Interview with Marius Massallé, Councillor for the environment and sustainability of the City Council of Terrassa

This award represents above all the satisfaction by the recognition for a career, which now already we could define as long, strongly committed to renewable energy in our municipality. And that is granted by one of our star, such as biomass, is still even more satisfactory, as it once was a road started almost solo by our Corporation and for some it could be seen as something 'exotic'. The time has endorsed this decision and has proven to be a winning bet.

The City Council of Terrassa bet not only renewables but the diversification of these. The greater the diversification of the origin of renewables, the greater security of supply. In principle is it opted for solar thermal and subsequently by the photovoltaic. The biomass was therefore a logical step in the bid for the diversification of renewable energy sources.

An emphasis on biomass is an 'easy-to-sell' action. It is an energy of origin local and therefore not dependent on political and social vicissitudes of exporting countries. It impacts positively on climate change, since greenhouse gas balance is zero. It represents a significant improvement in forest management and significantly reduces the risk of forest fire. It is a great opportunity to generate net local employment. In addition, the type of work, and that this is done in open spaces, makes it especially suitable for people at risk of social exclusion.

The investment is usually high when compared with the investment made in more conventional energies. This is due mainly to the need to install silos to contain the biomass, which increases the costs in civil works. The total investment in ten facilities currently available is approximately 1,300,000 euros.

The strategy of the City Council of Terrassa concerning the mitigation of climate change, to increase the number of biomass boilers is one of the planned actions, is reflected in the Pla d'Acció d' sustainable Energies of Terrassa (PAES), which indicates that the number total biomass boilers installed by the year 2020 will be 16.

As mentioned previously, renewable energy sources by which the City Council of Terrassa opted initially are the solar thermal and photovoltaic solar. Terrassa produced its first thermal solar Ordinance in 2002, making it one of the Spanish cities pioneer in boost and normatively regulated this energy source. After the adoption of the Ordinance, and in a period of five years, he spent of 1,800 square metres of solar panels installed at more than 16,000. In regards to solar photovoltaic, Terrassa has 10 such facilities in buildings and municipal facilities, with a capacity of 66 kW/h. We are currently in the process of study of the potential energy that can provide the units minieólicas (small windmills to install in urban land), and despite the current economic situation we are trying to start this way with the sponsorship of companies of the sector and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), with campus in Terrassa.

Public administration and especially Local, must act as a guide and reference in the application, not only of renewable energy sources, but all kinds of policies involving an increase in savings and energy efficiency.

However, its success cannot depend on exclusively consumption by public administrations. It is the private sector which has to take the appropriate steps to universalize its use and make them really competitive against fossil energies.

Already for some time that the city of Terrassa promotes a plan for the promotion of local innovation. In doing so established a series of clusters of ecotechnology involving some of the major institutions and companies in Terrassa, with the support of other supra entities such as the Government through the Department of ACC1Ó or the Consell Comarcal del Vallès. One of these clusters, led by the service de Medi Ambient of the Ayntamiento of Terrassa, through its Local Agency for energy and climate change, and which includes among others the Terrassa Chamber, UPC, Leitat and a group of leading private companies in environmental issuesIt is precisely dedicated to the promotion of the use of the forest mass available in the region.

Actions such as these, the Ministry of science and innovation has just granted the distinction of 'City of science and innovation' to Terrassa.

Currently in phase of contracting of the external entity that will undertake the study, funded entirely by the Diputació de Barcelona, and is expected that started during this month of January, so it obviously still we cannot make any assessment. What if it is true is that there are several companies interested in studying the project, which would possibly develop in contract type ESCO (Energy Service Companies).

It's companies to finance projects of energy efficiency, cogeneration or use of renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass, etc.) in order to reduce operating costs and maintenance. They normally take the technical and economic risks associated with the project and charge a monthly fee for their services.