Green Electricity and Heat
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Engine power plants run on the full range of fuel types, from different biofuels to all types of gases, such as sewage gas and biogas. They are therefore a very useful technology to help Europe reach net-zero emissions while making best use of its resources. In the near future, our technology will be able to run on green hydrogen gained from excess renewable electricity. |
The H2ORIZON Project, funded by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) and the company ZEAG Energie AG, aims at developing knowledge of how green hydrogen can be linked to industrial consumers. The project uses green hydrogen from wind power in rocket test benches and in an engine power plant providing the test site with green heat and power.
(Image Source: ZEAG)
The sewage plant in Løgstør at the Danish Limfjord treates the wastewater of the 4,500 inhabitants of Løgstør as well as of the neighbouring animal food producer Farmfood. Two engines use the biogas that arises during the process of cleaning the water for the production of heat and electricity. While the heat warms up the biogas reactor, the electricity is entirely fed into the grid, helping the plan gain additional revenues.
(Image Source: EC Power)
A pig farmer from the region of Parma (Italy) has invested in two biogas engine power plants: the liquid manure produced by his pigs ferments with corn in a big green tank to produce biogas which powers the containerised cogeneration engine power plants. While the electricity generated is fed into the public grid, the heat produced is used to keep the pigsties warm in winter. (Image Source: MTU)
The wastewater treatment plant in Fribourg (Switzerland) uses gas engines to convert sewage gas into electricity. When no sewage is available, the engines can also run on natural gas.
(Image Source: Liebherr)
In 2010, farmer Detlef Petersen decided to invest in a biogas plant. Since then, with its 265 ha of land and 200 dairy cows, Bioenergie Fargau has produced 3.7 million kWh electricity and 3 million kWh heat a year using uses liquid manure and energy crops. While the electricity is injected into the grid, the heat is used to dry the digestion residue produced by the system, which in turn is used to produce a high-grade and sterile bedding material for the cow barn. The biogas plant has proven a useful and economically attractive supplement – a perfect success story.