BES Observatory

Study concludes that firewood consumption in Puerto Montt represents almost 3 million sticks per year

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:40:58 +0000

The research also reveals a decrease in firewood consumption in Puerto Montt houses, which reaches 1.5 sticks per house each year. This results from making technological improvements (more efficient heaters) and having houses with higher thermal insulation. The energy transition process observed in several Chilean cities is a further important factor. It involves moving from an anergy matrix based on firewood to a more diversified one, in which pellet, electricity and other fuels complement the use of firewood for heating and gain greater significance.

As of 2014, the number of houses using firewood declined due to a sharp rise in pellet consumption. This process is very clear in big cities such as Puerto Montt, but it is less evident in small and medium-sized cities such as Calbuco, Castro or Maullín. This is largely related to the policy to reduce pollution (replacement of heaters, educational campaigns, and restriction on firewood consumption) as well as greater purchasing power of families.

At a regional level, between 1992 and 2019 firewood consumption increased by 79% while the total amount of houses increased by 116% which shows an emerging disconnection between firewood demand and population growth. Likewise, there is a strong demand for species like tepú (Tepualia Stipularis), ulmo (Eucryphia Cordifolia), and luma (Amomyrtus Luma) which is causing forest degradation, especially in Los Muermos, Maullín, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Hualaihue, and Isla de Chiloé.

INFOR project reduced by 65% the energy demand in Valdivia’s houses

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:39:19 +0000

The pilot project carried out by the Instituto Forestal successfully came to an end and it improved life quality of families from two neighborhoods of Valdivia.

Click on the link below to read the full article www.australvaldivia.cl

Energy consumption in Chile: New figures and trends after the bill that recognizes firewood as fuel

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:35:40 +0000

A lecture will be given this Thursday, July 8 at 10am by Dr. René Reyes. He will talk about firewood consumption in Chile and its implications for the bill that intends to regulate firewood and solid biofuels in the country.

Click on the link below to attend the lecture: https://bit.ly/2TCdFD5

Firewood meets 85% of energy demand in the residential sector

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:34:13 +0000

As a result of the research carried out by the Instituto Forestal, the figure of firewood consumption in La Araucanía Region was updated. Thus, the team highlighted the importance of this fuel to satisfy the energy demand of the region.

Click on the link below for further information: www.australtemuco.cl

The full article is available here: https://www.biobiochile.cl/especial/aqui-tierra/noticias/2021/06/16/estudio-revela-que-el-85-de-hogares-en-la-araucania-sigue-usando-lena-para-calefaccion.shtml

Participatory meetings rounded off the INNOVA FOSIS project in Valdivia

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:31:56 +0000

The project provided training to the people of the community in energy efficiency concepts. It also trained them to implement structural improvements to their houses that will allow them to face the winter having better housing conditions and saving on heating costs.

The improvements involved the installation of thermal insulation in roofs and sealants in doors and windows. This was a process in which the community actively participated and applied in the field the concepts learnt in the training workshops.

The final stage of the pilot project included a monitoring and dissemination phase in which participatory meetings were held in the communities. The aim was to disseminate the project and its results among the neighbors, in order to encourage initiatives that emerge from the community.

It should be noted that the INFOR research team is currently working side by side with FOSIS, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning on the enlargement process of the pilot project. Thus, the learnings acquired from this pilot project will be incorporated to complement and improve the existing programs focused on the thermal insulation of houses.

Research shows an increased consumption of Eucalyptus firewood in Los Lagos region

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:30:15 +0000

In 1996, 100% of the firewood used in the city of Puerto Montt came from native forests. Out of this, 32% corresponded to ulmo (Eucryphia Cordifolia), 30% to brushwood (a mixture of native species), 19% to luma (Amomyrtus Luma), 16% to tepú (Tepualia Stipularis), and the remaining 3% to other species. In 2019, on the other hand, 69% of the firewood corresponded to native species and 31% to Eucalyptus (see Figure).

Moreover, in 1996, Fresia, Los Muernos, and Maullín were the main ulmo-producing areas. However, the area of native forests fell sharply. Likewise, most part of the tepú came from Calbuco, Maullín, Puerto Montt, and Puerto Vara and was produced as part of the clearcutting process carried out in ñadi soils (aquands). Today, the supply of this species comes from Hornopirén and from Chiloé, both areas where bad extractive practices still continue.

Firewood consumption by species in Puerto Montt (1996 and 2019)

At a regional level, it is observed that between 1992 and 2019 firewood consumption increased by 79% while the total amount of houses increased by 116%. This shows an emerging disconnection between firewood demand and population growth that can be partly explained by the progressive replacement of firewood by pellets, electricity and other fuels. All these have been gaining importance in a process of energy transition that tends to diversify the energy sources used in the houses of the region.

New partnerships regarding the pilot project of Mapa Térmico in Osorno and Coyhaique are set up

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:27:32 +0000

This collaborative work seeks to provide an enriching experience for students. Likewise, it intends to gather preliminary information about the neighborhoods with regard to the features of the houses, their inhabitants, and the patterns of energy use. Additionally, it would be the first step to manage larger scale projects, thus showing the importance of having data that enhance the thermal improvements of houses and support the implementation of public policies.

In Osorno, specific work is already being carried out in collaboration with INACAP, AIEP, and Universidad Los Lagos. Accordingly, the most relevant aspect is the necessary coordination to link the topics addressed by Mapa Térmico with the different subjects offered by the universities and the higher education centers. The work is beginning in Coyhaique, and it is expected to achieve the necessary coordination to develop a pilot project in that area.

They are mainly two work lines. The first one consists of jointly collecting on-site data from the neighborhoods to characterize energy consumption and the potential increase in energy efficiency of the houses. The second one focuses on the contribution made by students and their understanding to implement improvements or new tools on the platform.

“In the case of Osorno, we are working with a group of students from INACAP who is developing a mobile app of Mapa Térmico. Likewise, other research team from Universidad Los Lagos has data about pollution in Osorno, which could be incorporated into the app. Moreover, students from AIEP will support the collection of information conducting surveys and keeping records of the building typologies of the neighborhoods”, claimed Alejandra Schueftan, manager at INFOR Los Ríos.

Recognition of firewood as fuel: the key for its sustainable use

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:25:45 +0000

Mr. Fernando Raga Castellanos, executive director at the Instituto Forestal (INFOR), shared his opinion on the importance of the bill that regulates firewood and solid biofuels in Chile, which is currently being discussed in the Chilean Chamber of Deputies. “A two-meters-high and a one-meter-thick solid wall that would go around the Earth 24 times could be built with the firewood used every year for worldwide energy. In the Chilean case, the annual consumption of firewood corresponds to 12 million solid cubic meters. This would allow to build a similar wall, 40% longer than the entire national territory”, Mr. Raga claimed. “INFOR welcomes the discussion of this bill, since it is very important to make progress in the regulation of the quality of firewood and solid biofuels in general, so as to promote their sustainable use”, he added.

Click the link below to read the full article: https://www.elmostrador.cl/noticias/opinion/cartas/2021/04/29/regulacion-de-lena-y-biocombustibles-en-chile-clave-para-su-uso-sustentable/

INFOR carries out a study on the consumption of firewood and other solid biofuels in Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:23:34 +0000

The study is carried out through surveys conducted in areas going from La Junta, in the northern part of the region, to Villa O’Higgins, in Southern Patagonia (including the cities of Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén). This is the first time that surveys on this subject are taken in such remote areas as Caleta Tortel, Lago Verde, Puerto Guadal, and Melinka, among others. Thus, the findings of this study will provide a much clearer and more accurate understanding about the consumption patterns of firewood and other energy sources in the Aysén Region.

“In some places, such as Chile Chico and Caleta Tortel, people are quite reluctant to new energy sources. This, in spite of claiming that they would like to have access to fuels such as pellet, and to have a more stable energy supply, since electricity is frequently cut off”, said Dr. René Reyes, researcher at INFOR. “People have been very nice and they immediately agree to talk. Needless to say, they have a good management of their households’ expenses and energy consumption”, added the researcher.

What is the purpose?

The aim is to have a new estimate on the consumption of firewood and other solid biofuels in the Aysén Region so as to update the available figures. Likewise, the consumption of liquefied gas, kerosene and electricity is being measured, as well as the use of other energy sources such as pellets, solar energy, wind energy, among others. All this will allow to analyze energy transition processes.

This information will be very useful for the development and implementation of public policies aimed at addressing the main challenges associated with firewood consumption (urban air pollution and degradation of native forests) and energy consumption in general. Additionally, it would help to face the main barriers to advance towards a sustainable energy transition.

Specialists emphasize the need to make progress towards the efficient and sustainable energy use in Chile as part of the World Energy Efficiency Day

bes_f7xdjd — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:20:36 +0000

The manager of Instituto Forestal Los Ríos, Alejandra Schueftan, put emphasis on the National Energy Policy, which gives an outlook of the energy sector by 2050, and the Strategy for Residential Energy Transition. “This outlook responds to a systemic approach aimed at achieving and keeping the reliability of the entire energy system. Likewise, it complies with sustainability and inclusion criteria and contributes to the competitiveness of the country’s economy. However, challenges certainly remain. For instance, approving the Law on Solid Biofuels and the Law on District Energy would allow to advance in the technological development for a sustainable use of fuelwoods and more efficient heating systems”, she emphasized.

Alejandra Schueftan also pointed out that the pandemic may exacerbate the situation of energy poverty. “Spending more time at home increases firewood consumption, and, therefore, there is a higher exposure to pollutants. Firewood is used by all families, regardless their income levels. In fact, it is used in more than 90% of houses in most cities, especially in the south. Likewise, several studies indicate that spending long periods in cold and damp houses has a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health, and affects the respiratory system (which could intensify the effects of COVID-19)”, she said.

Click the link below to read the full article: https://www.uchile.cl/noticias/173326/expertos-destacan-la-necesidad-de-potenciar-la-eficiencia-energetica