Green Energy Cooperative or Zelena Energetska Zadruga (ZEZ) has launched a public call under the AgroBioHeat project to support icebreaker initiatives for the consumption of agrobiomass – agricultural or agroindustrial biomass residues, or energy crops for heat generation in small facilities under 500 kW.

The invitation, which applies only to Croatia, is open until 24 February.

ZEZ calls on rural city councils, agroindustries, farms or companies in the rural areas to take a decisive step: start using straw, pruning residues, olive stones or energy crops for heat generation (heating, sanitary water, heat or process steam), according to the AgroBioHeat website.

The project is part of Horizon 2020 and is also being implemented in France, Greece, Romania, Spain and Ukraine.

The cooperative offers expert support in preparing the project idea, as well as help to find the right model of innovative financing with a focus on involving the local community.

ZEZ is looking for partners that want to use agrobiomass in small installations for heating in rural areas

ZEZ is looking for partners that want to use agrobiomass in small installations for heating in rural areas. A good idea involves appropriate and modern technology, high efficiency with low emissions, and an emphasis on local community involvement in implementation, the statement adds.

Energy services companies (ESCO) can also apply

Some examples are a rural city council that wants to install a heat network or a boiler in municipal offices; an energy services company (ESCO) with potential customers who have doubts in choosing agricultural biomass instead of usual woodchips or pellets; or an owner of a farm, a cooperative or agroindustry that intends to consume its own byproducts but has not a clear idea from where to start to make it real.