CO2-neutral natural gas: The world's largest bio-gas plant feeds gas into the German natural gas network

(01.06.2010) Together with some 30 farmers from the area surrounding the 8000-resident town of Könnern, the plant will produce some 30 million cubic meters of raw bio-gas per year. Some 15 million cubic meters of bio-methane can be produced in the bio-gas park between the cities of Halle and Magdeburg. The facility will ferment just over 120,000 tons of substrate annually. "The construction permit signals the beginning of the most ambitious project to date in our company's history," emphasized Jens Albartus, the company CEO. The substrates will consist mainly of renewable resources, such as feed corn, whole-plant ensilage (wheat and rye), as well as liquid cow and pig manure, alfalfa, and Sudan grass.

Usually, bio-gas is used immediately in a cogeneration plant to produce heat and electricity. However, the heat produced can only be used effectively if a consumer is available nearby. Potential consumers might be public swimming pools, schools, or greenhouses. Thus, heat delivery is a decisive factor in the economic feasibility of a bio-gas plant. However, such considerations are of secondary importance if the bio-gas is refined into methane, as it will be in the community of Könnern's future bio-gas park. The bio-methane will be fed directly into the German natural gas network, allowing it to be delivered to the location where it will be consumed. This system generally allows for more efficient use concepts. Furthermore, this use - unlike wind and solar energy - allows for a completely uninterrupted and consistent energy supply to consumers. The bio-methane recovery concept is CO2-neutral. The plant is expected to go into operation before the end of 2009, following what for this sized project is an amazingly quick 9-month construction period. "Our experience building some 200 bio-gas plants so far all over the world put us in a good position to complete this challenge," Jens Albartus said. "Since we are the only producer of stainless steel bio-gas plants that builds and installs the plants ourselves, we are ready at any time to install bio-gas plants quickly and effectively at any location in the world."

Author: Thomas Wilkens, Weltec Biopower GmbH, Vechta (Germany)

www.weltec-biopower.de
Foto: Weltec

 

 

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