University helps develop new bio-fuel

Staff at Leeds University carried out the trials with power supplier SSE on a new “biocoal” – energy-dense pellets made from wood. They burn like coal but do not produce the same carbon emissions. The pellets are made using technology adapted by a firm called Rotawave Biocoal, part of a group with bases in Aberdeen and the Isle of Wight.

The firm’s Bob Rooney said: “Many UK coal-fired power stations will have to close as they cannot meet emissions targets. They can however choose to meet these targets by co-firing biocoal with coal or converting to 100 per cent biocoal electricity generation.

Co-firing using Rotawave’s biocoal can therefore prevent the closure of coal-fired power stations and offer a better solution for the design and build of new low-carbon power stations.”