Fuel
Introduction This section provides information on fuel prices, calorific values, relative costs accounting for efficiency of conversion and costs and regulations for liquid fuel storage. When comparing different fuels it is essential to include any losses from conversion to heat as different fuels and technologies differ significantly. Fuel Prices The figures provided below are an approximation of the price in summer 2017. These should be used as a guide only and should be supported by actual quotes that take into consideration site specific information. In most cases fuel prices change on a daily basis and the price will depend on many factors including the volume purchased, location, length of contract and supply profile. All prices are all exclusive of climate change levy (CCL), where applicable, and VAT. Electricity The following prices apply to Scottish businesses in each of the two distribution areas: FUEL 332 North South Business - 03 profile* Single rate 13.135 11.688 04 profile* Day/night rate 14.055/8.755 12.907/8.140 Domestic - 01 profile* Single rate 13.387 12.047 02 profile* Day/night rate 11.530/9.012 13.188/8.033 * first 2 digits of MPAN/supply number denotes type/size of supply Standing charges vary widely. For large supplies they are less relevant, however, for small supplies the standing charge will be a much greater proportion of the annual cost. Gas Tariff type (piped gas for farms and businesses) unit daily charge average Credit (domestic) 3.04 25.56 3.67 Debit (domestic) 2.80 16.67 3.21 Pre-pay (domestic) 3.26 23.84 3.73 Business - <5,000 kwh 4.97 24.41 5.56 Business - <30,000 kwh 4.06 20.00 4.29 Business - >245,000 kwh 2.62 n/a 2.62
Propane Propane (bulk, not in a long term contract) Propane (47 kg cylinders) Butane (13 kg cylinders) Diesel oil Price 38.14 p/litre 65.73 per cylinder 28.55 per cylinder p/litre Gas oil (red diesel), 35 sec, tractor 54.99 Kerosene, 28 sec, Aga Cookers, etc 39.54 Derv (white diesel) 195.00 Coal House coal (100 x 10kg bags) 252.00 Biomass Fuels /t Price Firewood - seasoned hardwood logs (delivered) 95/m 3 Firewood - seasoned softwood logs (delivered) 71/m 3 Woodchips (G30, 30% moisture) 105/t Wood pellets (5 t blown, including delivery) 200/t Wood pellets (100 x 10kg bags, including delivery) 250.26/t Straw Large round bales (ex farm) 48 /t Calorific Values of Fuels These values are only approximate and may vary quite considerably: Electricity Gas Propane/Butane Gas oil Kerosene Coal Firewood (20% moisture content) Woodchips (30% moisture content) Wood pellets Straw (20% moisture content) Note: 333 3.60 MJ/kWh 3.60 MJ/kWh 50.00 MJ/kg; 25.50 MJ/litre 42.50 MJ/kg; 35.70 MJ/litre 43.50 MJ/kg; 36.64 MJ/litre 31.40 MJ/kg 14.71 MJ/kg 12.50 MJ/kg 16.85 MJ/kg 13.80 MJ/kg 1 tonne liquefied propane gas = 1,957 litres (approx.) 1 m 3 of loose seasoned hardwood timber = 0.35 tonnes (approx.) 1 m 3 of loose seasoned softwood timber = 0.25 tonnes (approx.) FUEL
Fuel Cost Values The fuel cost values have been corrected for efficiencies: p/mj Efficiency (%) p/mj Electricity 3.45 100 3.45 12.41 Gas 0.78 80 0.97 3.50 Propane (bulk) 1.50 80 1.87 6.73 Propane (47 kg) 2.80 80 3.50 12.61 Butane (15 kg) 4.40 80 5.50 19.80 Gas oil 1.54 70 2.20 7.92 Kerosene 1.08 70 1.54 5.55 Coal (open fire) 0.80 25 3.21 11.56 Firewood (efficient log boiler) 1 1.93 80 2.41 8.69 Firewood (basic log boiler) 2 1.79 60 2.98 10.72 Woodchips 3 0.84 80 1.05 3.78 Wood pellets (blown) 1.19 85 1.40 5.03 Wood pellets (bagged) 1.49 85 1.75 6.29 Straw (cereal) 0.35 60 0.58 2.09 1 2 3 burning softwood 20% moisture content burning hardwood 20% moisture content 30% moisture content Fuel Storage Safe storage for fuel on farms, rural businesses and dwellings should be a high priority. Regulation for the storage of fuel is covered by the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006. These regulations are applicable for farms, although there are exclusions. For example: where oil is stored for use exclusively as a fuel for heating a farmhouse or other residential premises and where that oil storage capacity is less than 2500 litres (in this case Building Regulations (Scotland) 2004 apply to new tanks) and if any storage tank is underground. The regulations apply to both new and existing oil storage tanks storing petrol, diesel, mineral oil, heating oil, lubricating oil, waste oil and vegetable/plant oil above ground (inside or outside a building). One of the main requirements for new and existing above-ground tanks where there is a storage capacity of 200 litres or more, is the provision of a secondary containment system (bund) of sufficient capacity to contain at least 110% of the largest tank or 25% of the total storage capacity. For further detail on the regulations, guidance should be sought from your local SEPA office or see: FUEL 334
https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/water/pollution-control/scottish-oilstorage-regulations/ or refer to NetRegs, more detail on page 388. Fuel storage tanks come in various types, shapes and sizes. When choosing your fuel tank, siting should be taken into consideration. Guide prices for storage tanks are shown below: Plastic tanks Capacity (litres) 1200 1500 2000 2500 5000 Single skin 385 450 525 - - Bunded 995 995 1,200 1,350 1,800 Dispensing (bunded) - - - 1,550 2,675 Underground 1,115 (1250 litres) 1,645 (3000 litres) All tank prices are ex VAT and do not include delivery and, design and installation charges. 335 FUEL