Assessing the Importance of Biomass-Based Heating Systems for More Sustainable Buildings: A Case Study Based in Spain

Ana Mejías,Antonio Sartal,Juan E Pardo

doi:10.3390/en13051025

Abstract

Climate change, other environmental impacts due to increased energy use worldwide, and the exhaustion of energy resources are some of the major challenges facing today’s society. Considering this, this paper assesses the importance of biomass-based heating and hot-water systems in the achievement of more sustainable buildings. Using a simplified calculation method, we jointly analyzed the potential operational cost savings and reduction of CO2 emissions that would be achieved when the traditional energy model, based on the use of fossil fuels, is replaced by biomass-based heating systems. Evidence stems from a case study in public buildings in the province of Pontevedra, in the northwest of Spain. The results of this research not only show a huge impact on CO2 emission reduction just by adapting the kind of fuel use, but also considerable annual cost reduction without compromising activity development and workers’ comfort. Thus, the findings obtained should encourage governments to support the transition toward cleaner sources of energy, acting as first movers toward a locally produced and renewable-based energy supply.

Highlights

IntroductionClimate change and the environmental impacts of increased energy use worldwide (global warming, CO2 emissions, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, etc.), as well as the exhaustion of fixed energy resources, are major long-term challenges facing today’s society [1]
Climate change and the environmental impacts of increased energy use worldwide, as well as the exhaustion of fixed energy resources, are major long-term challenges facing today’s society [1]
Asimplified method was developed in order to determine the primary energy consumption associated with heat generation and thermal demand for domestic hot water (DHW) in the institutional buildings managed by a local government

Summary

Introduction

Climate change and the environmental impacts of increased energy use worldwide (global warming, CO2 emissions, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, etc.), as well as the exhaustion of fixed energy resources, are major long-term challenges facing today’s society [1]. The problem of fossil-fuel depletion is becoming increasingly crucial, with more than 25 billion tons of CO2 arising from worldwide human activities released annually into the atmosphere For this reason, the development of new technologies (such as battery electric vehicles for sustainable mobility) and the changing from conventional fuel to biofuel are stringent necessities, both to meet energy demand and to limit the production of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter in urban contexts [6,7,8]. In the Energies 2020, 13, 1025; doi:10.3390/en13051025 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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