The first use of biomass pellets for energy dates back to the 1970s when researchers were looking for alternatives to fossil fuels in the wake of the energy crisis. Because of the nation?s prominent timber industry and commitment to environmental conservation, Sweden was the first to introduce the industrial wood pellet making machine. They opened up a plant in November 1982; however, they immediately encountered problems due to the high cost of pellet production. Ultimately, the endeavor failed because the pellets were poor quality (made from bark) with an ash content of up to 17%. The plant was forced to close in 1986.
The industry reached a major turning point during the early 1990s when the Swedish government started to tax mineral fuel and limit carbon dioxide emissions. Suddenly, fossil fuels became unprofitable and the use of wood biomass pellets increased rapidly.
Clean energy initiatives popped up all over Europe, sparking an interest in the biomass pellet industry. To this day, Europe is the leader in biomass pellet consumption in the world.
The biomass pellet industry was established in the U.S. in the 1980s with the introduction of a brand new appliance: the residential wood pellet stove. This kind of wood pellet machine provided American consumers a whole new level of automation and convenience for heating with wood and produced particulate emissions that were well below the EPA?s requirements.
Two biomass pellet plants were operating in America?s Pacific Northwest by 1984. Though most plants were owned by small companies, more and more large facilities were established in response to the growing demand for pellets in Europe. In fact, more than 98% of American wood pellet exports are delivered to Europe.
It is estimated that by the year 2025, the demand for wood pellets in North America will reach about 5 million metric tons.
Individuals in remote rural areas have found it useful to produce their own wood pellets using smaller-scale biomass pellet mills. These practical machines allow consumers a level of self-reliance and economic benefit in regards to energy production. The typical homeowner uses three tons of pellets per heating season.