Lünen is the first City in the world to build and manage a biogas network

(01/06/2009)

The future of power is being pioneered in the German city of Lünen where they are building a dedicated biogas network. Powered by agricultural waste, including cow dung and horse manure, 90,000 residents will benefit from this low cost alternative to oil, coal and Russian gas.

Lünen is the first City in the world to build and manage a biogas network. This sustainable technology allows local production of local power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, fuel imports and international pressures. As well as energy security, this new technology brings low cost heat and electricity and new jobs to Lünen.

Fed by local farms, who deliver animal waste, as well as corn, wheat and grass the power plant is located in the industrial port next to the river. This feedstock is turned into biogas in anaerobic digesters. Looking like giant cup cakes, the plant produces 6.8MW, enough energy to supply 26,000 houses with heat and electricity.

The gas is distributed over the city through a new biogas pipeline network. This is being built underground with a horizontal drilling robot which means roads are not disturbed. Unlike wind or solar power, a biogas network is barely noticeable to residents.

The gas network powers a series of ten quiet Schmitt Enertec Cogeneration units which feed electricity into the grid, and heat into local district heating networks. The CHP Cogeneration units are camouflaged as decorative installations featuring wood and plants to become part of the urban environment.

The gas network and the cogeneration units where the gas is turned into heat and electricity are quiet, efficient and reliable.

Schmitt was chosen as the main supplier after a competition which against leading manufacturers such as GE Energy and Man. “The project was a nice challenge for us.” said Frank Schmitt, the managing director of Schmitt Enertec “We believe this is a model for the future of local power generation”.

“What makes this project exiting is the combination of Cogeneration with renewable energy in an urban environment. Schmitt Enertec’s solution was superior both in terms of technology and design,” says Peter Kindt, the chairman of local heat and power provider Alfagy Ltd.

The network is expected to deliver heat and electricity to customers by December 2009.

Other cities worldwide are now considering similar projects.

Related categories:  Biodegradable waste   Biofuels and biomass   Eco-friendly Power generation   Environmental technologies for offices and commercial   Environmental technologies for Residential and Green homes   Solar power and photovoltaics   Wind power