Wärtsilä delivers world's first CHP plant usi...
Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 23 April 2008, at 2 pm EET
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Wärtsilä has secured an order for an engine-driven combined heat and
power (CHP) plant that will run on the liquid biofuel, which is
extracted from the seeds of the jatropha plant. This CHP plant will
be the first power plant in the world ever to produce both
electricity and heat using crude jatropha oil as fuel. The contract
is valued at approximately seven million euros.
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The plant is to be located in an agricultural area in Merksplas,
Belgium. The plant will be owned by Greenpower NV, a joint venture
between Thenergo (50%), the Belgian developer of sustainable energy
projects, four local agricultural companies (40%), and a private
investor (10%). Commercial operation of the plant is scheduled to
begin in February 2009.
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"The significance of this order is that it will be the first in the
world whereby our engines are to run on vegetable oil from the
jatropha plant and to produce both electricity and heat. Jatropha oil
is a liquid biofuel that has great potential since jatropha can also
be harvested outside the world's rainforest areas, even near deserts.
It is a step towards using CO2-neutral fuels that do not compete with
other valuable food crops." says Ronald Westerdijk, Business
Development Manager, Wärtsilä Benelux countries.
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Heat from the plant will be used primarily for farming processes,
such as in nearby greenhouses. It will also be used in a drying
process, which is part of a livestock farming manure digester plant
that processes biogas and dry fertilizer material. Electricity will
be sold to the grid.
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Under this turnkey contract, Wärtsilä will deliver a Wärtsilä 32
engine with an electrical output of 9 MW, sufficient to serve
approximately 20,000 households. The scope of supply also includes
exhaust gas cleaning equipment and heat recovery systems. The plant
will have a gross electrical efficiency of 44.2% and an overall
efficiency of more than 85%. Also, Greenpower and Wärtsilä have
signed a letter of intent for a 10-year operations & maintenance
(O&M) agreement.
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Wärtsilä is seen as a reliable and experienced partner with a strong
portfolio of references in supplying CHP plants operating on liquid
biofuel, and the supply of long-term operations and maintenance (O&M)
services.
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Jatropha - A promising fuel
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Jatropha oil is extracted from the seeds of the jatropha plant. The
seeds are a non-edible, high-energy fruit grown on semi-arid or
wasteland. As it is not a food or forage crop, it plays an important
role in deterring cattle, and thus protects other valuable food or
cash crops. Jatropha seeds can be pressed into vegetable oil that can
be used to run diesel engines. The pressed residue of the seeds is a
good fertilizer and can also be used for electricity and heat
production.
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For the past five years Thenergo has been researching the sustainable
potential of jatropha. The CHP plant project will help Thenergo's
multifuel approach to the production of sustainable energy. Its
strategy is to diversify its feedstock base, namely biogas, natural
gas, bio-oil, woody biomass and secondary fuels.
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Thenergo in brief
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Based in Antwerp, Belgium, Thenergo is a fast growing, fully
integrated and independent developer and operator of sustainable
energy projects using biogas, natural gas, bio-oil, woody biomass and
secondary fuels. Thenergo creates value for its partners and
shareholders as a one-stop provider of sustainable energy solutions,
transforming clean and renewable fuels into electricity and heat.
Since 14 June 2007, Thenergo has been listed on Alternext, Paris.
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www.thenergo.be
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Wärtsilä in brief
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Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them
with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and
environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the
marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as
services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out
to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is
achieved by the dedication of 17,000 professionals manning 150
Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is
listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
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www.wartsila.com
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For further information, please contact:
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Ronald Westerdijk
Business Development Manager
Wärtsilä Power Plants, Benelux countries
Tel:Â Â +31-653285190
e-mail:Â ronald.westerdijk@wartsila.com
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Atte Palomäki
Group Vice President, Corporate Communications
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel:Â +358-405476390
e-mail: atte.palomaki@wartsila.com
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