Biomass heating plants in Slovakia

Project organised by the Slovak NGO CEPA
Friends of the Earth Slovakia & CEE Bankwatch Network

The project of Slovak NGO CEPA originally was proposed in 2003. It is oriented on substitution of coal fired heating boilers by biomass ones in 9 small villages in countryside of Central Slovakian region - Polana. Due to administrative delays is going to be realised in 2009. This project is also supported by FAE Slovakia (INFORSE-Europe member).

The aim of the project

- To replace the current obsolete heating systems in 32 public buildings in 9 (10) rural villages in Central Slovakia with modern woodchips-based systems.
- To encourage other rural regions with similar renewable energy potential to use their local resources.
Expected project costs: appr. 1 million EUR

Map of Slovakia

Map of the region

Wood processing plant

Heating plant

Rural villages with proposed biomass heating plants in Central Slovakia:

•Kordiky, Kraliky, Riecka, Tajov, •Lubietova, Hiadel, •Poniky, Hrochot, Molca, •(Cierny Balog).

Expected impacts

Sustainability: the project will enhance economic self-sufficiency of rural areas through the use of local biomass potential for local energy needs.

Savings: municipal expenses for heating of public buildings will decrease and savings will become available for regional development.

Emissions: the total CO2 emissions will be reduced by approximately 8.5 thousand tons in 10 years.

Modernization: Public buildings will be equipped with efficient heating systems. Most of the current boilers and heat distribution systems require serious reconstruction anyway.

Follow-up: the project will test opportunities for its broader introduction to other regions

Fuel preparation & storage

Expected total annual consumption: 2,160 tons of wood-chips

•

1. Lubietova saw-mill

•Wood-chips: 960 tons

•Sawdust: 400 tons

2. Poniky saw-mill

•Wood scraps: 400 tons

•Sawdust: 400 tons

Expected costs of fuel production

Average price of fuel

•Wood-chips: ~700 SKK/ton (~€18.50/ton)

•Wood-chips + sawdust:~550 SKK/ton (~€14.50/ton)

Investment costs

Biomass potential in the region

Basic figures

Municipality	Boiler output (kW)	Annual need of heat (GJ)	Annual need of fuel (tons)
Hiadel	150 + 80	537 + 303	63 + 35
Hrochot	1000	5987	700
Kordiky	150	1383	161
Kraliky	200	1132	132
Lubietova	300 + 200	1388 + 1003	162 + 117
Molca	150	755	88
Poniky	250 + 300	1134 + 1304	132 + 120
Riecka	110 + 150	582 + 722	68 + 77
Tajov	110	674	79
Total (9 villages)	3150	16907	1934

Hrochot Facilities to be heated: Municipal office, Nursery, Primary school – old and new buildings, Gymnasium, Store, Pub Nursery, Old and new curias, Cultural center, Food store, Health center
• Installed output: 1000 kW
• Length of heat pipes: 770 m