30 years of sustainable heat: Unterrabnitz celebrates its biosolar heating plant!

30 years of sustainable heat: Unterrabnitz celebrates its biosolar heating plant!

A very special anniversary is being celebrated in Unterrabnitz this year: the biosolar heating plant, a prime example of sustainable heat supply, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since it was founded in 1995, the number of connected households has doubled and around 100 buildings are now supplied with heat and hot water. The success of the heating plant is due not least to the innovative use of regional resources.

Heat is produced by two binder biomass boilers that are powered by wood chips from the surrounding area. The heating plant not only strengthens the local economy, but also reduces CO2 emissions. A special asset is the 500 square meter solar collector area, which contributes to improving energy efficiency. The total output of the boilers is an impressive 1,140 kW and ensures that around 2,000 MWh are generated from wood chips and 200 MWh from solar energy every year.

Development and milestones

Since its commissioning, the biosolar heating plant has reached several important milestones. A second boiler was installed in 2007, which supplies an additional 500 kW. In 2014, a wheel loader was added for efficient handling of the wood chips, and in 2020 the 25th anniversary of the heating plant was celebrated. This year, the 30th anniversary will be honored with the publication of a commemorative publication that documents the development of the project and its significance for the region.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the heating plant also functions as a social meeting place. Events like wood cutting competitions bring people in the area together and promote a sense of community. This commitment underlines the people-oriented and sustainable orientation of the project, which offers not only technical but also social added value.

Technical details and future outlook

The heating plant has a 4.5 kilometer long pipe network for heat supply and a buffer storage tank with a capacity of 58,000 liters, which optimally compensates for fluctuations in energy requirements. This technical sophistication ensures that heat is always delivered reliably, no matter how high demand is. The innovative concept shows that the combination of biomass and solar energy is a future-oriented approach to heat supply.

With these impressive achievements, the biosolar heating plant in Unterrabnitz is not only a pioneer in the region, but also sets standards for other communities in Austria. The joy of celebrating our 30th anniversary is not only a reason to celebrate, but also an impetus to take further steps towards a sustainable future. The project impressively shows that it is possible to use local resources sensibly and strengthen the community.

For further information about the technologies used and sustainable heat supply, it is worth taking a look at the details at oranier.com.