Concern over small biomass option

Small-scale biomass power plants can have a greater environmental impact than other renewables, a study says.

UK researchers found that although the facilities offered carbon savings, they produced more pollutants per unit of electricity than larger biomass plants.
They suggested the way the feedstock was transported produced proportionally more pollutants than larger sites.

The findings challenged the view that such schemes offer an green alternative to grid-based electricity, they added.

Supporters of community biomass schemes say the power plants are sustainable because the fuel, such as wood chips, can be sourced from the local area.

BBC