With wood fuel being identified by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as being the lowest cost effective way to deliver renewable energy, Ignition09 - which is a free event - will be a unique opportunity for businesses and organisations to find out more about its benefits and savings both financially and environmentally.

Lined up to exhibit and join the panel for the Heated Debate launch event is Chris Miles, director of Econergy and board member of the Renewable Energy Association.  “I’m delighted that there is now a national event focusing wood fuel for heating for commercial and industrial users,” he said.  “The year 2050 may sound like a long way off but radical changes have to be made now if we are, as a nation, to hit the 80% reduction target of carbon emissions by this date – a commitment which is written in law.

“Wood fuel is one way we can cut emissions and with the Renewable Heat Incentives brought in by the November 2008 Energy Act, it has the potential to be a rapidly expanding market.   Yet many businesses aren’t aware of how wood fuel as a heat energy source is not only a 90% reduction on carbon emissions, but has the potential to cut energy bills by half,” added Chris Miles.

With major government programmes, such as Building Schools for Future looking to standardise installing wood fuel boilers, Ignition09 will also provide a united platform for installers, consultants and suppliers to inform organisations of how something like this can be achieved. 

Heated Debate panel member and workshop leader, Paul Barker from Bristol City Council, will be on hand to give invaluable practical advice in this field.  "I’m delighted to offer my experiences of installing biomass boilers in Bristol City Council properties and that through attending the Ignition09 workshop others can learn the potential pitfalls associated with such installations and go on to develop successful biomass heating projects," he said.