New district heating network with Rehau biomass in Álava

Sustainable district heating networks for the distribution of heating and DHW are an increasingly common reality of renewable energy. For this reason, the town of Roitegui, located in the Iturrieta mountains, has opted for the installation of a municipal heat and hot water supply network with biomass boilers. An installation that has allowed notable energy savings for the 20 homes and the municipal council that make it up.

Roitegui is located in an environment with significant forest masses, this situation makes it possible for heat generation to be carried out through a system that uses previously treated, chipped and dried biomass as fuel. In this way, after evaluating the different options, Rehau opted for a district heating network for the distribution of heat and DHW. A solution designed to take advantage of the thermal energy coming from the existing biomass in the municipality's surroundings and achieve the use of residual biomass together with sustainable forest management.

Today, the distribution network is 1,564 meters long and has the Rauvitherm and Rauthermex pre-insulated pipe system. Both systems combine excellent thermal insulation properties and operational safety together with maximum flexibility.

Rauvitherm is a pre-insulated pipe made up of a lining with a ringed tubular sleeve made of high-density polyethylene, highly resistant to damage derived from work. Internally, the pipe is composed of several layers of heat-insulating foam, sealed longitudinally, which provides total tightness in case of damage to the pipe. The inner tube is made of PE-Xa specifically designed to work at high temperatures. Likewise, this system allows it to be adapted to any need thanks to its complete program of accessories.

Another advantage to take into account of this system is its innovative joining technique using a sliding sleeve, a comfortable and easy technique for making connections between pipes. The joints are completely watertight and thermally insulated, which guarantees a long useful life of the installation.

Rauthermex allows heat to be efficiently transported throughout the useful life of the installation thanks to the fact that it is made of PE-Xa, a high-performance material as it has highly effective PU foam insulation. These characteristics allow you to increase the profitability of your heat transport network and significantly reduce energy losses.