Learn about the story of farmer Joan Torra, whose loaders and stackers contribute to generating electricity
Straw is often underestimated as a mere byproduct of a harvest focused on higher-value market products. However, it has surprising applications beyond animal feed, reconnecting us with nature and the environment. Did you know, for example, that straw can generate clean, 100% renewable energy? In Briviesca, a small town in the province of Burgos in northern Spain—known for its rich agricultural tradition—there’s a prime example of this ecological innovation.
Since 2010, Acciona Energía, a global leader in sustainable solutions, has operated a biomass plant in Briviesca, capable of generating up to 16 MW of electricity, enough to power around 40,000 homes. With a strong commitment to fighting climate change, Acciona also supports rural development by promoting activities that help keep populations stable in what’s often called “emptied Spain”—regions experiencing significant depopulation as people migrate to cities.
It is in the heart of this sparsely populated area that Joan Torra, an agricultural services provider from Catalonia, works with Acciona to manage straw for the biomass plant. Every summer, Joan and his team clear fields of straw around Briviesca, which some consider the “mecca of the straw world.”
To accomplish this task, Joan relies on Arcusin trailers, using four AutoStack FSX bale loaders and stackers that allow him to maximize efficiency in the field. A loyal Arcusin customer for over 30 years, Joan emphasizes that, with harvest seasons becoming shorter and more demanding, equipment reliability is essential to avoid any setbacks. “Relying on a bale loader and stacker like the AutoStack is key. It lets us work at an exceptional pace without wasting a single minute,” he says.
In his operation, the four AutoStacks work almost in tandem with the balers, which gather the straw into bundles that are immediately collected, keeping them from being exposed to rain. “With the AutoStack, we achieve outstanding efficiency. There’s no other solution for this work than an Arcusin. Without the trailer, it would be unfeasible, impossible. It’s a different way of working. It’s about achieving ten times more with just one person,” he assures.
Additionally, Joan and his team stack the bales in places accessible to trucks, allowing a year-round supply for the biomass plant and keeping the burner constantly operational. “Unlike wind turbines, this plant produces electricity 365 days a year and always at the same power level. And it’s ultra-ecological, because all the ash generated is filtered,” he proudly explains. “I’m almost the start of this chain,” he concludes with satisfaction.
An essential machine… and then some
Joan Torra couldn’t be more satisfied with his AutoStack FSX. To learn about his experience with Arcusin, be sure to watch his testimonial video.
