The project is being developed over 18 months, from November 2022, at the Research Center for Protein Plants and Bionatural Products and consists of transforming residual woody biomass from moringa prunings, a very abundant plant in this country, to produce pellets that will be used as fuel in drying facilities for agri-food products such as moringa leaves or tobacco and in the milk pasteurization process.
The goal is to modernize these sectors and achieve energy self-sufficiency by eliminating current diesel and electricity consumption.
In parallel, activities are planned to ensure the proper functioning of the facilities, such as the construction of an experimental pelletizing and combustion plant in Cubaenergia that will serve as a test bench and contribute to the training of specialized personnel and to analyze the replicability of the project.
Moringa is a tree native to India that is cultivated in warm areas and from which practically all parts can be used: bark, pods, seeds, roots and flowers.
The project has a duration of 18 months and a budget of €507,400. It is led by the University of Zaragoza through CIRCE (an AVEBIOM associate), has other Spanish partners such as SODePAZ and Quintin Curved SL (an associate of AVEBIOM), and a Cuban partner, Cubasolar.
Sources
https://peletizadoras.net/blog/ecofricalia-instalara-la-primera-planta-de-peletizacion-en-cuba/