Bulk

Our little shop has taken a giant leap into modern biomass distribution. It sounds pretty dramatic, eh? Actually, it's very simple. Bulk fuel. Although wood pellet technology began in the US it is Europe that has run with the technology. The majority of their systems are whole house systems utilizing bulk feed. Driving down the roads you see pellet tank trucks driving about like you would see oil trucks in New England. The US has the majority of it's fuel packaged in forty pound bags, palletized, and covered with a plastic hood. This has made it easy for people with limited storage to obtain the fuel, and makes it easy to store as it is in (semi) weather proof packaging. Now that the US seems to be realizing the power of pellet as an alternative to oil heat, and embracing the use of it as a whole house heater the obvious next move is bulk. This would benefit in many ways.
First would be the supply chain. Now, instead of scrambling to secure your year's supply in April (along with 50-70% of other users) you could have your fuel delivered to your home throughout the year as you need it. This would help to level the pricing as well. Instead of being dramatically "cheaper" in the spring and "expensive" in the winter it will be affordable year round. The convenience and ease will increase dramatically. No more lugging bags and filling your stove daily. Even my mid-step system allows me to fill my Harman Bulk Bin every week to three, instead of daily even if I did use bags in the past. Oh yes, then there are the bags. How much extra cost will we save when we don't have fifty disposable bags, and a plastic hood, and plastic wrap for the pallet? The environmental benefit aside those bags cost $$$! They also represent additional weight in shipping. All the little pieces add up to the benefits of bulk!

I am excited about the future of pellets! Let's see how far we can go...