In Spain, 420.000 annual tons are produced, which provide 1.880,6 GWh (162.120 tep).
In Spain, which has the largest area of the world dedicated to olive cultivation (more than 2,6 million hectares), 6,2 millions of tons of olives are produced annually, providing 420.000 tons of bone, of which 323.500 tons are sold; the rest is consumed in the own mills and extractors as a source of heat for their processes.
The commercialization of the olive bone as a biofuel generates a business of 50,7 million euros per year. A large part of the production is sold in bulk (283.500 tons), at an average price of 159 € / t. Around 20.000 tonnes are sold in bags of 15, 18, 20 and 25 Kg. And / or in 'big bags' (190 € / t), mainly for domestic use in urban environments. And other 20.000 tonnes are destined for export (95 € / t).
From the energy point of view, the 420.000 tons of average annual production of olive stone, for moisture values less than 12% and a lower calorific value of 4,48 kWh / Kg, it is estimated that they could generate 1.880,6 GWh / year (162.120 tep). A figure equivalent to 0,13% of total primary energy consumption in Spain.
Heat in more than 100.000 homes
The olive bone is currently used as heating biofuel in more than 100.000 homes, which are located mainly in Madrid, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, according to Avebiom estimates.
They are also joined by a significant number of poultry and pig farms, especially in Andalusia and Catalonia; as well as industries of the food sector and buildings for collective use, such as hotels, residences for the elderly, sports centers with heated swimming pools, schools, medical offices, town halls, administrative buildings, and so on.
Energetically recoverable by-product
Olive stone producers and the Spanish Association for Biomass Energy Valorization (Avebiom) have formally requested the Ministry of Agriculture to 'normalize' its use as a biofuel and to be cataloged as an 'energy-valued by-product', in order to give legal coverage to the protocols that are currently carried out throughout the process of the commercial chain.
On the part of the producers have signed this request the responsible of Agroalimentarias Cooperatives, that agglutinate to the 98% of the cooperative almazaras of all Spain; the Spanish Federation of Manufacturers of Olive Oil (Infaoliva), which groups 80% of industrial oil mills; and the National Association of Olive Pomace Oil Companies (Aneo), which represents the 45 marc extractors that operate in Spain.
In Spain, 420.000 annual tons are produced, which provide 1.880,6 GWh (162.120 tep).
In Spain, which has the largest area of the world dedicated to olive cultivation (more than 2,6 million hectares), 6,2 millions of tons of olives are produced annually, providing 420.000 tons of bone, of which 323.500 tons are sold; the rest is consumed in the own mills and extractors as a source of heat for their processes.
The commercialization of the olive bone as a biofuel generates a business of 50,7 million euros per year. A large part of the production is sold in bulk (283.500 tons), at an average price of 159 € / t. Around 20.000 tonnes are sold in bags of 15, 18, 20 and 25 Kg. And / or in 'big bags' (190 € / t), mainly for domestic use in urban environments. And other 20.000 tonnes are destined for export (95 € / t).
From the energy point of view, the 420.000 tons of average annual production of olive stone, for moisture values less than 12% and a lower calorific value of 4,48 kWh / Kg, it is estimated that they could generate 1.880,6 GWh / year (162.120 tep). A figure equivalent to 0,13% of total primary energy consumption in Spain.
Heat in more than 100.000 homes
The olive bone is currently used as heating biofuel in more than 100.000 homes, which are located mainly in Madrid, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, according to Avebiom estimates.
They are also joined by a significant number of poultry and pig farms, especially in Andalusia and Catalonia; as well as industries of the food sector and buildings for collective use, such as hotels, residences for the elderly, sports centers with heated swimming pools, schools, medical offices, town halls, administrative buildings, and so on.
Energetically recoverable by-product
Olive stone producers and the Spanish Association for Biomass Energy Valorization (Avebiom) have formally requested the Ministry of Agriculture to 'normalize' its use as a biofuel and to be cataloged as an 'energy-valued by-product', in order to give legal coverage to the protocols that are currently carried out throughout the process of the commercial chain.
On the part of the producers have signed this request the responsible of Agroalimentarias Cooperatives, that agglutinate to the 98% of the cooperative almazaras of all Spain; the Spanish Federation of Manufacturers of Olive Oil (Infaoliva), which groups 80% of industrial oil mills; and the National Association of Olive Pomace Oil Companies (Aneo), which represents the 45 marc extractors that operate in Spain.