Successfull 1st training in Croatia
- Due to the Covid-19 crisis and restrictions put in place around the world and to limit the spread of the virus, the training was organized online. REGEA organized the first training event on 30th September 2020, as a virtual live event using the platform MS Teams. The trainings addressed the following target groups: Energy agencies, Municipalities from target regions, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Partners of WoodKey project, Development agencies, LEADER Network Croatia, Cities (national umbrella association of LAGs in Republic of Croatia), Hrvatske šume.
With a few welcoming words, the event was opened by Velimir Šegon, Deputy Managing Director at REGEA. He introduced the aims and objectives of ENTRAIN project. After the opening remarks Mr. Šegon held the presentation on How to plan a small district heating system. Good examples of district heating systems in Germany and Austria are presented. One such example already exists in Croatia - the biomass district heating plant in the municipality of Pokupsko opened in November 2015. As a result of the presentation on the project to implement the biomass district heating plant in Pokupsko, the training participants became aware that such projects are truly possible in Croatia.
Another speaker was Mr. Mario Klobučar from Hrvatske šume, a state owned company managing a state owned forest and its business approach is based largely on a very traditional model of wood biomass sale to customers. Mr. Klobučar spoke about biomass logistic centers as the key to successful integration of the biomass supply chain for bioenergy production in Croatia. He announced the launch of a national strategic project for the construction of collection and logistics centers for biomass, collection stations for the purchase of biomass from citizens and legal entities and the construction of biomass boilers and accordingly, the development of a national program for forest biomass energy use in the public sector. Hrvatske šume and REGEA are members of the Working Group established in January 2020 by the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture which has the main aim to develop the strategic vision and recommendations for the programming period 2021-2027 regarding forestry and woody biomass topics. The Working Group has in July 2020 produced the Sectorial analysis and status report on forestry in Croatia as an input to define the Strategic plan for Common Agriculture Policy of the Republic of Croatia.
The event was also used for getting feedback about their general interest to support and participate in the project activities, but also to raise awareness of the benefits of using renewables in district heating systems. Training participants were encouraged to attend all foreseen events and activities within the ENTRAIN project and also to become active members of the local ENTRAIN working group.
In the next sessions participants will have the opportunity to learn more about:
- how to start planning a small CTS on RES in their local community,
- how to encourage citizens to participate,
- how to determine whether building such a system is economic and financially justified and
- how to optimize the operation of the future plant, increase air quality and reduce emissions.
