Potential of biomass district heating systems in rural areas

Biomass district heating systems are a promising way to increase thermal efficiency in rural areas. These areas have specific characteristics, such as a relative low linear heat density and proximity to biomass resources. Generally, rural areas show higher levels of energy poverty than urban areas and a higher number of partially used or unoccupied dwellings. These factors greatly affect the energy provided by a district heating system and should therefore be properly assessed when designing a sustainable facility. This manuscript develops a methodology for implementing biomass district heating facilities in rural areas, taking into account their specific characteristics. As a case study, the methodology is applied to 499 rural municipalities with a population above 1500 inhabitants in the continental region of Spain. Results show a potential for 154 biomass district heating systems with an internal rate of return above 5%, and 31 systems above 10%. On the other hand, only three district heating systems are classified as non-profitable. The massive implantation of these systems in the region under study reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in 5.4 million tons per year and would imply and important impulse to local economy.