Bioenergy now the Main Heat Source for Swedish Houses
Bioenergy is now the main source of heat for semi-detached and detached houses in Sweden. In 2008 more than half the energy used for heating and hot water came from bioenergy. In total 31.5 TWh were used to provide heating and hot water in detached and semi-detached houses in Sweden in 2008. 51% of these homes had bioenergy as their primary energy source and 49% had other primary energy sources (hydropower, nuclear power and fossil fuels). The biomass used for heating in Sweden is mainly wood-based by-products and residues from the forest sector.
Bioenergy was used both directly in the homes as biofuel (such as wood logs, pellets and chips) and indirectly via district heating plants. These plants, which use on average 70% biomass in their heat production, heat water which is then distributed in pipes to houses connected to the pipe network. The biomass used is mainly by-products from woodworking and forestry. Electricity is also used for heating in Sweden, both directly in radiators and indirectly via heat pumps. However, 7 per cent of the country’s electricity production is also produced from biomass at the power plants.
Fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas are losing ground in the Swedish energy mix, to the benefit of renewable energy in general and bioenergy in particular. This trend has attracted great international interest. That interest is also why the global exhibition and conference World Bioenergy, the meeting place for professionals within and around the bioenergy sector, has gained such a high global profile. “Last year our 200 exhibitors were visited by 4,400 visitors from 60 countries plus over 100 journalists,” says Jakob Hirsmark, Exhibition Manager of World Bioenergy. “In conjunction with the event 100 study visits were made to hands-on bioenergy sites and this programme was highly appreciated by the participants. We are witnessing an increasing interest in bioenergy solutions, and therefore the World Bioenergy 2010 event on 25-27 May at Elmia in Sweden looks very promising.”
Find out more and download diagrams, info and pictures at www.worldbioenergy.com.
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