NATUR NÜTZEN.NATUR SCHÜTZEN.

Wood Energy – Contracting Projectsin the Province of Styria, Austria

EUROFORENET Conference,Brussels, 20th November 2007

DI Dietmar Jäger

Socioeconomic Background I

NATUR NÜTZEN. NATUR SCHÜTZEN.

increasing stock of wood

47,2% Wald

52,8%47% forest

Socioeconomic Background II

NATUR NÜTZEN. NATUR SCHÜTZEN.

50%private < 200 ha

22%private> 200 ha

15%state forest (ÖBf-AG)

13% community and

provincial forests

Political Background (energy policy)

NATUR NÜTZEN. NATUR SCHÜTZEN.

should be arised to 25% till 2010 and 45% till 2020

current fraction of renewable energy in Austrias gross energy consumption is 23%

within renewable energy biomass is the most important energy source (42%), followed by water power (31%)

What are Wood Energy Contracting Projects

the heating system remains in possession of the farmers consortium, which accounts for operation, maintenance, and reinvestment

the consortium invests the heating system, and the constructional measures and rents the central heating and energy wood storage room in the consumers building

supply of municipial buildings, family apartment houses, and little housing estates with heat energy based on wood chips from regional small scaled farm forests

a group of farmers (2-10, mostly 3-5) constitutes a consortium (private partnership or cooperative)

Preconditions forWood Energy Contracting Projects

usage of at least 75% wood chips from the farmers group forests, the rest can be completed from regional forests

index-linked contracts are closed for room rent, and heat supply for a period of 15 years

in case of a malfunction of the heating system a member of the consortium should be on location within 3 hours

the quality of the wood chips has to meet a specified standard (Ö-NORM M 7133)

the projects have to be economically efficient

Project Coordination, Planning,and Implementation

planning and implementation (installation of the heating system and constructional measures) by local or regional plumbers and construction companies

operator of the heating system, and supplier of the wood chips is the farmers consortium

project management and support services by

in cooperation with

the consortium does not just provide wood chips, but it acts as a „heat seller“

2 Modalities of Implementation

Heat Supply for a Single Buildung Micro Heat Network

Heat Supply for a Single Building

municipial office, nursery school, elementary school, multi floor apartment house

demand of at least 50 kW

simple constructional integration of central heating and wood storage room in the building

one or two separated communal buildings

Micro Heat Network

ratio „meter pipework / demand kW“ not more than 2:1

convenient locations are community centers or housing development areas

heating and wood storage room in one communal building and combined supply of surrounding buildings

at least 3 separated buildings (mostly 4 to 8)

Financing ofWood Energy Contracting Projects

little loan fraction

1/3 own capital, and services on own account

1/3 investment incentives

1/3 connection fee

Costs for the Heat Consumers

connection rate (to be payed once):

• basic price: € 16.- to 22.- per kW and year

• energy price: Cent 4,8 to 5,6 per kWh

• meter charge: € 9.- to 12.- per month

day-to-day total price: Cent 6.- to 7,3 per kWh (excl. VAT)

common rates comparable to long distance heating

• € 180.- to 360.- per kW (excl. VAT)

Revenues for the Farmers

allocation of wood chips:

• € 18.- to 22.- per m³ (excl. VAT)

• ca. € 10.- per hour

technical servicing:

projects intended or under construction (36)

Styria

operating projects (175)- heat supply for single building (69)- micro heat network (106)

Example 1: Ratschendorf, district Radkersburg

elementary school

heat provided buildings

• municipal office• elementary school• fire brigade station with 5 apartments• business enterprise• 2 apartment houses

heating system data

• power: 212 kW• demand: ca. 260 MWh per year• wood chips consumption: ca 450 srm per year• heating system: underfeed furnace• Operator: Wärmeliefergemeinschaft Nahwärme Ratschendorf GesbR

7000 l buffer storage

Example 2: Übersbach, district Fürstenfeld

municipal office

heat provided buildings

• municipal office with nursery school• fire brigade station• municipal house with 5 apartments• business enterprise with 6 apartments• business enterprise with 4 apartments• single family house• multi family house• piggery

heating system data

• power: 143 kW• demand: ca. 195 MWh per year• wood chips consumption: ca 390 srm per year• heating system: 150 kW underfeed furnace• Operator: Wärmeliefergemeinschaft Übersbach

no noteworthy organisational efforts for heat consumers

in most cases just little building measures necessary (adaptation of existing heating rooms and fuelwood storerooms)

low conduction losses (less than 20%), low costs for pumping electricity

small and straightforward projects with low investment costs and risk

reasonable addenda to long distance heating projects and individual equipments

Advantages ofWood Energy Contracting Projects

Overall Positive Effects ofWood Energy Contracting Projects

high consumer´s benefit convenience comparable to long distance heating

generation of jobs, income and added value in economically underdeveloped rural areas net investments of 11.5 Mio € 160 jobs in farming, craft, and industry

substitution of fossile fuel by renewable wooden biomass 49.600 m³ wood chips p.a. substitutes 3.8 Mio l heating oil

for detailed information see

www.holzenergie.net

Thank You for Your Attention !