BIOMASS HEATING FEASIBILITY BRIEF
Yenra | Updated September 7, 2026
Article: https://yenra.com/wiki/Biomass_boiler/

Purpose: prepare a biomass heating feasibility brief for a designer. Use the same useful heat service when comparing alternatives. This is a screening record, not an equipment sizing, installation or fuel-store entry procedure.

Building/location and assessment date:
Heat services and required delivery temperatures:
Peak demand (kW thermal) and evidence:
Annual useful heat (kWh thermal), seasonal/hourly pattern:
Planned demand-reduction measures:
Proposed biomass share of load, storage and backup heat:

FUEL AND SITE
Exact boiler/model, manual and permitted fuel specification:
Fuel form, particle size, moisture range and quality standard:
Moisture basis (wet/dry) and energy basis (HHV/LHV):
Supplier, seasonal availability, delivered price and alternative source:
Fuel-store usable capacity and delivery vehicle/access:
Designer-confirmed storage, ventilation, fire and access requirements:
Off-spec delivery rejection procedure:
Cleaning, service and ash duties; responsible staff and cover:
Applicable regulatory class and authority confirming requirements:

FUEL COST CALCULATION
Annual useful heat H (kWh):
As-received fuel energy F (kWh/metric tonne):
Seasonal delivered-heat efficiency e (fraction, same HHV/LHV basis):
Delivered fuel price P ($/metric tonne):
Useful heat per tonne = F x e:
Fuel mass = H / (F x e):
Fuel cost = H / (F x e) x P:
Fictional example: H=100,000; F=4,000; e=0.80; P=$240. Result 31.25 tonnes, $7,500 and 7.5 cents/useful kWh. At e=0.70: about 35.71 tonnes, $8,571 and 8.57 cents/kWh. Positive F and e are required.

Add installation, finance, auxiliaries, service labor, ash handling and backup heat to compare total ownership cost. Keep test efficiency separate from seasonal delivered performance.
Fuel origin, land-use, processing, transport and carbon-accounting evidence:
Alternative heating options and same-service costs:
Missing information and next responsible party:

REFERENCE CONTEXT
The linked article explains the comparisons and limits. Check exact project or equipment documents before using a specification.
Whole Building Design Guide’s biomass heating resource
https://legacy.wbdg.org/resources/biomass-heat
USDA Forest Products Laboratory’s wood-energy explanation
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fpmu/biomass_energy/basic_wood_energy_information.pdf
EPA’s major-source boiler rule page
https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/industrial-commercial-and-institutional-boilers-and-process-0
EIA’s biomass and environment explanation
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/biomass-and-the-environment.php