Overall efficiency increase via solar and storage solution

Nahwärme Eibiswald uses wood chips to heat its district heating network. Wood chips are 100% CO2 free but are still subject to fluctuating purchase prices. 

In 1997 Nahwärme Eibiswald installed its first district heating solar plant. With the installed collector area of 1,150 m² and solar heat storage volume of 105 m³/27,740 gal, Nahwärme Eibiswald was able to cover up to 90% of its heat demand via the solar thermal plant during the summer months. In 2012, an additional 1,115 m² of advanced high-temperature flat plate collectors were installed. The hot water storage volume was increased by 60 m³.