Projects

FAQs

1.	What is biomass?
	Biomass fuel comprises recycled wood, forestry and agricultural residues and energy crops such as coppiced willow and miscanthus. Biomass is considered renewable because it is sourced from plants and trees. Biomass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while it is growing and releases it when it is burned. It can also be grown quickly so biomass harvested for fuel can be replaced quickly.

Why does the UK need to develop biomass power plants?

As part of a move to a low-carbon economy, the UK is committed to increasing the use of renewable energy in electricity, heat and transport. Biomass power plants contribute to a more diverse energy mix and therefore provide greater security of supply and price stability, as well as reducing carbon emissions. In addition to electricity generation, biomass power plants can be capable of supplying renewable heat to local industry, businesses and housing.

3.	Do biomass power plants generate odours?
	Biomass plant emissions are odourless and all biomass fuel is usually stored in enclosed fuel stores.

Are biomass power plants noisy?

The plant and machinery such as conveyors, pumps and fans are generally shielded or situated in sound insulated buildings. The turbines and generators are fully enclosed so overall there is relatively little noise emitted from biomass power plants. Modern cooling systems are also very quiet. In the case of the proposed plant at Barton, the site is surrounded by infrastructure such as the M60 and the United Utilities Waste Water Treatment Works, and coupled with our proposals to fully enclose the scheme, the noise impact would be minimal.

5.	Is there a fire risk from biomass plants?
	Like all industrial complexes and thermal power plants, biomass power plants have strict fire safety procedures to minimise the risk of fire. For example, internal segregated storage of biomass fuel and fuel handling operations are designed to reduce any risks.

6.	Is there any threat to human health from biomass plants?
	Modern energy plants have very low emission into the atmosphere as flue gases are filtered and pollutants captured by technology at the plant in order to conform to stringent European Emissions Regulations. The Environment Agency has to be satisfied that the plant is not a risk to human health and will only issue an operating permit when it is sure that the plant complies with the Regulations.

7.	How many years do renewable energy plants operate for?
	Biomass plants typically have an expected operational lifespan of 25 years.

8.	What happens to the by-products, such as ashes and residues, during the operation of a plant from?
	By-products are taken from site and used in other processes, such as concrete production, or taken to landfill.

Where would the plant be located?

The Barton Renewable Energy Plant would be located on vacant land on the south side of the Manchester Ship Canal immediately west of Barton High Level Bridge. To the west and south, the site is bordered by the United Utilities Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Plant. The site has been selected as it is surrounded by existing industrial and commercial development, links directly to road and water transportation routes, and could generate electricity and heat for nearby industry, businesses and housing.

10.	How close is this to the surrounding housing?
	The closest housing is over 600 metres away and most residents would see very little of the biomass plant as it would be shielded from view by existing buildings and infrastructure.

11.	How would the site be accessed?
	The M60 would be the primary route to the site with access then gained from the end of Trafford Way to the rear of the Powerleague Soccer Dome. This route would be used during construction and also for deliveries, and the removal of by-products, during operation. This route would not pass any residential properties.

12.	Would there be any need for new pylons and overhead power lines?
	No. Electricity generated would be distributed to the nearest National Grid substation by an underground cable. Renewable heat would be distributed through an underground pipe network.

13.	How much electricity would the plant generate?
	The proposed 20 megawatt plant would be able to generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of 34,000 homes, more than one-third of households in Trafford.

14.	How many tonnes of CO2 emissions would be offset by the plant?
	The plant would deliver a saving of over 68,000 tonnes of CO2 every year in comparison to generation from a traditional power plant.

15.	Would any jobs be created through developing the plant?
	Yes. Over 100 construction jobs and at least 15 full-time operational jobs would be created. Additionally, local companies would have the opportunity to bid for supply and maintenance contracts.

16.	How large would the plant be?
	It is anticipated that the boiler house would be about 40 metres high and the single chimney stack would be up to 45 metres high. The site itself occupies approximately 10.5 acres, equivalent to about seven football pitches.

17.	Would wildlife be affected by construction and operation of the plant?
	As part of the planning application, Peel Energy has to demonstrate that wildlife would not be unduly affected by the construction and operation of the plant. The Manchester Ship Canal is also a designated wildlife corridor and Peel Energy intends to plant good quality indigenous trees and shrubs at the site along the canal bank to help wildlife prosper and flourish.

18.	When would construction begin?
	If planning permission is received from Trafford Council it is anticipated that construction would begin in 2012 and last for about two years.

19.	How would the biomass fuel be delivered to the plant?
	Fuel would be sourced from the Northwest and be delivered by about 30 lorry deliveries each day. It may also be possible to deliver the fuel by barge on the Manchester Ship Canal resulting in a reduction in deliveries by road.

20.	Would biomass be the only fuel used at the plant?
	Up to 200,000 tonnes of biomass fuel will be consumed annually making up around 95% of the fuel used. A small amount of solid recovered fuel may also be used as part of the mixture. All fuel would be processed off-site.

21.	Would the operation of the plant impact on the safety of City Airport, Manchester, nearby in Barton?
	The plant has been designed in close liaison with the airfield operators, and industry regulators, to ensure there is no significant impact. It has now been confirmed that the plant would not affect operations.

22.	Would smoke from the plant drift across the motorway?
	We have located the chimney and cooling systems as far as possible from the motorway and are assessing this fully in consultation with the Highways Agency. Should we discover through our assessments that this could be an issue then further technology will be included to mitigate this.