Forests of Vallès
Published on 25 June 2018
Spain
Cataluña
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About this good practice
The Vallès Occidental is an essentially urban region with a high population density (up to 900,000 inhabitants), which has an important industrial fabric, but also with a high percentage of forest area (59.1%).
The forests of Vallès Occidental is an undermanaged area that has relatively low productivity and is quite vulnerable to climate change and wildfires. The project aimed to reactivate forest management and wood mobilisation by preferentially acting in those areas where the fire risk is higher and involving most of the stakeholders of the entire chain of Vallès Occidental.
The project reaches its objective by the construction of a logistic centre (with a capacity to handle up to 7.300 t annual of woodchip) and the installation of two big boilers (1850 kW in the Terrassa Health Consortium and 500 kW in the Sports Activity Service of the Autonomous University of Barcelona).
For the construction of these facilities a County Service of Forest Biomass has been created. The creation of this Service has allowed public and private contracts to be drawn up to promote the installation of boilers and the establishment of woodchip Logistic Centre.
The expectation is that the logistics centre, managed as a public service concession through the Public Service of Biomass Forest, can boost the wood mobilization of the region.
The forests of Vallès Occidental is an undermanaged area that has relatively low productivity and is quite vulnerable to climate change and wildfires. The project aimed to reactivate forest management and wood mobilisation by preferentially acting in those areas where the fire risk is higher and involving most of the stakeholders of the entire chain of Vallès Occidental.
The project reaches its objective by the construction of a logistic centre (with a capacity to handle up to 7.300 t annual of woodchip) and the installation of two big boilers (1850 kW in the Terrassa Health Consortium and 500 kW in the Sports Activity Service of the Autonomous University of Barcelona).
For the construction of these facilities a County Service of Forest Biomass has been created. The creation of this Service has allowed public and private contracts to be drawn up to promote the installation of boilers and the establishment of woodchip Logistic Centre.
The expectation is that the logistics centre, managed as a public service concession through the Public Service of Biomass Forest, can boost the wood mobilization of the region.
Resources needed
The project cost about 1.780 K€. It was founded mostly by Government of Catalonia (investment in equipment and supplies –logistic centre and two boilers) and co-founded by Vallès Occidental County Council, also with the cost of its human resources assigned to the project.
Evidence of success
The availability of three new facilities (two big boilers and the logistic centre) to mobilize wood in the region and contribute to prevent risk of fire.
The increase in owners’ association.
The great interest to produce high-quality woodchip and reduce the impact of its combustion on air pollution.
The increase in owners’ association.
The great interest to produce high-quality woodchip and reduce the impact of its combustion on air pollution.
Potential for learning or transfer
This project is highly innovative because includes criteria for traceability and control of woodchip quality. It also anticipates the application of European regulations on the reduction of emissions of boilers, in order to make their installation compatible with areas close to periurban forest with greater risk air pollution.
Models of administrative specifications for the start-up of the service in other regions in other municipalities.
Models of administrative specifications for the start-up of the service in other regions in other municipalities.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
County Council of Vallès Occidental
Spain
Cataluña