Technological advances, new more efficient automatic systems, a drop in consumption: between 2010 and 2022, Pm10 emissions (PM10 is the fraction of particles collected with a sorting system having an efficiency established by the Uni En12341/2001 standard and equal to 50 per cent for the aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm, ed.) caused by wood and pellet burning appliances in Italy decreased by 40 per cent, net of a substantial stability of the installed fleet. Technological turnover particularly affected ‘traditional’ devices such as open fireplaces, which fell from 42 per cent of the installed fleet in 2010 to 34 per cent in 2022. While pellet stoves, in the same years, have risen from 6 per cent to 21 per cent of the total installed base. However, an ageing fleet persists in our country, as 66 per cent of the appliances are over 10 years old.
The picture emerges from the data in the 2023 statistical report “Wood in residential and domestic heating” edited by Aiel – Italian Association of Agroforestry Energy, which photographs the state of biomass domestic heating in 2022 and, in particular, the evolution of the technological park and its effects in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of atmospheric emissions.
“A decisive contribution to improving air quality has come from the ‘thermal account’, which, together with local and regional funding calls, has acted as a driving force for the energy-environmental upgrading of biomass generators – explains Annalisa Paniz, Aiel’s director general – However, in Italy there is still a large fleet of old generators that hinders further acceleration of the process of improving air quality. This is why it is necessary to strengthen the commitment in this direction, starting with a simplification, revision, and strengthening of the ‘conto termico’ incentive scheme’.
THE AIEL REPORT
The Aiel Report data show that the installed stock in the residential sector has undergone a profound evolution between 2010 and 2022 with respect to the type of appliances installed and the biofuel used. Traditional’ devices, such as open fireplaces, fell from 42 per cent of the installed fleet to 34 per cent. While pellet stoves, i.e. automatic appliances with advanced combustion technology, have risen from 6 per cent to 21 per cent of the total installed in 12 years, marking an increase of 16 percentage points. Wood-fired appliances, which accounted for 92 per cent of the installed fleet in 2010, now account for 75 per cent, while pellet-fuelled technologies have grown from 8 per cent to 25 per cent.
However, technology turnover has yet to affect more than half of the installed appliances: in fact, about 66 per cent are over 10 years old. Over the past five years, however, there has been a sharp decline in wood-burning appliances based on ‘traditional’ combustion techniques: the open fireplace, for example, accounts for only 0.4 per cent of newly installed appliances. However, more than three million of these generators still remain in operation due to their very long service life.
Sales remain dominated by pellet-fuelled appliances and pellet stoves in particular: 59 per cent of sales between 2010 and 2022. Wood-fuelled stoves follow, accounting for 13 per cent of sales over the period. The consumption of wood biofuels has also changed: between 2010 and 2022, the consumption of firewood fell from 85 per cent of total consumption to 70 per cent, due to the increased use of pellets, which rose from 6 per cent to 21 per cent in the same period, and a significant increase in the energy efficiency of new wood-fuelled generators; less and better consumption is being achieved. Wood chips steadily account for about 8 per cent of total consumption.
PROGETTO FUOCO 2024
And it is precisely technological innovations and the sector’s drive towards energy efficiency that are at the heart of Progetto Fuoco, the trade-show dedicated to biomass heating scheduled at Veronafiere from 28 February to 2 March 2024. “At Progetto Fuoco, the theme of environmental sustainability is at the centre,” explained Raul Barbieri, Veronafiere’s commercial director. “Data from the Aiel report show that the replacement of older generators in favour of the purchase of new-generation ones is essential to take a real step forward towards lowering the emission of harmful particulates into the atmosphere.”
From stoves to fireplaces, passing by boilers, barbecues and wood and pellet stoves: Progetto Fuoco, the reference event for the sector, has its engines running at full speed and confirms itself as an international reference moment for the presentation of new products. In addition to exhibitions, conferences, workshops, startup pitches, practical demonstrations and training opportunities. Innovation, the great protagonist of the event, will be featured in two initiatives: the Innovation Village, which will bring together the best Italian and European start-ups, and the third edition of ‘Give Me Fire – Progetto Fuoco Startup Award’, the prize for the best technology in the sector. The call for start-ups is still open
