CHP and Biomass
hanham hall will have a communal CHP (Combined Heat and Power) system, powered by a biomass boiler, which will generate hot water and supply electricity for all homes. The hot water will be stored in a cylinder that can be used for washing as well as the air-based heating system. This system is a key feature for delivering the zero carbon component of Code Level 6.
Heat for the homes and hot water will be provided by burning woodchips. Trees soak up carbon during their lives and store it, making them an essential tool for controlling the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. When woodchips are burned, this carbon is released into the atmosphere, more trees are planted to replace them , which will in turn, soak up the carbon again. This means that woodchip, or biomass is a zero carbon fuel, i.e. burning it does not add more carbon to the atmosphere so long as more trees are planted to replace those burned. This is unlike oil or gas which when burned, releases carbon into the atmosphere that cannot be extracted and increases the dangers of global warming.
