On behalf of COFORD two software tools have been developed:

- Fuel cost comparison tool (FCC tool)

- Wood fuel cost calculation tool (WFCC tool)

The fuel cost comparison tool

The first tool allows you to compare the cost of the fuel uou are presently using with an alternative fuel. Choose the fuel that you are presently using, then you enter the amount used within a year and enter the price per unit. Then one can choose a future fuel from the list, enter a price per unit and what the eventual cost would be of the new boiler installation. Click"calculate" and the package will calculate the annual savings and the number of years it takes to earn the investment in the new boiler back (simple payback on fuel savings alone).

Wood fuel cost calculator

The second tool calculate the delivered in price of wood chips based on a long list of information which the user has to enter, such as the purchase price of the wood, wood species and basic density, moisture content on purchase, after seasoning and upon deliverey, harvesting, forwarding, chipping and transportation costs, method of delivery sales price of the fuel etc etc. Once all the details have beenentered, press calculate and the package will calculate the delivered in cost of the wood chips, while accounting for the changes in moisture content as specified by the user.

Availability

For the moment one has to acquire a CD with the two installer files from COFORD at a small handling cost of €10.
Please contact Orla.cashen@agriculture.gov.ie. The offer is only valid for persons in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.
For people from outside Ireland who would like to use the software, please contact pdkofman@gmail.com for more information.