Aiel: Wood biomass is the most widely used and efficient energy source in Italy

Wood biomass has proven to be the most efficient renewable energy source in terms of €/ktep of renewable heat produced: with an investment of 2.1 million euros, 11,630 MWh of renewable heat were generated, surpassing any other renewable energy source.

Wood biomass: the most used renewable source in the thermal sector

These data emerge from the report presented by Valter Francescato, Technical Director of Aiel, during the latest Members' Assembly. In his speech, Francescato analyzed the numbers from the latest GSE statistical report, which confirm the crucial role of bioenergy in the energy decarbonization process supported by European and national institutions.

Overall, in 2021, renewable sources covered 19.7% of energy consumption in the thermal sector. Of the approximately 11.2 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of total renewable thermal energy consumption, about 10.3 Mtoe are direct consumption through individual boilers, stoves, fireplaces, solar panels, heat pumps, and geothermal plants, while only 0.9 Mtoe are derived heat consumption, such as through district heating systems powered by biomass.

As previously mentioned, solid biomass represents the most used renewable source in the thermal sector, currently generating about 6.8 Mtoe of direct consumption, mainly in the domestic sector in the form of firewood or pellets.

Wood Biomass: +6.8% Compared to 2020

Environmental energy for heating and hot water provided by heat pumps stands at 2.5 Mtoe, while the contributions from other sources, such as solar or geothermal energy, are even lower.

Compared to 2020, biomass consumption in 2021 recorded an increase of 6.8%, mainly influenced by different climatic conditions.

According to Aiel, it is therefore a priority to focus on energy efficiency, renewability, and a sustainable and realistic energy strategy based on an adequate renewable energy mix that considers all available renewable sources to make the ecological transition possible. Bioenergy already represents the future today, and the importance of wood in the ecological transition process cannot be underestimated.