Biomass Boiler for Renewable Spa
Published on 03 July 2018
Spain
Extremadura
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About this good practice
The high price of diesel oil has encouraged many companies and hotel facilities to search for cheaper energy alternatives. One of the first ones to do so in Extremadura is the health/spa resort El Raposo, one of the largest and most active ones in the region.
This facility has installed a biomass boiler of 220 kW to replace an important amount of the oil that was currently consumed. The boiler chosen is Fröling, TurboMat TM220.
There are currently still five oil boilers that are only used in case there is a need of support. But the biomass one is the main boiler, operating in some cases up to 24 hours a day and during 11 months of the year. This maximizes the savings in fuel. The yearly consumption of 220 tonnes of wood chips, replaces the consumption of 75.000 litres per year of oil.
The service life of the boiler is 20 to 30 years.
When the biomass boiler was installed, it used forest wood chips, but they were later replaced by almond shell due to the many advantages that this raw material has. The downside is that it requires a more frequent and exhaustive cleaning.
The biomass boiler’s maintenance is low and it produces little waste, that is used as compost for the hotel’s farmland.
The boiler replacement works jointly with solar thermal panels that are installed on the roof of the hotel.
This facility has installed a biomass boiler of 220 kW to replace an important amount of the oil that was currently consumed. The boiler chosen is Fröling, TurboMat TM220.
There are currently still five oil boilers that are only used in case there is a need of support. But the biomass one is the main boiler, operating in some cases up to 24 hours a day and during 11 months of the year. This maximizes the savings in fuel. The yearly consumption of 220 tonnes of wood chips, replaces the consumption of 75.000 litres per year of oil.
The service life of the boiler is 20 to 30 years.
When the biomass boiler was installed, it used forest wood chips, but they were later replaced by almond shell due to the many advantages that this raw material has. The downside is that it requires a more frequent and exhaustive cleaning.
The biomass boiler’s maintenance is low and it produces little waste, that is used as compost for the hotel’s farmland.
The boiler replacement works jointly with solar thermal panels that are installed on the roof of the hotel.
Resources needed
The information regarding the total amount invested in this project is not yet available.
Evidence of success
The cost of the biomass raw material is 9.900€ per year. After considering this expense, the minimum savings are still 38.000€ per year, which results in a payback period that is less than 3 years.
An important evidence of success is the amount of CO2 emissions that are saved. The estimates put the number in 550 tonnes of CO2 per year.
An important evidence of success is the amount of CO2 emissions that are saved. The estimates put the number in 550 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Potential for learning or transfer
The use of biomass boilers offers two great advantages: not depending on the continuous increase in price of diesel oil, and the use of local biomass material such as crushed agricultural pruning waste and wood chips. And the greater the use of the boiler (in winter for instance), the greater the savings produced.
Hotel developers have proven economic savings of 50% using biomass boilers in the hotel sector.
Hotel developers have proven economic savings of 50% using biomass boilers in the hotel sector.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
El Raposo Hotel and Spa
Spain
Extremadura
Contact