Peatfired

Peatfired refers to the use of peat, a moist and partially decayed organic material formed in waterlogged conditions, as a fuel for heating or electricity generation. Peat is harvested from peatlands such as bogs and fens, dried to reduce moisture, and burned in boilers or stoked in furnaces. Peat has been used for centuries in parts of Europe, especially in Ireland, the Baltic states, Finland, and Poland, where it served as an available domestic fuel and, in some regions, as a feedstock for power plants. In power generation, peat can be burned alone or co-fired with coal or biomass to produce steam for turbines.

Environmental impact: Peatlands store large amounts of carbon. Draining, extracting, and burning peat releases carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to climate change. Habitat loss and biodiversity impacts are also associated with peat extraction. Because peat has high moisture content, it is less energy-dense and less efficient than many other fossil fuels, making it relatively CO2-intensive per unit of heat.

Technology and economics: Peat-fired plants use grate or suspension firing and require drying of the fuel. In some regions, peat is supplanted by more modern bioenergy sources or fossil fuels, partly due to emissions policies and price volatility. Some areas allow peat use under renewable energy schemes, while others restrict or phase it out.

Status: Policy trends generally favor reducing peat use due to climate concerns, though it remains in use in certain jurisdictions with peat resources or historical dependence.