations but also larger-scale commercial and industrial applications.

Scion is working with government and industry to promote the use of woody biomass as an energy source.

For more information, go to the Bioenergy Knowledge Centre – an information portal managed by Scion to support the growth of bioenergy use in New Zealand.

Our key capabilities

  • Resource analysis - Scion holds extensive datasets on New Zealand woody biomass resources, including plantation forests, forest residues and wastes.
  • Multi-use forests – Research programmes focus on multi-use forests, which can produce a range of products including feedstocks for energy and biofuels. Studies include evaluation of close spaced eucalypt plantations, selection of species, hardwood and softwood, with high biomass production and their siting preferences.
  • Woody biomass conversion – Our expertise covers the three main types of technologies to convert woody biomass into energy: combustion, pyrolysis and gasification.

Converting biomass to energy

Resource analysis

Scion has developed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model for biomass recovery that calculates feedstock supply costs and delivery costs of biomass to an energy plant. The model has been used to optimise energy plant scale, siting and long-term feedstock supply security.

Residues-to-fuel

Scion was the lead organisation in the ‘Bioenergy Options for New Zealand’ study. This project was initiated to consider New Zealand’s bioenergy potential and developed a strategy for the future.

Fuel Upgrading and Densification

Scion is developing expertise in pre-treatment of biomass that improves transportation logistics through energy densification, fuel quality for combustion, pyrolysis and gasification.

Fuel-to-energy

Scion has project managed the conversion of school coal boilers to wood pellet burners. Cost-effective technical solutions have enabled a nationwide initiative driven by EECA to provide carbon neutral heating systems for schools. For more information visit the Bioenergy Knowledge Centre.

Systems analysis

Models are being developed to generate materials/energy balances and life cycle assessments across such operations and direct strategies for improved energy and carbon efficiencies in lignocellulosic-to-biofuels processes. More…

Commercial opportunities

Scion, with EECA funding, has recommended a variety of actions the forest and wood processing industries could take to encourage businesses to tap into the energy potential of woody biomass. To read the report, go to the Bioenergy Knowledge Centre.