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During the months of February and March, the CTFC is conducting 4 training sessions at the Agricultural Training Schools of Catalonia within the framework of the Promobiomasse project. The workshops are entitled “Introduction to innovative forest extraction systems in Catalonia. Typologies and good practices: overhead cable and synchronised winch”.
The first session took place on 10th February, at the Olius ECA. The aim of the sessions is to disseminate and transfer data and good practices on the use of new forest wood extraction methods as an innovative alternative and with a lower environmental impact, while improving working conditions in order to reduce the accident rate in the forestry sector.
Promobiomasse project
Promobiomasse is a transnational cooperation project that aims to promote the forest biomass energy market in the SUDOE territory (southwestern Europe), with the resulting advantages: reduced fire risk, creation of employment in rural areas, progress in the energy transition and sustainable development opportunities. As well as the above-mentioned project partners, 19 associated enterprises are also involved. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 1.4 million, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is providing 1 million.
Promobiomasse partners include the Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC); the public society of the Navarra Government – Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda, SA (NASUVINSA); the Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (AGENEX); the Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Interior (ENERAREA), of Región Norte Portugal; the Communauté de Communes du Plateau de Lannemezan (CCPL), of the French department Hautes-Pyrénées; and the Association des Communes Forestières des Pyrénées Atlantiques (COFOR64) of the Pyrénées Atlantiques, as well as 19 associated entities. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 1.4 million, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is providing 1 million.
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This week, the Promobiomasse partners – the Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología Forestal de Cataluña (CTFC), the public society of the Navarra Government – Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda, SA (NASUVINSA, the Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (AGENEX), the Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Interior (ENERAREA), of Región Norte Portugal, the Communauté de Communes du Plateau de Lannemezan (CCPL), of the French department Hautes-Pyrénées, and the Association des Communes Forestières des Pyrénées Atlantiques (COFOR64) of the Pyrénées Atlantiques – held a virtual meeting to discuss the progress made within the project framework and to plan new actions, adapted to the current pandemic situation.
Promobiomasse is a transnational cooperation project that aims to promote the forest biomass energy market in the SUDOE territory (southwestern Europe), with the resulting benefits: reduced fire risk, creation of employment in rural areas, progress in the energy transition and sustainable development opportunities. As well as the above-mentioned project partners, 19 associates are also involved. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 1.4 million, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is providing 1 million.
Progress in the pilot schemes
During the virtual meeting, the partners looked at the progress of the pilot schemes that are being implemented in each territory, the Integrated Model for the Sustainable Management of the Forest Biomass Market in a short-circuit, prepared in the project. As far as Nasuvinsa is concerned, this week marks the start of the work on the logistics centre in Aoiz (Navarra), which is to supply the biomass boilers of the social housing buildings of Nasuvinsa and those of any other future installations that may be promoted from the public sector. A viability plan is also being prepared for this provision, which is to count on a public-private management body and will be tendered shortly.
The Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología Forestal de Cataluña (CTFC) has implemented two schemes: on the one hand, it has prepared a study on the promotion of joint forest management for the prevention of fires and the production of biomass and, on the other hand, it has analysed some innovative log extraction techniques that have a lower environmental impact and improve working conditions in the forest. Specifically, an overhead cable system has been tried out and a guide for good practices in the use of cable extraction has been prepared. Online seminars will be organised for the CTFC partners, enterprises and schools of forestry to inform them of the operation and characteristics of this scheme.
The Communauté de Communes du Plateau de Lannemezan (CCPL) of the French department of Hautes-Pyrénées has developed a digital platform for the characterisation of forest masses directed at facilitating the mobilisation of privately-owned forest resources, ensuring the traceability of forest products and helping to coordinate and to achieve joint action with regard to forest management. The tool has already been tried out on 5,000 hectares in Occitania, obtaining some extremely positive results.
The Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (AGENEX) is currently developing courses for the integrated management of biomass, aimed at local actors. The training comprises two theoretical-practical online sessions and field visits to a timber harvesting site, a logistics plant for biomass processing and a heating network of the company Extremadura Verde, responsible for conducting the course. The proposal has received an excellent response, with more than 120 participants.
The Association des Communes Forestières des Pyrénées Atlantiques (COFOR64) of the Pyrénées Atlantiques has already started up a biomass boiler “Users club” that gathers together the actors of the local authorities and companies responsible for the management of the biomass boilers in the Pyrénées Atlantiques zone in order to promote the exchange of experiences and increase the expertise of the actors responsible for the management of the equipment, thereby improving its operation. The group met for the first time in June and is planning its second meeting for the end of this year.
For its part, the Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Interior (ENERAREA), through its Biomass Centre for Energy, is preparing a viability plan for a logistics centre for the collection and processing of residual forest biomass, which is set to be completed by February. The creation of this infrastructure is directed at increasing the efficiency of the biomass collection models, promoting the valorisation of biomass for energy purposes, changing the legal framework for the exploitation of this resource and improving the technical knowledge of the actors involved.
Adapting to the pandemic
During the Committee meeting, the partners also considered the actions to be implemented in the final stage of the project, adapted to the current circumstances caused by Covid-19. These actions include the definitive validation of the Integrated Model for the Sustainable Management of the Forest Biomass Market in a short-circuit, including the assessment of the pilot schemes, the dissemination of the project through the website and social media, the preparation of micro-videos to present each pilot scheme, and the holding of an online workshop with the participation of the project’s group of experts to report on the said model.
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A training session organised by the Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (Agenex) is to be held in November within the framework of the Promobiomasse project. The title of the course is “Integrated Management of the biomass value chain by key actors” and it is set to be given by the company Extremadura Verde S.L. The course sessions will focus on different biomass-related aspects, primarily on virgin wood biomass. The purpose of the training is twofold. On the one hand, the aim is to increase the knowledge of those attending the course through talks from experts in the sector, who will convey their know-how and experiences. On the other hand, the idea is to promote relations between those who have signed up for the course and to even identify upcoming market niches.
3/11/2020 Theory session
The course will include a theory session and a practical one. The theory session will be held online on 3rd November, due to the Covid-19 situation. A private room video conference will be conducted on a platform adapted for this purpose, which will be accessible to all those who have registered for the course. The speakers will be José Luis Prieto Recio, manager of Extremadura Verde S.L.; Iván Muñoz Martín, forestry engineer and specialist in renewables and the installation of heat networks; Alberto León Granado, a forestry engineer from the technical office of Extremadura Verde S.L.; and Eloy Longobardo Ojalvo an agricultural engineer, responsible for the biomass logistics plant and the purchase-sale of wood at Extremadura Verde S.L.
The session will look at the different biomass extraction processes, introducing the organising and acting entities, the legislation affecting the sector, types of biomass, relations between the different attendees, etc. Furthermore, explanatory videos will be screened with images to illustrate the explanations.
Practical session
10/11/2020 Departure of coach from Valverde del Fresno.
17/11/2020 Departure of coach from Camino Morisco.
24/11/2020 Departure of coach from Herrera del Duque.
*It will only be necessary to attend one of the three sessions.
The practical session will be held on different dates in order to make travelling easier and to divide participants into smaller groups so as to avoid crowding.
1st stop. TIMBER USE Mount “Baldío de Torreseca” in Jarandilla de la Vera (Cáceres), to see the actors taking part in this wood extraction process (processor, self-loader, feller, etc.)
2nd stop. BIOMASS LOGISTICS PLANT EXTREMADURA VERDE S.L. Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres), where the complete chipping process will be seen (drying, chipping, silos, screening, etc.).
3rd stop. BIOMASS BOILER (ASTILLA). C.F.M.R. Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres). Information will be provided on the heat network managed by the company Extremadura Verde, where visitors will get an overview of the storage silos, burning process, waste conveyor systems, etc.
1/12/2020 Theory-practical session
Finally, an online theory-practical session will be given to clarify any doubts arising during previous sessions and to study any installations or utilizations that may be put forward by participants.
Registration
Registration is FREE and can be made by completing the questionnaire appearing on the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J0mT23HycPR-2n8Tz_IPnoSRm0ZhlEQCN2NHGkt8bW4/edit
Further information is available on the social networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cursos-de-Capacitaci%C3%B3n-T%C3%A9cnica-Promo-Biomasse-103921591381514
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cursosbiomasa_agenex/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cursosbiomasa
Probiomasse Project
The project partners include the Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC); the public society of the Navarra Government – Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda, SA (NASUVINSA); the Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (AGENEX); the Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Interior (ENERAREA), of Región Norte Portugal; the Communauté de Communes du Plateau de Lannemezan (CCPL), of the French department Hautes-Pyrénées; and the Association des Communes Forestières des Pyrénées Atlantiques (COFOR64) of the Pyrénées Atlantiques, as well as 19 associated entities. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 1.4 million, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is providing 1 million.
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The Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC), Promobiomasse project partner, is the successful tenderer of the tender launched by the Association of Municipalities of Catalonia (Asociación Catalana de Municipios-ACM) to contract the service to analyse the quality of agroforestry biofuels.
The contract was signed today between ACM and the CTFC, by which the Centre is to provide local entities with the service to analyse the quality of the agroforestry biofuels. In order to guarantee the efficient use of biomass boilers, any entities wishing to do so may contract either a one-off analysis or a scheduled service, which includes the analysis of four biofuel samples, two for on-site analysis and two at the CTFC laboratory.
The CTFC agroforestry biofuel laboratory performs the services to analyse and characterise solid biofuels (chips, pellets, firewood, briquettes, etc.) in order to determine their suitability for different energy recovery processes. The CTFC is certified to ISO 9001 and performs the analysis in accordance with the latest ISO and EN international standards for the solid biofuel sector.
The laboratory meets the user demand for the characterisation of solid biofuels, and also facilitates compliance with the regulations in force. Royal Decree 818/2018 of 6 July, on measures for the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, establishes that any solid biofuels sold for use in non-industrial boilers must have their specifications and quality class identified, as established in standard UNE-EN ISO 17225. Furthermore, the manufacturers or suppliers of the different types of solid biofuels must make a quality statement and label the product.
Image: CTFC
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The Promobiomasse project partners – the Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC), the public entity of the Navarra Government – Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda, SA (NASUVINSA), the Agencia Extremeña de la Energía (AGENEX), the Agência Regional de Energia e Ambiente do Interior (ENERAREA) of Región Norte Portugal, the Communauté de Communes du Plateau de Lannemezan (CCPL), of the French department Hautes-Pyrénées, and the Association des Communes Forestières des Pyrénées Atlantiques (COFOR64) of the Pyrénées Atlantiques – held a meeting on 21st January at the head office of the Tourism Board of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The aim was to assess the first two years of the project execution and to schedule the implementation of the pilot actions to put into effect, in each territory, the Integrated Model for the Sustainable Management of the Biomass Market in a Short Circuit in the SUDOE Area, a model developed during the project.
Promobiomasse is a transnational cooperation project that aims to promote the forest biomass energy market in the SUDOE territory (southwestern Europe), with the resulting advantages: reduced fire risk, creation of employment in rural areas, progress in the energy transition and sustainable development opportunities. As well as the above-mentioned project partners, 19 associated enterprises are also involved. The total budget for the project amounts to EUR 1.4 million, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is providing 1 million.
Project analysis and pilot actions
During the meeting held at Oloron-Sainte-Marie, the results of the interim assessment report were presented to the partners by the GAP consultancy, the external project evaluator. This report was based on surveys to partners and experts involved in the project’s Transnational Technical Committee. The report positively values the inventory of Good Practices in the sector and the biomass market management model developed in the project, which it describes as “comprehensive, relevant and applicable to all the territories”. The report also underscores the need to get the sector actors more involved and to promote the dissemination of the project, given the significant examples collected as Good Practices and Successful Case Studies throughout the SUDOE area. These are available on the website, translated into the 4 languages of the project: https://promobiomasse.eu/.
During the committee meeting, the partners also presented the pilot projects to test the model, to be implemented in each territory in 2020. ThePyrénéesAtlantiques territory has already started up a biomass boiler “Users club” that gathers together the agents of the local authorities and companies responsible for the management of the biomass boilers in the Pyrénées Atlantiques zone in order to promote the exchange of experiences and increase the expertise of the agents responsible for the management of the equipment, thereby improving its operation. The department of the Hautes Pyrenées is to develop a digital tool for the characterisation of forest masses to facilitate the mobilisation of privately owned forest resources, ensure the traceability of forest products and to help to coordinate and to achieve joint action with regard to forest management. Nasuvinsa is planning the construction and commissioning of a forest biomass collection centre in Aoiz (Navarra) to supply the biomass boilers of the social housing buildings of Nasuvinsa and those of any future installations that may be promoted from the public sector, in order to meet the demands of the low-carbon economy and to reduce fossil fuel consumption in Navarra. Agenex, in Extremadura, will take action in the districts of La Siberia, Hurdes and Sierra de Gata in order to eliminate the administrative, legal and structural barriers of forest ownership and courses will be organised for technical training in the holistic management of the biomass value chain, directed at local actors (municipal officers, biomass companies, boiler operators and forest owners). For its part, in Cataluña, the Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya will promote sustainable extraction techniques and models for the high-lying mountain areas, through innovative machinery and training in order to improve working conditions.
The next meeting will be held in Segubal (Central Portugal) in October, coinciding with the EnerTech Fair on renewables, where the Portuguese partner, Enerarea, will present its biomass collection and distribution plan for small forest owners.
At the midway point, both the partners and the external experts consulted give the project an extremely high rating, considering that it is achieving its goals, namely to transform the energy model in the SUDOE area.
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Knowing how to correctly manage and use wood boilers can expand their useful life. This activity is often delegated, when the facilities are small, by a player from the local community or from the company, who is not necessarily fully skilled in this issue.
However, a boiler operator is the key piece towards the correct operation of the boiler. This person listens to the machines, oversees that the fuel chosen is ideal, registers consumption to avoid any element that causes damages, and guarantees that the heat is distributed evenly throughout the building, optimising user comfort. For all of these reasons, the presence of these individuals is essential, so they can understand how to install them and perform enhanced follow up.
With this aim and in collaboration with the Environmental and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energies (CRER), the Regional Union of Forestry Communities (URCOFOR) in Aquitaine organised a “Boiler Management” training session, on 22nd and 23rd October in Pau. Some 15 boiler operators from the Atlantic Pyrenees and Les Landes attended. The two-day session covered the issue of wood boilers, with two visits to facilities and an extensive programme covering the following:
- The advantages of wood energy and its characteristics
- The different fuels and their usage limits
- The supply contract and receiving deliveries
- Introducing the boiler, its surroundings and the hydraulic circuit
- Maintenance and inspection of the heat production system
- Maintenance and inspection of the hydraulic circuit
- Maintenance and inspection calendar
- Practical tasks: boiler audit
The training can be organised again in august 2020 if any new operators are interested.
Based on this training, a group of wood boiler operators has been created in the Atlantic Pyrenees Region, with the aim of exchanging their problems and solutions, and enabling them to gauge a greater understanding of how these boilers work. The first group meeting will take place in early 2020. The group
organisation is funded by ADEME, the Regional Council of Aquitaine and the Interreg Promobiomasse project within the framework of its pilot action.
This project has been backed with the experience of an already formed group of this type in the Aquitaine region: the Poitou-Charentes Club of biomass boiler users, coordinated by the CRER for some years now, and which has given good results.
