Čierny Balog
Support for renewable energy and the bioeconomy
Description
The economy of the eight settlements Krám, Medveďov, Balog, Fajtov, Jánošovka, Komov, Pustô, Dobroč that make up the village of Čierny Balog is historically linked to forestry and timber– its extraction, processing and transport – as well as coal mining. Under the Smart Rural 27 project, an association called Bioenergia Bystricka was established to run a pilot project between 2011 and 2012 investigating the use of the large amount of locally produced secondary wood materials for the generation of energy in Čierny Balog, facilitating the switch from coal to biomass.
Technology
The heating system was designed to provide effective low carbon renewable heating solutions, using wood waste from municipal sawmills and/or the municipal forest, for which five boiler rooms (automatic and semi-automatic) and four central storage rooms have been built. Under the project, wood chip and/or timber waste from village-owned land were used as an energy source, providing heating to the village’s municipal buildings in a sustainable and fully self-sufficient manner, and strengthening its economic independence from large energy suppliers.
Target
The main target of the smart village is the rural community and its inhabitants, which can benefit from a renewable source of energy that is also used to heat public buildings. Private stakeholders in the region have been also inspired by the experience of Čierny Balog, and have followed its footsteps in other villages.
Impact
According to 2021 data, the self-sufficient heating system has reduced the cost of heating public buildings by 20–30%, with the further benefits of reduced CO2 emissions and a cleaner working environment.
Partners
CEPA-Friends of the Earth (Center for Environmental Public Advocacy)
Four Betters
Better environment
