Romania: 25 October 2023 

Bioenergy: Energizing local communities in Romania 

Romania’s Green Energy Innovative Biomass Cluster is leading a successful initiative called “One Village, 1 MW,” which empowers localities to generate their own energy from green waste. This approach involves identifying local biomass sources, harvesting and cultivating energy crops, and creating biomass heating plants. Over 200 small biomass-based heating systems have been installed in 45+ villages in Romania, with a total capacity exceeding 30 MW.

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Given that localities have a considerable amount of green waste, each has the potential to produce its own raw material for heating and to become energy self-sufficient. Romania’s Green Energy Innovative Biomass Cluster is a great example of how this can be successful as it actively promotes the concept of One Village, 1 MW. By embracing these ideas, a locality can generate its own energy; the concept foresees:  

    1. identification of biomass sources at local level (waste from felling of trees in forests, wood waste from pastures, pruning from green areas, orchards, gardens, parks, households, etc.), 
    2. harvesting of biomass at community level, 
    3. cultivation of energy crops, 
    4. logistics (milling, storage, transport), 
    5. boiler manufacturing, 
    6. installation and commissioning of biomass heating plant, 
    7. and connecting the users to the system (especially public buildings).  

Across Romania, more than 200+ small and medium-sized biomass-based heating systems have been installed in more than 45 villages, with a total capacity over 30 MW. To link these communities together, the Cluster has also created a platform called BioVillMap, which lists over half of the projects (25-30 rural municipalities) and highlights their major achievements in bioenergy production from local biomass. 

This integrated approach takes into consideration the principles of sustainability, and emphasizes the importance of cooperation of various stakeholders including:

    1. business players along the value chain (fuel producers, technology, and service providers that include harvesting and collection, pre-treatment, upgrading, storage, transportation, and handling),
    2. researchers, knowledge and education providers to identify innovative solutions and facilitate technology transfer in the field of bioenergy,
    3. and local public authorities to adopt adequate policies to implement integrated bioenergy solutions.

The small-scale, community-based systems are taking into consideration the local potential, creating value for the local communities, by preserving and protecting the environment, creating local jobs and business opportunities, as well as ensuring energy from local biomass resources. It is a sustainable business model: good for nature, and good for the communities.

Empowering local communities to build resilience to climate change is crucial for a sustainable future. The Cluster aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially to SDG7: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

 

Romania’s Green Innovative Biomass Cluster‘s vision is to the shape a sustainable economy and a society that lives in harmony with nature, uses clean energy, and upholds sustainable management of forests and agriculture. The Cluster’s main objective is to promote the production and use of solid biofuel from locally available biomass sources (forestry, wood, and agricultural waste) ensuring this way locally available bioenergy for the communities.

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