This page includes Bio Energy Projects financed with Structural Funds, including solid biomass, biogas, and liquid biofuels.


# AUSTRIA

Heat from the Forest - Güssing (Burgenland)

The project represents a model for the exploitation of alternative energy sources and improves the quality of life in the region. The biomass heating plant constructed in Güssing between 1995-1999, uses forest cuttings from the commercial forests of the Burgenland region.The plant operates with “fluidized bed gasification” technology to generate not only heat for the district but also electricity and synthetic diesel. from biomass in which force-heat coupling is implemented using gas motors.
It needs a lower level of tar, because it uses steam rather than air to convert biomass into gas in the gasification chamber. Some of the gas produced is burned to provide heat for the gasification, and the rest is cooled using the heat for district heating. Then the gas can be burned to power an electrical generator (with the heat going to the district heating), or can be used as a feedstock for the production of a synthetic diesel oil. The plant has an overall 80% efficiency. Electricity and heat then is cheaper for the community living in the region, which is now self-sufficient for these services.

Time period: 1995-1999
Total project cost: 7,900,000 EUR
EU contribution: 1,300,000 EUR

More information under:
- European Commission regional policy websites: Link1 (pg. 13), Link2
- European Center for renewable Energy

# DENMARK /# ESTONIA

BTN - The Bioenergy Technology Transfer Network

The BTN project aimed to create exemplary models of efficient use of bioenergy and the promotion of bioenergy with spatial planning processes, therefore increasing the efficient use of sustainable bioenergy. It worked with applied research and development in the fields of biofuel production, refining and combustion, and it focused on training of operators, including entrepreneurs, new biofuel users, decision makers and advisers.
The main outputs of the project include regional bioenergy strategies and development plans, international bioenergy training programme packages, and a network of regional Bioenergy Development Centres (BDC-Network). It also have resulted in more efficient fuel and heat production methods and technology, an increased market for bioenergy and several centres have been opened in different countries involved in the project.

Time period: aprox.2002-2005
Total project cost: 1,310,000 EUR
EU contribution: 895,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- JAK University of Applied Sciences

# ESTONIA

Yesterday’s Waste is Today’s Energy

In order to comply with the EU legislation, in ten years Estonia has moved from having 350 unmanaged landfills to 5 main landfills carefully managed to reduce its environmental impact. One of them is Pääsküla landfill which was closed in 2003 to carry out this clean-up project with EU funding. The landfill body was capped with a sealant, a landfill monitoring system was installed, and a leachate eater collector and irrigation system, a vinyl pile wall around the landfill and a landfill gas collection system were constructed.
It has resulted in huge improvements for the local population, now the area is odor-free area, the water is of better quality, and some wild animals have returned replacing non-wanted animals.
The biogas produced is used to create heat and power much more efficiently than before.

Period: 2004-2008
EU Contribution: 7,140,000 EUR
More information
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Environment Ministry website

# FINLAND

Development of a Bioenergy Network - Northern Central Finland

The project supports creation of a cooperation network within the bio-energy sector, the coordination of the development projects, company-specific guidance and the organisation of expert services. The Regional Council of Central Finland, the municipalities of northern Central Finland and the Jyväskylä Polytechnic’s Institute of Natural Resources has gathered a group of companies for the regional energy network and recruited a branch manager to coordinate the development activities. During the project three heat cooperatives, one heat company and one briquette plant were established. The increased utilization of domestic energy (wood chip, pellet, peat and briquette) has replaced about 3,700,000 liters of oil saving over EUR 1.4 Million annually.

Time period: aprox.2002-2005
Total project cost: 1,310,000 EUR
EU contribution: 895,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- JAK University of Applied Sciences

Developing a Biogas Network in North Karelia

The project aims to develop an economically-viable model for biogas production and distribution to feed the transport sector, which is now 99% dependant on oil. The biogas will be produced by the North Karelia´s own raw materials sources, such as the side products of farming, waste disposal and landfill gases. The model will include a risk analysis on technological aspects, economic risks and a plan of estimated decreases on CO2 emissions. Two biogas plants and four distributor locations are planned. The project expects to create a network for biogas technology, companies, producers and distributors and ultimately produce 100% renewable traffic biogas from the region´s own raw materials sources.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 387,600 EUR
EU contribution: 271,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Regional Council of North Karelia (in Finnish)

# GERMANY

Wood to Heat a School 

With the expansion of a secondary school 1993-95, the Bavarian municipality of Walsdorf near Bamberg equipped the building with a biomass heating system fueled by wood chips. First a kindergarten, then some neighbouring houses and a residential home for the elderly were connected to the school's heating system. Now a second biomass heating plant is being built to supply an entire new building development with heat from locally-produced agricultural products. For the new project farmers, industries, and the municipality of Walsdorf have together set up a heating company to operate the plant and supply the wood chips. A total of 650 tons are required each year and 170 000 liters of fuel oil are saved each year. Locally-grown small timber can be put to effective use in place of fossil energy. Around 400 tons carbon dioxide reductions. Emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have been cut by approximately 750 kg. The ash is used as fertiliser.
In the Walsdorf secondary school, where the environmentally friendly heating experiment was first unveiled, pupils can use simple, easy-to-read meters to see how much energy their classrooms are consuming. And so, alongside its many other benefits, the biomass heating plant also serves as a visual teaching aid. 

Time frame: 1993-1996
Total project cost: 1.1Million EUR
EU contribution: 0.35 Million EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link 
- Biomass Heating Plant website

# HUNGARY

2007-2013 Period:
Update: May 2010
There are a number of projects supported in the first part of the 2007-2013.
Detailed information about the projects are in the Table (pdf file 121 kB).

2004-2006 Period:

In 2004-2006, Hungarian Ministry approved 4 biomass projects co-financed with SF:

# LUXEMBOURG

Der Wald als alternative Energiequelle (The Forest as Alternative Energy Source)
600 m3 wood chip per year. This is the fuel needed to heat nine one family houses and a 120 m2 large workshop in the Luxemburg municipality Wilverwiltz.The project was supported within EU structural fund, target 5b. A new project in the municipality of Putscheid carries on the idea, combining wood and solar for heating of an eco-housing development with 17 smaller houses and four larger houses.

Total project cost: 246,839 EUR (Enscherange) - 152,554 EUR (Putscheid)
EU contribution: 25% FEOGA fund for both projects.

Sludge Energy in Southern Luxembourg

The wastewater sludge in Bettemburg is now being dried using solar energy, thus not only reducing disposal and transportation costs but also being more economically favourable than the conventional drying process. The resulting dried sludge is neutral in odor, biologically stable and easy to store, it is compressed into bricks and is burnt to produce energy in a CO2 neutral process. The project results in annual CO2 reduction of 1000 tonnes and it has been awarded with the first prize in the category “Communes et villes” in the Eurosolar 2010 competition.

Time period: 2007-2013
Total project cost: 3,500,000 EUR
EU contribution: 875,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Syndicat intercommunal STEP, project organizer together with the Ministry of Economy

# MALTA

Malta Curbs the Cycle of Waste

This project was focused in the upgrade of the waste treatment plant and the recycling and recovery facility in San Antnin to be more environmentally friendly. It includes a digestion plant for biodegradable waste, that produce compost and biogas that is used to provide heat for the process and electrical power for 1400 households

Time period: 2004-2006
EU contribution: 11,700,000 EUR.

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- WasteServ Malta



# POLAND

BTN - The Bioenergy Technology Transfer Network

The BTN project aimed to create exemplary models of efficient use of bioenergy and the promotion of bioenergy with spatial planning processes, therefore increasing the efficient use of sustainable bioenergy. It worked with applied research and development in the fields of biofuel production, refining and combustion, and it focused on training of operators, including entrepreneurs, new biofuel users, decision makers and advisers.
The main outputs of the project include regional bioenergy strategies and development plans, international bioenergy training programme packages, and a network of regional Bioenergy Development Centres (BDC-Network). It also have resulted in more efficient fuel and heat production methods and technology, an increased market for bioenergy and several centres have been opened in different countries involved in the project.

Time period: aprox.2002-2005
Total project cost: 1,310,000 EUR
EU contribution: 895,000 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- JAK University of Applied Sciences

Taking Waste Mountains by Storm

With help from the EU Preaccession aid till 2004 and the EU Cohesion Fund since then the aim of the project was to build a high-tech treatment station -called Dolina Redy i Chylonkito - to treat all kinds of waste (mixtures, recyclables, hazardous, organic and inert). It includes a power plant that generates electricity from the biogas produced that will cover the station´s requirements and the surplus will be distributed through the national grid.

Period: 2000-2006
Total project cost: 25,602,912 EUR
EU Contribution: 15,014,127 EUR

More information:
- European Commission regional policy website: Link
- Ekodolina (in Polish)

# SLOVAKIA

2004-2006 Period:
In 2005, the Slovak Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment approved 20 biomass oriented projects for funding from SF:

1. Project title: Research of the New Technology of Biofuels Production using Ultrasound Energy.
   Beneficiary:  ECOSON s.r.o.,  district of Trencin
   Allocated grant: 3.13 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
2. Project title: Development of Biomass Boilers (75-2000 kW) and related Automatisation Technology and its Certification.
   Beneficiary:  Vihorlat s.r.o. Snina ,  district of Presov
   Allocated grant: 2.67 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
3. Project title: Combined Heat and Power Production from Biomass.
   Beneficiary:  Turcianska drevárska spol,  district of Zilina
   Allocated grant: 17.17 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
4. Project title: Heating Plant using Biomass.
   Beneficiary:  Yvex,  district of Zilina
   Allocated grant: 32.00 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
5. Project title: Power Production from Biomass in Condensing regime.
   Beneficiary:  BUCINA ZVOLEN, a.s.,  district of Banska Bystrica
   Allocated grant: 35.80 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
6. Project title: Utilisation of Biomass for Energy purposes.
   Beneficiary:  Smrecina Holding I., a.s.,  district of Zilina
   Allocated grant: 144.41 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
7. Project title: Power Plant using Biomass in Liptovsky Hradok.
   Beneficiary:  Rettmeier Tatra Timber, s.r.o.,  district of Zilina
   Allocated grant: 104.50 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
8. Project title: Utilisation of Biomass for the production of Heat and Warm Water in Slavosovce.
   Beneficiary:  RADEN s.r.o. ,  district of Kosice
   Allocated grant: 5.90 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
9. Project title: Heating of Company new production facility – Installation of Thermal sources with utilisation of Biomass as the local Energy source.
   Beneficiary:  TURZOVSKÁ DREVÁRSKA FABRIKA s.r.o.,  district of Zilina
   Allocated grant: 19.42 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
   
10. Project title: Energy savings in production areas of company Energobyt Humenne through isolation and installation of Biomass Fired Boiler.
    Beneficiary:  Energobyt spol. s.r.o.,  district of Presov
    Allocated grant: 9.71 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
11. Project title: Utilisation of Waste Wood for the Heat Production.
    Beneficiary:  Holz-Möbel SR, s.r.o.,  district of Trencin
    Allocated grant: 1.74 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
12. Project title: Biomass Fired Heating Plant in Strecno.
    Beneficiary:  City of Strecno
    Allocated grant: 9.37 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
13. Project title: Substitution of Fossil Fuels by the Biomass in District Heating System of city of Hrinova.
    Beneficiary: Hricovske tepelné hospodárstvo, spol. s. r. o
    Allocated grant: 13.09 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
14. Project title: Ecological improvement of Heat source through the Co-firing of Biomass (and coal) at company Zvolenská teplárenská, a. s.
    Beneficiary: Zvolenská teplárenská, a. s.
    Allocated grant: 470.25 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
15. Project title: Reconstruction of Boiler K1 for Co-firing of Biomass (and coal).
    Beneficiary: Kappa Stúrovo, a.s.   
    Allocated grant: 125.46 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
16. Project title: Reconstruction of Heating Plant in the town of Nova Dubnica – Boilers for the firing of Waste Wood.
    Beneficiary: TERMONOVA, a.s. Nová Dubnica    
    Allocated grant: 24.99 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
17. Project title: Reconstruction of Heating Plant in the town of Kysucke Nove Mesto substitution of the boiler R11,6H for the Boiler firing Wood Chips.
    Beneficiary: Kysuca, s.r.o.       
    Allocated grant: 9.50 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
18. Project title: Reconstruction of Heating Plant Pazmana 24 in town Sala - Boiler for Wood Chips firing.
    Beneficiary: MENERT-THERM, s.r.o.        
    Allocated grant: 5.31 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
19. Project title: Reconstruction of Heating Plant Kukucinova 6 in town Sala - Straw Firing Boiler.
    Beneficiary: MENERT-THERM, s.r.o.        
    Allocated grant: 5.62 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
20. Project title: Utilisation of Saw Dust.
    Beneficiary: Ladislav Takác VICTORY              
    Allocated grant: 4.85 mil. SKK (1EUR = 37.5 SKK)
    
    Regional Project in Slovakia, which got delayed to 2009

More information and related links can be found in country page on Slovak Republic 2004-06.

# SPAIN

Waste Not, Want Not (Biogas)

Each year, the Spanish province Asturias produces around 400,000 tonnes of industrial waste, accounting for just over 2.5% of the national total. Planning for this important aspect of environmental protection began in 1982 with the construction of a central waste depot at the initiative of the principality and the 10 municipalities of the central Asturias region. With co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund, this project ran until 1993, when the industrial waste treatment plants were completed. In addition to the controlled treatment of solid urban waste, which produces over 32 Million kW/hour per year in electrical energy through biogas emissions, about 40% of the recyclable waste (paper, cardboard, metals, glass and plastics) has already found a secondary use.

Total project cost: 750,000 EUR
EU contribution: 325,000 EUR

More information on the European Commission regional policy website here and in the website of the Consortium (in Spanish) responsible for the collection, management and treatment of the solid waste.

# UNITED KINGDOM

Woodheat - Devon
 
Wood heat is an innovative alternative to burning fossil fuels using modern wood fueled boilers. The wood is from wood residues left over from timber harvesting, or from short rotation coppice on non-productive agricultural land. Farmers are the main suppliers and are organised into cooperatives, which own the equipment.

Total project cost: £ 1,873,638.28 (~2.8 Million EUR)
EU contribution: £ 470,000 (~ 0.7 Million EUR)

More information on the European Commission regional policy website: Link (pdf file) and in the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA.

WALES

• Biomass Power Plant - Western Log
  
  The project will install, commission and operate a state-of-the-art, advanced combustion 10 MW biomass power plant in the Neath Port Talbot local authority area. The site will cover approximately 2 hectares, consisting of the power plant, wood chipping and storage facilities and vehicle maneuvering areas.
  
  Approved: November 2005
  Project Cost: £34,437,416 (~ 50 Million EUR)
  ERDF Grant: £9,350,000 (~ 14 Million EUR)
  Sponsor Name: Western Bio Energy Ltd
  Partnership: Neath Port Talbot
  
  More information on the the Welsh European Funding Office website (Link) and in the Eco2 website, who was a partner of the project.

• Preseli Community Biomass Project
  
  The project involves the installation os sustainable carbon neutral heating to a rural community. This will be achieved by installing biomass pellet boilers in the community centre / Secondary School, Leisure Centre and the Primary School. The aim is to provide 70% of the site's heating requirements from a carbon neutral fuel and research potential for further similar projects.
  
  Approved: March 2003
  Project Cost: £102,787 (~ 0.15 Million EUR)
  ERDF Grant: £55,761 (~ 0.08 Million EUR)
  Sponsor Name: Pembroke shire County Council
  Partnership: Pembroke shire
  
  More information on the the Welsh European Funding Office website and in the Pembroke Shire website here.

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