IXUS Energy opens biomass training facility

IXUS Energy, a national biomass boiler distribution company, has opened a state-of-the-art training center to help meet demand for quality biomass installers, driven by the introduction of the domestic Renewable Heating Incentive.

The Northumberland-based centrer is the only dedicated biomass training facility in the north of the U.K. equipped with boilers supplied by leading European brands Solarfocus and Effecta. 

IXUS Energy's training program is aimed at individuals involved in selling, specifying or installing the boilers and the two-day course structure includes both theoretical and practical training. 

The first course is an introduction to biomass and covers areas such as boiler types, fuel storage, combustion and site surveys. The second course builds on this and includes system dimensioning, hydraulics and electrics, and flueing. 

Both courses take place at IXUS Energy's trading facilities and are free of charge to existing and prospective IXUS Energy Installation partners. On completion, participants will gain recognised IXUS Energy certification. 

IXUS Energy's biomass specialist Mike Bleakley said, "Tens of thousands of biomass boiler installations are expected over the next few years as a result of the Government's domestic RHI which will be introduced in April 2014. We already have installation partners across the country but we want to build on this—we're aiming for national coverage by the time April comes around—there's huge opportunity. 

"As well as first-class training and impressive facilities our installers will benefit from national marketing and an attractive discount structure. We're eager to develop relationships with all installers from those already experienced in biomass to those who are established in other technologies such as solar or LPG." 

Training will be available on a monthly basis throughout the year and will take place in small groups of no more than 12.