Narrative
In 2013 private investor constructed a biogas power plant and wind farm in Potęgowo municipality (Pomorskie Region in Poland). The investor focused on prodution of electric energy and did not pay attention to the use of heat from biogas plant. Potęgowo municipality had at that time a small heating network, which was powered by coal power plant 2,2MW. Municipal installation was old an ineffective. For mayor of the municipality it was an interesting opportunity to connect the heating network to the renewable heat from biogas power plant and renew the heating network at the same time. This idea could come through with use of European funding. The funding was found in regional operational program for Pomorskie region 2014-2020. Since 2016 to 2020 the investment was realised: - connection of biogas power plant heat to the municipal heating network (2016); - disconnection of coal power plant from the network (2019); - renowation and extension of heating network to over a 1000 of inhabitants of Potęgowo municipality (2016-2020). The investment allowed to use previously unused heat and reduced about 2 500 t CO2eq yearly. Costs of heating in the city was reduced for the end users by 20%.
Financial data
The investment was financed from Regional Operational Program of Pomorskie region 2014-2020. Whole project cost was: 8.534.827,29 zł of which eligible costs: 6.954.023,77 zł. Donation was: 5.910.920,20 zł (85%).
Recommendations
It is highly recommended to connect existing heating networks or create new networks based on renewable heat, especially the heat that was produced and unused before (waste heat). Heating networks of this kind can substitute indiwidual heating furnaces in villages or small cities.
Information sources
Gmina PotęgowoOther info
Source technical information about the investment (Polish): https://www.potegowo.pl/pl/inwestycje/budowa-sieci-ciep%C5%82owniczej-wraz-z-w%C4%99z%C5%82ami-cieplnymi-w-gminie-pot%C4%99gowo Award for the investment - renovation of the year 2020: https://www.modernizacjaroku.org.pl/pl/edition/1691/object/1837/ekologiczny-cieplociag-gminny-zasilany-z-biogazowni-gmina-potegowo
