Hunosa has been selected as one of the six exceptional nominees for the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Awards 2021 with the “Barredo Colliery District Heating” project.
This project transformed the old coal colliery of Barredo (Mieres, Asturias) into the largest geothermal district heating in Spain. The water of the closed mines, such as Barredo Colliery has to be pumped in order to prevent flooding. This implies very high costs for Hunosa, the state-owned company that is managing the facility.
With the new geothermal district heating system, this problem has been turned into a renewable resource. The system harnesses the thermal energy of the water and, thanks to the use of water-to-water heat pumps, provides heating and domestic hot water to the citizens of Mieres. The project has generated a significant environmental and social impact on its community.
Mieres has traditionally been a city linked to coal mining, with several collieries situated along River Caudal valley. Over the last decades, the decision of ending the extraction of coal meant the loss of a huge number of jobs. The transformation of the collieries brings new work opportunities and diversification in the economic activities of the area.
Moreover, the total estimated reduction of CO2 emission is remarkable, being around 650 tons per year in comparison to the previous natural gas system. In addition, the electricity for the geothermal facility comes from 100% renewable sources.
This project has the merit of having turned an ever-lasting cost into a limitless renewable resource, enabling the energy and economic transition of the region. It was awarded in 2019 by the International Energy Agency (6th Global District Energy Clkimate Awards) in the category of “Emerging Markets” with the “Award of Excellence”.
The winner of this year edition will be announced in Spring 2021.
Discover the six finalists of the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2021. Stay tuned to know more!
Stay tuned to know more!
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