Wood as a Source of Energy for Rural and Island Communities

ABSTRACT The properties of wood as a fuel for domestic or industrial purposes are examined and a number of advantages identified which have particular relevance to island and rural communities. Wood is shown to be one of the cheapest sources of domestic fuel in Scotland and sufficient low grade wood is available at present to supply about 2 per cent of the rural population of Scotland. This proportion could be increased to 12 per cent within a decade if much of the 100 000 ha of hardwood scrub were converted to productive fast growing crops of Birch, Alder or Sycamore. The currently available technology for converting the energy stored in wood to more convenient forms is reviewed and some capital cost comparisons made of alternative systems.