In 2022, 17 new biomass heat networks were put into operation in Spain, according to data collected by the Spanish Biomass Association (AVEBIOM). These figures represent an increase of 3.7% compared to 2021, although the increase in power has been 10.1%, reaching 462 MW. The average power per network since 2010 is close to 1 MW.

Currently, there are 479 installations of biomass heat networks, after the 46 new networks built in the last year. Of these 479 facilities, only 10 also produce cold.

The number of facilities continues to grow each year, although, according to Javier Díaz, president of AVEBIOM, “this evolution fails to align the rhythm that would really allow the enormous resource potential of biomass in Spain, which could still contribute much more to decarbonizing the economy and increase the energy independence of the country”. For its part, the IDAE – which has an incentive program for hot and cold network projects that use renewable energy sources – considers that biomass is a renewable energy source that has great potential for development and is practically Neutral in terms of CO2 emissions.

Biomass heat networks by CCAA

Chips are the most widely used biofuel, followed by pomace and pellets, but the use of olive pits, vine shoots, pineapple shells or almond shells is also observed, depending on the production of each geographical area. In total, the biomass heat and cold networks consume around 200,000 tons of biofuels per year, according to the aforementioned report.

In 2020 and 2021, the majority of new installations were of small power, surely as a result of the pandemic situation. In contrast, in 2022, fewer networks have been installed than in other years, but with greater unit power.

Catalonia and Castilla y León continue to lead prominently in number of networks and installed power. The first has 218 installations (93.5 MW), 45.5% of all inventoried networks. In the Castilian-Leonese community there are 69 networks and 141.5 MW installed, more than 30% of the total power in Spain.

Each of them are following different models and promotion strategies. While in Catalonia the provincial councils and regional councils promote the construction of networks in small municipalities, sensitized to the management and use of their forest heritage; In Castilla y León, the public company SOMACYL, through agreements with interested municipalities, and the private initiative are behind large-scale projects in the provincial capitals and other towns, such as Soria.

At a great distance are Madrid, Galicia or the Basque Country.

It is noteworthy that only 10 networks offer cold, four of which are in the Balearic Islands.

Heat networks in public buildings

With regard to public buildings, the administrations are the main promoters and users of biomass heat networks. In fact, 75% of biomass heat networks supply energy to buildings for public use. The most common buildings that benefit from this energy correspond to indoor swimming pools, residences for the elderly or educational centers.

68% of these public networks are located in towns with less than 10,000 inhabitants and usually take advantage of local resources, which contributes to a more efficient forest management of the environment and to generating employment.

Heat networks for domestic users

According to the aforementioned AVEBIOM report, 9.6% of the networks provide exclusive service to domestic users, although 19% of the networks are mixed and supply energy to domestic users, in addition to public, industrial or sector users. services.

Chips are the biofuel that predominates in networks for domestic use, although in urban areas pellets are preferably used due to the lack of adequate silos or the difficulties of unloading the fuel.

The role of Soluciones Integrales de Combustión

Soluciones Integrales de Combustión presented its offer of district heating installations with biomass boilers at the recent Expobiomasa 2023 celebration. In this fourteenth edition of the fair, held between May 9 and 11, the company showed its offer of biomass boiler installations, complemented with equipment such as bag filters and multicyclones, which prevent solid particle emissions into the atmosphere, through its aspiration and recovery, and that therefore adapt to compliance with regulations on emissions.

Soluciones Integrales de Combustión is a company that provides global “turnkey” solutions in the field of engineering, supply and maintenance for the energy sector.