Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Peat -  Production Methods

Peat is either extracted as sods (traditionally hand-cut, nowadays predominantly harvested mechanically) or as fine granules (using a mechanical miller to disturb and granulate the top layer of the peat bog surface).

Peat in situ contains around 90% water; some of this is removed by drainage and most of the remainder by drying in the wind/sun. The resulting 'air-dried' peat has a moisture content of 40-50%.

The bulk of peat production is obtained by milling and used in electricity/heat generation. A proportion of the milled peat is converted into briquettes, which provide a convenient household fuel.