High-tech stoves and fireplaces will be on display at Progetto Fuoco, the leading international biennial exhibition of technology for the use of alternative and renewable energy sources, such as wood and wood products.
From 19 to 23 February 2014, Verona will once again play host to Progetto Fuoco, the leading international exhibition in its field and the number one showcase for the innovative abilities of companies that have combined stylish designs and technological development in their stoves and fireplaces. As well as fitting in perfectly in any architectural setting, their high performance products are environmentally friendly and easy to install and use. They also benefit from a range of incentives for renewable heat energy production and energy efficiency measures which cover the biomass sector.
At the exhibition in Verona, there will be an array of the latest offerings in the field of biomass-fired heating, such as stoves and fireplaces that run on wood, pellets and other types of natural fuel. The selection is so broad and varied that it cannot fail to cater perfectly to everyone’s needs. There are compact, contemporary and tough-looking solutions, all of which come with technology with customizable management systems to satisfy individual requirements. It is now possible to buy small stoves to suit the average size of modern homes. The only building work that needs to be done is making openings for the chimney flue and air intake. It is often a good idea to choose a pellet-fired model, as this type of fuel is easier to store and makes the systems more efficient to run, thus reducing their environmental impact.
People with more space at their disposal can choose the most aesthetically pleasing fireplaces: designer products that help to establish the style of a home. It is also possible to programme all of the systems, even from far away thanks to SMS-based remote control systems. In addition, a number of rooms can be heated by installing air ducts or connecting the water heating with the radiators.
In addition to overhauling the forms and functions of their products, the companies in the field have taken a close, analytical look at the wide range of possibilities for the outer materials. For urban dwellings in particular, there are compact fireplaces with simple, angular surrounds made of materials such as majolica or stone. Stoves less than a foot deep can stand flush against walls and almost completely blend in with the furniture. In addition to more traditional materials, a wide range of finishes are available, with everything from metal and glass to marble and bamboo. Some products have mirror glass in the door so that the inside is only visible when the fire is burning. There are plenty of solutions that allow systems to be located in spaces and rooms where it does not seem possible, utilizing old chimney flues that are already in place. Old cast iron stoves have also made a comeback for fans of the style. They have fresh designs, run on pellets and boast the same cutting-edge features as the high-tech models.
The blend of technology and design is helping to attract more and more interest from other countries. In addition to the usual professional members of the trade, designers, technicians and entrepreneurs from all over Europe and beyond, in 2014 Progetto Fuoco will also welcome representatives from Japan, China and the USA, which have all shown great interest in the exhibition. There is growing awareness of the possibilities presented by alternative energy in these countries. There will also be numerous end consumers looking into the opportunities offered by the use of wood and wood products as renewable, clean and inexpensive fuels.
There will be more than 500 exhibitors at Progetto Fuoco. A special extraction system will be operating in no fewer than four pavilions, allowing 250 working fireplaces and stoves to be displayed.
Another two pavilions at the exhibition centre will be home to the PF TECHNOLOGIES area, which aims to develop the market in the wood and energy supply chain. It has been created by AIEL, a technical partner of the international Progetto Fuoco exhibition.
The 2014 edition of Progetto Fuoco will also take a close look at the technological development of the sector in conventions, seminars and workshops organized by the Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF) Department at the University of Padua, the Italian Association of Stove Setters and Chimney Sweeps (ANFUS), the Italian Association of Majolica Stove Manufacturers (ASSOCOSMA) and the leading experts in the field.
Foto: Palazzetti
