Name:
Biomass boiler in Witoldowo

Location (settlement, country):
Witoldowo, Poland

Brief description of the technology:
For the purpose of heating primarily a surplus of straw is used. Straw is collected during the harvest as livestock bedding. Straw left by the harvester is pressed into blocks with dimensions 0.4 x 0.46 x 0.8-1 m. Pressed straw blocks are carried to the farm, and are stored under roof. For heating purposes especially wheat and triticale straw is used. The number of straw bales burned in the boiler depends on the season. During summer from 4 to 8 bales/day is used. Thermal energy is used to heat the water used for the household and in the farm buildings. However, in winter (depending on the temperature) 12 to 20 bales/day are used to heat a residential building of 200 m² and the water for the household members and for livestock purposes. The boiler is located 20 meters from the residential building. At one time four straw bales can be placed in the boiler. Burning rate is adjusted by the amount of necessary air. Currently people are working on the automatization and modernization of the boiler, in order to reduce the amount of consumed fuel.

Why is it a „Best practice”:
For heating it uses the surplus of straw produced in the own farm. The thermal energy is produced from renewable energy sources, which reduces the amount of use of fossil fuels. It keeps closed circulation of matter in the farm, because the ash in the form of fertilizer goes back into the field. In addition, the farm spends no extra money for heating purposes during the year.

Possibility for a visit or guided tour (yes / no):
No

Website (if available):
Does not have a website

Contact person:
Roman Skotnicki +48 (52) 581 60 69 (contact only in Polish language)

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