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 the best use of its resources.
Green Hydrogen Powering Cogeneration Plants and Rockets
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.
Weinheim Wastewater Treatment Plant
Every day, the Weinheim wastewater treatment plant cleans the wastewater from some 170,000 people in 7 municipalities in Southwest Germany. The plant’s fermentation tanks generate around 2,4 million m3 of fermentation gas per year. The gas is used to operate two cogeneration systems, that provide electricity and heat, covering and even exceeding the plant’s annual energy consumption.
Biogas: From Parma Pigs’ Manure to Green Electricity
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.
Bioenergie Fargau GmbH & Co
When, in 2010, milk prices were under pressure, this farmer in the North of Germany decided to install a biogas plant. With its 265 ha of land and 200 dairy cows, the farm uses liquid manure and energy crops to produce 3.7 million kWh electricity and a 3 million kWh heat a year.
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.