Strategic analysis towards household heating sustainable transition

Defossilize household heating systems is a paramount target, where electricity and pellets are considered potential alternative sources. A multiscale techno-economic analysis is performed to select the best combination of electricity production and pellet manufacturing as well as the selection of raw materials. The lignocellulosic waste considered includes residues of pinewood, eucalyptus wood and corn stover. An MILP is formulated considering economic, social, and environmental objectives for substituting all the natural gas-powered boilers in the peninsular soil of Spain. It will require 18 thermal power stations and 3 pellet plants, whose consumption is up to the 12.2 % of lignocellulosic waste available, being necessary to invest 2173.5 M€. In consequence, the greenhouse emissions non-released will be 59.2 % of the ones using natural gas. In addition, the effect of using the Spanish Government budget and the NUTS 2 division ones is analysed, resulting that with fewer funding pellets replace a higher percentage of the potential demand. Finally, as corn stover utilization in the base case is up to 90 %, 4 scenarios are carried out (75, 50, 25 and 0 % of raw material exploitation) to evaluate how its reduction affects the facility location problem, involving more exploitation of pinewood resources.