Hout

Wood, a source of energy at hand

For a very long time wood was the main means of heating for humanity. With the arrival of fossil fuels, this energy was neglected for a time, but now it is coming back to the fore.

Wood is used in many fields (construction, stationery, insulation, heating...), it has the advantage that the by-products generated by its exploitation can be valued. Wood pellets, commonly called pellets, are mainly derived from the compaction of operating residues. There are many forms of wood fuel (chips, briquettes, logs, pellets, etc.).

This energy has many advantages:

- it is a renewable energy

- it is environmentally friendly

- it is an alternative to the exploitation of fossil fuels

- there are high efficiency systems for this fuel

- the wood in the form of chips or granules (pellets) allows the automatic feeding of the devices

- it generates local activity

The use of wood as energy falls within the framework of the Walloon Government's desire to achieve 23.5% renewable energy by 2030 (National Energy Climate Plan 2030). In 2018, renewable energy accounted for 12.1% of gross final consumption in Wallonia. Firewood accounted for 17.8% of gross inland renewable energy consumption.