Use of biomass

In order to create a sustainable system, we care not only for the aquatic warbler, but also to create favorable conditions for farmers. With this project, we want to solve the problem of farmers – the utilization of the late grass biomass (grass). This problem is faced by farmers who want to protect the juveniles of the Aquatic Warbler, and therefore delay mowing (even until 15 August) and can not use the grass for animal feeding anymore. In the last project, “The Baltic Aquatic warbler” we have achieved that farmers who are adapting their activities according the requirements of Aquatic warbler conservation, would get compensation for the financial losses. In this project, we opened a biomass processing facility in Dreverna that can collect and process late-cut grass into a useful product such as pellets for fuel or animal bedding. During the prolongation of the project, we are exploring the possibilities of using late mowed grass in the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve for heating in the nearby heating facility in Simnas.

Biomass processing facility in Dreverna “Nine voices”

During the project, an abandoned farm in Dreverna was repaired and a biomass processing facility “Nine voices” was created. At the facility, different types of pellets are produced from the grass cut in the Aquatic Warbler habitats. The main product is bedding for horses and other animals, but pellets for fuel are also produced. Farmers who are protecting Aquatic warblers can sell their properly prepared biomass to the facility.

More about the facility

Use of biomass in heating facilities

During the prolongation of the project, it is intended to conduct a study on how the biomass collected in the Aquatic warbler habitats could be efficiently used in municipal boilers and thus replace other types of fuel. The unwanted vegetation mowed in the swamps is not much different in terms of calories from wood pellets, so the use of this biofuel can help to save money of citizens. The only inconvenience of using this kind of biofuel is the amount of ash, which is biger than usual for solid fuel, and boiler adaptation. A more environmentally friendly method of heat production is to be tested in the Simnas heating facility, which is located near the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve. It is believed that biomass cfrom the Reserve could make up to 30 percent of all fuel used in this facility. According to preliminary calculations, the cut vegetation in the swamps of the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve would be enough to fully supply the needs of the town’s heating facility.