BioHeatLocal

Wood biomass for regional development (OP SI HR – 2013-2015).

The aim of the BioHeatLocal project is to increase and improve the utilization of lower quality wood for energy purposes, primarily by establishing local production chains. Accordingly, the general objectives of the project also relate to increased economic growth and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, which is facilitated by cross-border business cooperation in the field of utilization of forest biomass and biomass from fast-growing plantations.

In addition to the benefits that the project has for the local community (newly created jobs, social cohesion, reducing rural depopulation, etc.), the project will also contribute to objectives that are not directly related to the priority of economic development or entrepreneurship development in the Operational Programme. Namely, increased biomass utilization has a positive impact on environmental protection (local and global), and also increases energy security, independence and self-sufficiency of the local population.

Specific cross-border objectives:

Concrete technical and professional support to selected (6 cases in Slovenia and 6 cases in Croatia) local communities for the establishment of production chains and the preparation of project documentation for 4 cases of heating public buildings with wood biomass (2 cases in Slovenia and 2 cases in Croatia);
professional and technical support for concrete business initiatives along production chains in border local communities (support for forest owners for the production of wood biomass, support for the establishment of biomass logistics centers and support for investments in wood biomass heating);
detailed analysis of the potential of wood usable for energy purposes from private forests and fast-growing plantations in the area on both sides of the border and assessment of competing sectors (wood use in the wood industry);
detailed analysis of existing production chains and current users of wood biomass in selected regions and optimization of current production chains;
The most important specific cross-border objective is to establish production chains for the production, supply and use of woody biomass in regions where the region is not limited by a state border;
preparation of feasibility studies for biomass logistics centers and energy contracting in selected local communities;
increasing the awareness, knowledge and education of private forest owners and entrepreneurs about the possibilities and methods of exploiting forest biomass and biomass from fast-growing plantations, with special emphasis on:
modern and efficient technologies for obtaining and utilizing biomass;
market models and mechanisms that are established in more developed EU member states (especially in Austria and Finland);
demonstrating the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the use of wood biomass in the regions.

Development of a market for trading forest biomass and biomass from fast-growing plantations for energy purposes in the cross-border area. Emphasis will also be placed on ensuring the quality of wood fuels.

Project website: http://www.bioheatlocal.com/