Biomass Guardian puts a wheeled robot called CROVER to work inside warehouses, using thermal cameras and 3D mapping to spot fires, moisture, and pests in piles of wood chips and pellets before they cause damage. Biomass provides 67% of Scotland’s renewable heat and 11% of UK electricity, but storing the stuff is dangerous. Dry biomass can spontaneously combust; moisture rots it and cuts energy output; rodents and insects infest it. Currently, operators inspect these piles by hand or with basic sensors, often missing problems until it is too late. The project tackles that blind spot by giving the robot a real-time 3D thermal map of the bulk surface, so it can navigate autonomously, measure remaining storage capacity, and flag hazards. If the system works, warehouse managers will get accurate volume assessments and early warnings of fires or contamination without sending people into hazardous environments. That could reduce energy losses, cut insurance costs, and make biomass supply chains safer and more predictable—quietly keeping the grid running as the UK pushes toward net-zero targets.
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Biomass contributes 67% of Scotland's renewable heat, with biomass energy consumption in Scotland expected to increase from 12.5 TWh to 13.9 TWh by 2030, and to 16.3 TWh by 2045\. At a UK level, biomass generated 11% of the UK's electricity supply, and 8.6% of the UK's total energy supply in 2022, and accounts for 72% of renewal heat from renewable sources in the UK. The use of bioenergy has been forecast to increase under nearly all pathways to net zero: the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests an increase of 8% per year until 2030 and more than 80 countries have policies in place which support the use of biofuels. Biomass storage is crucial due to the often seasonal nature of biomass availability and the year-round demand for energy. However, the handling of storage of biomass has many hurdles and a number of health and safety issues: * Degradation: Biomass decomposes, losing energy content and potentially causing spoilage, unwanted byproducts (gases, odors), and safety hazards. * Fire Risk: Dry biomass is highly flammable and prone to spontaneous combustion. Fires spread rapidly in storage areas. * Moisture: High moisture accelerates degradation, reduces energy efficiency, and creates handling difficulties. * Bulk Density: Low density requires large storage spaces and increases transportation costs. * Pests: Insects and rodents can damage biomass and pose health risks. * Environment: Runoff and emissions (dust, VOCs) can pollute the surrounding environment. This project aims to develop a solution for managing biomass bulks in sheds and warehouses. Integrating volumetrics and thermal imaging, it generates a 3D map of the bulk with thermal data, enhancing CROVER robot operation and providing accurate visualizations and volume assessments via the CROVER web app. * Efficient Robot Operations: Enables precise robot navigation and path planning on the bulk surface. * Enhanced Data Visualization: Provides a realistic 3D visualization for improved data analysis. * Accurate Inventory Management: Accurately measures bulk volume and remaining storage capacity. * Improved Safety: Identifies potential hazards and enables assessment of incidents within the bulk. * Enhanced Security: Detects unauthorized access and foreign objects. * Quality Control: Surface temperature monitoring helps identify potential quality issues.
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