ENERGY BALANCE SHEET FOR WALLONIA, 2005

RENEWABLE ENERGY, 2005

October 2006

Produced on behalf of the Directorate-General for Technology, Research and Energy

of the Ministry of the Walloon Region

INSTITUT DE CONSEIL ET D'ETUDES EN DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE ASBL

Boulevard Frère Orban 4, 5000 NAMUR

Tel. +32 812 50480 - Fax +32 812 50490 - E-mail:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

1.1 Projects for 2010 in Wallonia

2. Balance sheet excluding biomass

2.1 Hydroelectricity

2.1.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.1.2 Small-scale hydro schemes in Europe

2.2 Wind power

2.2.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.2.2 Wind power in Europe

2.3 Electricity from solar power

2.3.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.3.2 Solar power generation in Europe

2.4 Solar-powered heating

2.4.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.4.2 Solar-powered heating in Europe

2.5 Geothermal energy

2.5.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.5.2 Geothermal energy in Europe

2.6 Heat pumps

2.6.1 Situation in the Walloon region

2.6.2 Situation in Europe

2.7 Total excluding biomass

3. Balance sheet for biomass

3.1 Incineration of household waste

3.1.1 Situation in the Walloon region

3.2 Wood-burning for heating purposes

3.3 Combustion of animal and vegetable by-products

3.3.1 Situation in the Walloon region

3.3.2 Wood-fired energy production in Europe

3.4 Anaerobic fermentation

3.4.1 Fermentation of sewage sludge

3.4.2 Fermentation of agricultural effluent

3.4.3 Fermentation of industrial effluent

3.4.4 Recovery of gas from waste-disposal sites

3.4.5 Biodigestion of organic household waste

3.4.6 Biomethanisation scoreboard

3.4.7 Projects for the future in the Walloon region

3.4.8 Biogas in Europe

3.5 Biofuels

3.5.1 Biofuels for transport

3.5.2 Other liquid biofuels

3.6 Total energy generated from biomass

4. General summary

4.1 Primary production

4.2 Electricity output

4.3 Heat output

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Output of hydropower schemes by rating class in Wallonia, 2005

Table 2 – Rating and output of hydroelectric installations by subwatersheds, 2005

Table 3 – Net output of hydroelectric schemes and precipitation levels, 1990 to 2005

Table 4 – Output of Belgian hydroelectric installations by region in 2005

Table 5 – Capacity of small-scale hydro plants (less than 10 megawatts’ generating capacity) in the European Union (in MW, 2000 to 2004)

Table 6 – Electricity output and power rating of wind turbines in Belgium by region, 2005

Table 7 – Total rating of wind turbines installed in the EU in megawatts, 2000 to 2004

Table 8 – Potential and output of photovoltaic solar panels in the Walloon region in 2005

Table 9 – Output of solar heating panels in Wallonia in 2005

Table 10 – Cumulative surface area of solar-heating collectors in the European Union (in square metres)

Table 11 – Geothermal energy in Wallonia, 2005

Table 12 – Low-temperature geothermal energy situation (excluding heat pumps) in the European Union

Table 13 – Energy produced by heat pumps in Wallonia, 2005

Table 14 – Energy produced by heat pumps in Wallonia, 2005

Table 15 – Production of primary energy and net energy output from renewables other than biomass in Wallonia, 2005

Table 17 – Production of energy from the incineration of household waste in Wallonia, 2005

Table 18 – Household fuelwood consumption in Wallonia, 2005

Table 19 – Statistics for sales of wood-pellet boilers and stoves in Wallonia, 2005

Table 20 – Energy output generated by means of animal and vegetable by-products in Wallonia, 2005

Table 21 – Development of the consumption of primary energy generated with the aid of aniomal and vegetable by-products in the Walloon region, 1993-2005

Table 22 – Output of energy from the methanisation of sludge from sewage-treatment plants, 2005

Table 23 – Use of energy recovered from sludge at sewage-treatment plants

Table 24 – Development of the use of energy from primary production at sewage-treatment plants in Wallonia, 1993-2005

Table 25 – Energy output from biomethanisation of effluent from animal husbandry in Wallonia, 2005

Table 26 – Development of primary production of effluent from animal husbandry in Wallonia, 1999-2005

Table 27 – Output of primary energy from biomethanisation in the industrial sector, 2005

Table 28 – Development of primary production of methanised organic waste in the industrial sector in Wallonia, 1993-2005

Table 29 – Characteristics of waste-disposal sites and installations with gas-recovery capacity in Wallonia

Table 30 – Energy output generated with gas recovered from waste-disposal sites in Wallonia, 2005

Table 31 – Development of energy production using gas recovered from waste-disposal sites in Wallonia, 1996- 2005

Table 32 – Production of energy from biomethanised organic waste in Wallonia, 2005

Table 33 – Production of energy by means of biomethanisation in 2005

Table 34 – Development of energy production by means of biomethanisation in Wallonia, 1993-2005

Table 35 – Gross output of biogas in the European Union in kilotonnes of oil equivalent, 2002-2004

Table 36 – Summary of energy generation from biomass in Wallonia, 2005

Table 37 – Summary of electrical and thermal energy cogenerated from biomass in Wallonia, 2005

Table 38 – Renewables balance sheet for Wallonia, 2005 (in ktoe)

Table 39 – Renewables balance sheet for Wallonia, 2005 (in GWh)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 – Rating and output of hydroelectric schemes in Wallonia, 2005

Figure 2 – Trends in net output of hydroelectric schemes and precipitation levels, 1990 to 2005 (expressed in indices; 1993 = 100)

Figure 3 – Hydroelectricity output trends and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 to 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 4 – Trends in gross output, installed rating and number of wind turbines in Wallonia from 1997 to 2005.

Figure 5 – Trends in the use of wind power for electricity generation and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management (PMDE) for 2005 and 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 6 – Development of total hours of sunshine at Uccle meteorological station and of heat output (1993=100)

Figure 7 – Growth in panel areas subsidised by the Walloon Region and installed (according to Belsolar data) since 1998

Figure 8 – Growth in the surface area and output of installed solar heating panels and targets set in the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management (PMDE) for 2005 and 2010

Figure 9 – Development of geothermal energy production in Wallonia (1993 = 100)

Figure 10 – Development of geothermal heat output and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 and 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 11 – Distribution of primary energy from renewable sources other than biomass in Wallonia, 2005

Figure 12 – Trends in gross electricity output of incinerators in the Walloon region (in GWh)

Figure 13 – Development of heat output from wood (logs and waste products) and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 and 2010 (in TWh)

Figure 14 – Development of electricity output from wood and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 and 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 15 – Development of the number and primary production of waste-disposal sites in Wallonia, 1996-2005

Figure 16 – Development of heat output from biogas and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 and 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 17 – Development of net electricity output from biogas and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 and 2010 (in GWh)

Figure 18 – Distribution by source of all energy generated from biomass in Wallonia, 2005

Figure 19 – Contribution of the various renewable energy sources to total production of renewable primary energy in Wallonia, 2005

Figure 20 – Development of the contribution of the various renewable energy sources to total production of renewable primary energy in Wallonia, 1991-2005

Figure 21 – Development of the contribution of green electricity to total electricity consumption in Wallonia, 1998-2005

Figure 22 – Recorded trend in the contribution of electricity from renewable sources (excluding incineration) to electricity consumption in Wallonia and targets set in the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management, 1998-2010

Figure 23 – Development of the contribution of various renewable energy sources (excluding incineration) to the total net output of electricity in Wallonia, 1993-2005

Figure 24 – Comparison of the contributions of the various renewable energy sources (excluding incineration) to net electricity output in Wallonia in 1993 and 2005

Figure 25 – Recorded trend in the contribution of heat from renewable sources (excluding incineration) to heat consumption in Wallonia and targets set in the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management, 2000-2010

Figure 26 – Development of the contribution of various renewable energy sources to the total net output of useful heat in Wallonia, 1993-2005

Figure 27 – Development of the output of useful heat by renewable source in relation to 1993 values (1993=100)

Figure 28 – Comparison of the contributions of the various renewable energy sources to the generation of useful heat in Wallonia in 1993 and 2005

1. Introduction

This interim report provides a review of the available data on renewable sources of energy in Wallonia in 2005. It has been drawn up in the form of a regional energy balance sheet on behalf of the Directorate-General for Technology, Research and Energy.

This review has been compiled on the basis of statistical data published by the Walloon Energy Commission (CWaPE) and a survey of players in the field of renewable energy, particularly renewables facilitators inthe region, and with the aid of estimates. It should also be noted that, in cases where no information was available for 2005, the most recent annual data available were used in respect of installations that were still operational in 2005.

For each renewable source of energy, we have presented our findings in the following manner:

1. The situation in the Walloon region

(a) Presentation of data for 2005

(b) Trends (based on available data from previous years)

(c) Regional projects for the future (where data are available)

2. The situation in Europe (where data are available)

- the place of Belgium and Wallonia

- prospects for 2010 (White Paper)

It is not possible to compare Wallonia with Belgium for all energy sources, since the Belgian energy balance sheet has not yet been published.

The situation in Europe is taken from the European Barometer data which were published by EurObserv’ER in its Systèmes solaires magazine and which relate primarily to the situation in 2004. The Barometer for 2005 has not yet appeared.

Depending on the publication source (Eurostat, International Energy Agency (IEA), Plan for Sustainable Energy Management (PMDE), etc.), energy units are expressed in thousands of tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe), gigajoules (GJ) or gigawatt-hours (GWh). Wherever possible, we have tried to give data in these diverse units at the risk of complicating the presentation of tables. We apologise for this inconvenience, but it serves to facilitate rapid comparisons between data from different publications.

1.1 Projects for 2010 in Wallonia

The Plan for Sustainable Energy Management in Wallonia for 2010, launched by the Minister of Climate and Energy and formally endorsed by the Walloon Government in December 2003, presents a progress report, highlights the challenges and proposes a raft of initiatives.

The plan sets quantified targets for the various categories of energy consumed and the various energy networks and outlines a series of measures to be implemented in pursuit of those targets. The plan is designed to achieve a decrease in final energy consumption ofthe order of 6%, while it is estimated that an unchanged policy would result in a 2.4% increase.

In terms of CO2 emissions from energy consumption alone, a significant contribution to the achievement of the Kyoto target is expected. Two thirds of the reduction would be attributable to rational energy use, and one third would come from the use of energy from renewable sources and cogeneration (20% and 13% respectively).

Lastly, the plan assesses the economic implications, concluding that between 600 and 2400 jobs are likely to be created.

One of the main measures designed to achieve the target for the use of renewables in electricity production has been the establishment of a ‘green certificates’ scheme, whereby producers of green electricity are awarded certificates on the basis of the reductions in CO2 emissions they achieve, and network suppliers and operators are required to achieve a minimum ratio of green certificates gained to electricity sold.

Interested readers can order or download this plan by visiting the following website:

Details of the arrangements for awarding green certificates can also be consulted in the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management (PMDE) and also on the website of the Walloon Energy Commission at

In this report we shall reproduce the quantifiedtargets for each type of renewable energy and provide a general summary at the end of the document.

2. Balance sheet excluding biomass

The following paragraphs provide detailed production data for all renewable energy sources except biomass.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

EXCLUDING BIOMASS

HYDROELECTRICITY

WIND POWER

SOLAR POWER

GEOTHERMAL SOURCES

HEAT PUMPS

BIOMASS

Of the renewables other than biomass, some produce only electricity, such as hydroelectric schemes in the form of run-of-the-river plants, wind power (the tall wind turbines that are usually grouped into wind farms) and solar power (solar panels installed in roofs or on walls or at ground level in the form of photovoltaic fields).

The others mainly produce heat, which is used to feed central-heating systems or provide domestic hot water. These are solar heating (solar roof panels connected to a boiler), geothermal power, which involves the collection of heat from deep underground, and heat pumps, which exploit temperature differences between two sources such as soil, air or water.

Since offshore wind power is not yet operational in Belgium, no output has been allocated to the Walloon region.

2.1 Hydroelectricity

2.1.1 Situation in the Walloon region

(a) The situation in 2005

A total of 51 hydroelectric power plantsconnected to the power grid were registered in Wallonia in 2005. Their gross output for that year amounted to 286 GWh, and their total net output was 280GWh.

The following table shows electricity output for each class of installed rating.

Power rating / Number of installations / Total installed rating (in MW) / Gross output (in GWh) / Net output (in GWh)
More than 10 MW / 3 / 50.6 / 116.3 / 114.0
1 to 10 MW / 11 / 50.7 / 153.6 / 150.7
Less than 1 MW / 37 / 7.0 / 16.0 / 15.5
Total / 51 / 108.3 / 285.9 / 280.2

Table 1: Output of hydropower power plantsby rating class in Wallonia, 2005

The share of electricity output for each rating class is a fairly accurate reflection of the total rating installed in each class. The three hydroelectric power plantswith ratings in excess of 10MW accounted for a little more than 40% of total output in 2005.

Figure 1 – Rating and output of hydroelectric power plantsin Wallonia, 2005

Output data can also be broken down into individual catchment areas and sub-areas.

Catchment area / Sub-area / Number / Rating
(in MW) / Gross output
(in GWh) / Net output
(in GWh)
Meuse / Amblève / 12 / 20.7 / 64.1 / 62.9
Meuse / Vesdre / 9 / 3.1 / 11.1 / 10.7
Meuse / Lesse / 8 / 0.7 / 2.2 / 2.2
Meuse / Lower Meuse / 7 / 74.3 / 194.9 / 191.1
Meuse / Sambre / 4 / 3.5 / 1.7 / 1.7
Meuse / Ourthe / 4 / 1.5 / 3.6 / 3.6
Meuse / Semois-Chiers / 4 / 2.1 / 5.5 / 5.4
Escaut / Senne / 1 / 2.4 / 2.2 / 2.1
Dyle-Jette / Dyle-Jette / 1 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0
Rhine / Moselle / 1 / 0.2 / 0.6 / 0.5
Total / 51 / 108.3 / 285.9 / 280.2

Table 2 – Rating and output of hydroelectric power plantsby sub-areas, 2005

(b) Trend

The level of output achieved in 2005 is 9% lower than the previous year’s figure. This may be explained by the volume of water collected (751 mm, compared with 914 mm in 2004, which represents an 18% decrease) rather than the number of days of precipitation in Belgium, which increased by 1% from 198 days in 2004 to 200 days in 2005.

Year / Net output (in GWh) / Index
(1993 =100) / Days of precipitation / Precipitation in mm
1990 / 263.1 / 105 / 178 / 759.4
1991 / 226.1 / 90 / 165 / 816.7
1992 / 337.8 / 135 / 181 / 916.5
1993 / 251.0 / 100 / 192 / 856.7
1994 / 343.0 / 137 / 212 / 895.1
1995 / 333.4 / 133 / 180 / 763.4
1996 / 234.3 / 93 / 164 / 744.6
1997 / 301.5 / 120 / 163 / 698.4
1998 / 384.3 / 153 / 214 / 948.0
1999 / 337.4 / 134 / 213 / 886.0
2000 / 454.1 / 181 / 224 / 852.2
2001 / 433.6 / 173 / 201 / 1 088.5
2002 / 353.1 / 141 / 196 / 1 077.8
2003 / 240.5 / 96 / 157 / 670.7
2004 / 308.0 / 123 / 198 / 913.7
2005 / 280.2 / 112 / 200 / 751.1

Table 3 – Net output of hydroelectric power plantsand precipitation levels, 1990 to 2005

Hydropower output has fallen every year since 2000, with the exception of 2004, but it must be recognised that output was exceptionally high in the year 2000, one reason being a concerted effort to maximise production. The average annual output since 1990 has been less than 320GWh.

Figure 2 – Trends in net output of hydroelectric schemes and precipitation levels,[1] 1990 to 2005 (1993 = 100)

Sources: FPE, CWaPE and IRM

(c) Projects for the future in the Walloon region

The Plan for Sustainable Energy Management sets the target output from Wallonia’s hydroelectric power plantsat 395 GWh for 2005 and 440 GWh for 2010.

The graph below reviews hydroelectricity output since 1960 in the light of the targets set in the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management. As the graph shows, the targets for 2005 and 2010 aretechnically achievablewith existing plants (see 2000 and 2001), but in practice they are not being attained.

Figure 3 – Hydroelectricity output trends and targets of the Plan for Sustainable Energy Management for 2005 to 2010 (in GWh)

Sources: FPE - CWaPE - Plan for Sustainable Energy Management (December 2003)

More information may be obtained from the Hydroenergy Facilitator for the Walloon Region:

E-mail:

Website:

(d) The Walloon region in relation to the whole of Belgium

Virtually all of Belgium’s hydroelectricity output (99%) is generated in the Walloon region.

Region / Number of installations / Rating installed (in MW) / Gross output (in GWh) / Net output (in GWh)
Wallonia / 51 / 116.1 / 285.9 / 280.2
Brussels / 0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0
Flanders / 8 / 0.9 / 2.3 / 2.3
Total / 59 / 117 / 288.2 / 282.5

Table 4 – Output of Belgian hydroelectric installations by region in 2005

Sources: CWaPE - ANRE

2.1.2 Small-scale hydro schemes in Europe

Since the publication with the 2005 data on small hydro schemes is not yet available, we shall focus on the information that was reported for 2004.

According to EurObserv’ER, the total generating capacity of small-scale hydro schemes, i.e. those with a capacity of less than 10 megawatts, installed in the European Union was estimated at 10828 MW at the end of 2004. In other words, the initial target of 12500megawatts set by the European Commission in its White Paper has not been met. If we make a projection based on the average annual growth rate for hydropower in Europe in recent years, we arrive at 13140MW by the end of 2010, which falls short of the Commission’s expectation of 14000MW.

Country / 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004
Italy / 2 229 / 2 270 / 2 233 / 2 330 / 2360
France / 2 018 / 2 020 / 2 020 / 2 020 / 2021
Spain / 1 573 / 1 607 / 1 655 / 1 722 / 1750
Germany / 1 514 / 1 515 / 1 610 / 1 630 / 1565
Sweden / 1 062 / 1 050 / 1 050 / 1 050 / 1105
Austria / 866 / 870 / 980 / 1 001 / 950
Finland / 320 / 320 / 320 / 327 / 370
Portugal / 286 / 308 / 289 / 301 / 320
United Kingdom / 162 / 160 / 160 / 160 / 162.3
Belgium / 60 / 61 / 61 / 61 / 64
of which Wallonia / 59 / 59 / 58 / 58 / 55
Greece / 50 / 52 / 61 / 65 / 70
Luxembourg / 39 / 39 / 39 / 21 / 40
Ireland / 33 / 34 / 34 / 34 / 38.1
Denmark / 11 / 11 / 11 / 11 / 11
Netherlands / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2
Total EU 15 / 10 225 / 10 319 / 10 458 / 10 734 / 10828.4
10 new Member States / 694 / 769
Total EU 25 / 11 358 / 11 698

Table 5 – Capacity of small-scale hydro plants (less than 10 megawatts of generating capacity) in the European Union (in MW, 2000 to 2004)

Source: EurObserv’ER, European Barometer, 2005 (data for Wallonia from the ICEDD).

2.2 Wind power

2.2.1 Situation in the Walloon region

(a) The situation in 2005

The total rating of the large wind turbines that were feeding the power grid by the end of 2005 amounted to 49 megawatts, with 18 new turbines having been commissioned since the previous year. In terms of gross output, the turbines generated 72.2 GWh – a net output of 71.1 GWh – in 2005.

In addition, 24 small turbines – an increase of one – that are not connected to the power grid have been recorded by bodies such as the Compagnons d'Eole in Wallonia. Their power ratings range from 2.5 to 40 kW, and their total rating amounts to about 260 kW. Their aggregate annual electricity output is estimated at 0.15 GWh.