New district heating network with biomass from Rehau in Álava

Sustainable district heating networks for heating and hot water distribution are an increasingly common renewable energy solution. For this reason, the village of Roitegui, located in the Iturrieta mountains, has opted for the installation of a municipal network for heating and hot water using biomass boilers. This installation has resulted in significant energy savings for the 20 homes and the town hall that comprise the village.

Roitegui is located in an area with significant forest cover, making it possible to generate heat using a system that utilizes pre-treated, chipped, and dried biomass as fuel. Therefore, after evaluating different options, Rehau opted for a district heating network for heat and domestic hot water distribution. This solution is designed to harness the thermal energy from the biomass available in the municipality's surroundings and achieve the utilization of residual biomass while promoting sustainable forest management.

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

Rauvitherm is a pre-insulated pipe consisting of a high-density polyethylene ringed tubular sheath, highly resistant to damage during installation. Internally, the pipe is composed of several layers of thermal insulation foam, longitudinally sealed to ensure a watertight seal in case of damage. The inner tube is made of PE-Xa, specifically designed for high-temperature applications. Furthermore, this system can be adapted to any requirement thanks to its comprehensive range of accessories.

Another advantage of this system is its innovative sliding sleeve connection technique, a convenient and easy method for connecting pipes. The joints are completely watertight and thermally insulated, ensuring a long lifespan for the installation.

Rauthermex enables efficient heat transfer throughout the installation's lifespan thanks to its PE-Xa construction, a high-performance material with highly effective PU foam insulation. These features increase the profitability of your heat transfer network and significantly reduce energy losses.