Industrial Steam from Biomass
Industrial steam production via renewable sources or waste heat recovery
OUR VALUE
Steam as an engine
of the energy transition
The Green Steam service was created to transform the way industries produce thermal energy: from fossil gas consumption to regenerated, renewable steam. The technologies adopted-biomass boilers and heat recovery systems-enable medium-pressure steam generation (up to 10 bar) using existing natural resources and heat flows. Each project is custom developed, integrating with existing production lines and facilities so as to ensure business continuity and a significant reduction in overall thermal cost. Through the EPC - Guaranteed Saving formula, White Energy finances, builds and operates sustainable steam generation plants, guaranteeing:
- Continuous and stable steam production from renewable sources or recovered heat;
- economic savings and reduction of CO₂ emissions;
- Access to TEE - Energy Efficiency Credits;
- Comprehensive management, including maintenance and performance monitoring.
PARTNER
THE SERVICE.
Green Steam
The Green Steam service is a fully funded ESCo solution for the production of industrial steam from biomass.
Replaces traditional natural gas boilers with biomass plants or heat recovery systems capable of generating continuous and stable steam, ensuring economic savings and reduction of CO₂ emissions.
The intervention is designed, implemented and fully managed by White Energy in ESCo - EPC (Energy Performance Contract) mode, with no upfront costs for the client and with guaranteed economic returns, access to Energy Efficiency Certificates (TEE) and reduction of ETS2 costs.
How it works
The Green Steam system uses agro-industrial biomass (such as pomace, shells, or kernels) from existing industrial processes or power plants.
The thermal energy is converted into medium-pressure (6-10 bar) process steam, replacing fossil gas and ensuring continuity of production.
Through ESCo management, White Energy takes care of all phases-technical study, financing, construction, maintenance, and remote monitoring-offering a decarbonized steam supply that is guaranteed over time.
- Producing steam from renewable sources or recovered heat
- Reduce energy consumption and costs by up to 40%
- Cut CO₂ emissions and ETS2 costs.
- Access TEE and energy efficiency incentives.
- Improving the company's ESG profile with a CAPEX 0 intervention
SECTORS
To whom Green Steam is addressed
Food
We build Green Steam plants for agribusinesses with constant steam requirements for cooking, washing, sterilization and sanitization. In particular. distilleries and beverage industries. Biomass boilers replace natural gas-fired generators, providing process continuity, reduced energy costs, and lower CO₂ emissions.
Industrial Materials
We install Green Steam plants for paper mills and pulp industries, where steam is needed in the drying and finishing stages. Biomass boilers provide continuous and stable steam, improving energy efficiency and competitiveness of the production site.
Chemist
We provide Green Steam solutions for processes requiring steam at controlled temperature and pressure. Biomass plant ensures reliability, reduces direct emissions, and provides access to the Energy Efficiency Certificates (TEE).
Manufacturing
We implement Green Steam systems for industrial plants with high and constant thermal demand. Biomass boilers are designed for base-load operation, easily integrating with existing systems and ensuring OPEX and CO₂ reduction.
Agricultural
We propose Green Steam biomass systems for dryers, greenhouses and agricultural cooperatives. Modular and automated systems that enhance the value of plant waste local as fuel, generating steam for processing and preservation processes.
Textile
We design Green Steam plants for dyehouses and textile industries that need steam for finishing and drying. Replacing methane with biomass results in significant reductions in operating costs and emissions.
CASE STUDY.
Green Steam
The project | Distillery
Initial Situation:
A major distillery in northern Italy was using natural gas boilers to produce steam for distillation columns and plant washes.
The high consumption of natural gas was generating rising costs and a significant carbon footprint (over 6,000 tons/year of CO₂ Scope 1).
Intervention:
Green Steam plant based on a 5.5 MWt biomass boiler fueled by pomace and hazelnuts from the production process and local agricultural suppliers.
The plant produces saturated steam at 10 bar to feed the distillation lines, ensuring complete substitution of methane.
The project was developed in ESCo - EPC mode, with investment fully borne by White Energy, which also takes care of the operation, maintenance and supply of certified biomass.
Achievements:
- Reduction in gas consumption: -100 % (total coverage from biomass)
- CO₂ avoided: over 5,800 t/year
- TEE recognized: for 10 years, shared with the customer
- EPC contract term: 12 years
- Estimated economic savings: over 1.6 M€/year
The Project | Food Industry (Vegetable Preserves)
Initial situation:
A major vegetable canning company in central Italy was using natural gas boilers to generate steam for sterilization, cooking and container washing processes.
The high consumption of natural gas was heavily affecting production costs and Scope 1 emissions.
The Intervention:
White Energy built a Green Steam plant with a 6 MWt biomass boiler, fueled by wood chips and vegetable pomace from local agricultural suppliers.
The system produces saturated steam at 10 bar, providing base-load coverage of thermal demand and significantly reducing fossil gas requirements.
The project was developed under an ESCo - EPC formula, with investment, maintenance, and operation fully borne by White Energy, which ensures contractual performance and continuity of supply.
Achievements:
- Reduced gas consumption: -90 %.<°/b>
- CO₂ avoided: ≈ 4,800 t/yr.
- Estimated economic savings: ≈ € 1.2 M/year
- EPC contract term: 12 years
- TEE recognized for 10 years, shared with the customer
0 € (charged to White Energy)
Frequently asked questions
Do you have doubts? Here are the most useful answers about the Green Steam service:
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In what cases is it worth installing a Green Steam system?
Green Steam is ideal for production sites with constant demand for steam (distilleries, paper mills, food, chemical, manufacturing). It pays off especially where the cost of gas and CO₂ is high and the focus is on decarbonizing processes while maintaining continuity of production. The ESCo model allows the plant to be built without initial investment, paying only for the steam produced.
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What kind of biomass is used?
We use local agro-industrial biomass-such as pomace, shells, hazelnuts, prunings, wood chips or agricultural waste-from certified supply chains. Each project assesses spatial availability and fuel quality to ensure stable, sustainable supply with predictable energy costs.
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How does White Energy's ESCo model work?
White Energy handles all phases of the project: technical study, financing, construction, operation and maintenance. Customers do not incur initial CAPEX: they pay a fee or charge tied to the actual steam delivered, with contractually guaranteed energy savings and performance.
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Is it possible to obtain incentives or white certificates (TEE)?
Yes. Green Steam plants fall under the incentive mechanisms for energy efficiency. White Energy manages the TEE file and the valuation of avoided CO₂ emissions on behalf of the client, maximizing the economic return of the project.