Enel Energia begins work on first mini-biomass plant for Luxottica group

The plant, with a capacity of 199 kWe, will be able to meet almost the entire heating and cooling requirements of the facility, as well as part of its electricity needs, meaning that, for the first time, eyeglasses will be produced using renewable energy.

The plant will be fuelled with solid biomass from the local area, such as woodchips, clippings and pruning by-products. Unione Montana and the municipality of Agordo, located in the heart of the Dolomiti National Park, will contribute to the project by involving local resources and businesses, with biomass of a certified quality being supplied solely by local producers and those of the communities within a 30-40 km radius. The goal of this process is to ensure the optimum management of the forested area, thereby contributing to maintaining the hydrogeological balance of the area. The project will also help develop local skills, which will have a positive impact on the local economy and employment.

The innovative plant is part of a broader Enel Energia project that encourages the spread throughout Italy of a network of CHP/CCHP mini-biomass plants fuelled by local resources. The heat generated will be sold at low cost to local businesses, thereby helping them to save costs and produce lower CO2 emissions than with traditional fossil fuels.