Programmes

The biomass unit aims at reducing the particularly high costs, needed to cover households’ thermal energy need in Metsovo. At the same time, such an energy unit is friendly to the environment, since it is based on renewable energy sources.

In the broader area of Metsovo the biomass potential is plentiful. More than 28,500 ha of forests are being systematically logged under the supervision of local forest authorities. The annual production of timber is about 12,400 tn. The residues of forests production are estimated to be 2,000 tn, the agricultural residues 800 tn and the residues of wood industries 500 tn. The annual heat demand in the town of Metsovo is 21,200 MWh and the peak power demand is 4.85 MW. It is estimated that 70% of the households’ thermal energy needs can be covered be utilizing 50% of the annually available biomass potential.

The total cost of the investment is estimated to be 13,600,000 euros, including the district heating network and the heat exchangers. The investment can be, under certain prerequisites, be financially viable. The social – cost benefit analysis proves to have positive results, even if the investment is founded, without any subsidy, by the local Municipality.

The research project proves that the utilization of the locally available biomass could be a part of a dynamic development policy for the Municipality of Metsovo. It would reduce the economic burden of the households, as regards thermal energy costs, and it will contribute to the reduction of the environmental footprint of the energy sector in the area.

The organic residues in Metsovo are produced because of the agricultural and livestock breeding activities in the area. Some smaller quantities of residues are produced be wine and cheese production industries. The biogas potential of the organic residues is estimated to be between 1,216,288 and 2,039,466m3, with energy content from 7,297 to 12,237 MWh.

The pilot unit was designed with lower capacity than the maximum that could be achieved. This choice was made, in order to ensure the seamless operation of the unit and avoid problems because of fluctuations in the residues production. The organic residues, which would be used for biogas production would come from: livestock breeding farms (161,200 m3 from sheep and goats farms, 53,400 m3 from pig farms, 326,000m3 from poultry units), a wine production industry (16,900 m3), a cheese production industry (46,500 m3) and crops (147,000 m3)

The biogas produced by these residues could feed an electro-generator with a capacity of 180 kW. The heat recovery system of the electro-generator could have power of up to 270 kW. The electrical energy produced by the unit would be transferred to the wastewater treatment unit of Metsovo. The heat would be distributed via a district heating network to the primary school of the town.

The necessary budget for creating such a pilot unit is about 1,950,000 €. The social cost - benefit analysis of the investment is positive. For the first time in Greece (for supporting the cost – benefit analysis) a direct method (Contingent Valuation) for evaluating the financial dimension of the organic pollution was applied.

Taking into account the priorities related to the rural development (especially in mountainous and less-favored areas), through the project, it was tried to cover the following strategic aims of the Region of Epirus:

·         Determination of the characteristics of semi-urban and rural areas in the Region of Epirus, which are suitable for applying integrated actions

·         Description of actions (in the form of integrated plans) which will organize the interventions into multiple and cohesive actions

·         Description of the necessary procedures for planning and setting up of the conditions/ prerequisites for submitting action plans

·         Setting up the specifications, according to which actions plans should be created

The project developed an innovative methodology for spotting and evaluating areas, aiming at composing policies and measures of rural restructuring. Based on a cartographic background and using as a “cell” the unit of municipal district, the project tried to combine the development perspectives of the rural sector with networks of settlements and multifunctional areas. This unified view of the Region of Epirus led to the creation of dynamic networks, at the basis of which actions and measures are planned. All the data were attributed to maps. These maps together with spatial analysis created a “geo-base”, necessary for the completion of the project. A primary survey based on specially designed questionnaires was also a core part of the project.