.jpg)
Schmack! - First biogas plant on the Isle of Wight
06/02/2015 Schmack Biogas GmbH
The historic and picturesque holiday destination of the Isle of Wight (population 140,000) is set to benefit from its inaugural biogas plant. By spring 2015 the new facility promises to deliver England's largest island (just off the south coast) with the very best in renewable energy technology.Schmack Biogas UK Ltd (part of the Viessmann Group), in partnership with Wight Farm Energy is on course to complete the plant (at Gore Cross, Arreton, just west of the centre of the island) that is configured for an output of five megawatts of gas power, with a 250 kW combined heat and power unit to supply its own energy demand.
In contrast to conventional AD plants, biogas produced at this first Isle of Wight facility will be processed into biomethane, which has the same quality as natural gas. This will enable it to be fed into the island's existing gas network. 4.25 million standard cubic metres of biomethane will be produced from renewable raw materials comprising mainly of maize silage, grass silage, whole crop silage and agricultural wastes. The project helps some of the Isle of Wight's largest farm holdings to secure a future from unprofitable break crops, which are secondary crops grown to interrupt the repeated sowing of cereals as part of crop rotation.
Designed to fit in with the local environment by way of a cut and fill construction, the Schmack Biogas AD plant will utilise its robust mixing technology, which enables the plant to be flexible in regards to the range of inputs. At the end of the fermentation and gas upgrading process, the plant produces biomethane for grid injection (to be used as energy and heat where needed), electricity for internal consumption - and also fertiliser as separated soil residue for farmland.
As well as its successes in Germany, Schmack's proven track record in sustainable AD plants also includes its installation at Stoke Bardolph, just outside Nottingham. Here, maize silage, sugar beet and whole plant silage are utilised for a 3 x 1063 kWel (Kilowatt Electric) system that generates electrical and thermal energy for the neighbouring sewage treatment plant operated by Severn Trent Water. Schmack's robust experience in this renewable project technology field stretches back almost two decades. The company provides complete services in project development and plant construction, as well as servicing and operational management. The company also provides a comprehensive microbiological service.
Michael Groth, Head of Sales at Schmack Biogas, commented: "There are some extra logistics involved with the Gore Cross project being on the Isle of Wight, but the most formidable challenge encountered during the construction period has been the very prolonged decision of the DECC (Department Of Energy and Climate Change) over the RHI (Renewable Heat Initiative) for AD and Gas to Grid injection. However, the project teams are now firmly underway and all pulling in the right direction to bring about this historic installation that we believe will demonstrate exemplary efficiencies that the Isle of Wight can be proud of. Wight Farm Energy is an association made up of seven landowners and a producer and trade group for cereals, so they are an ideal partner for us with their active involvement and knowledge of the island and its agriculture".
He added: "By upgrading the gas and feeding it into the natural gas grid, it is utilised where it can be done so most efficiently and effectively. It is also removes the dependency on fossil fuel by using renewable input materials and agricultural waste that would otherwise be going to landfill".
This latest installation by Schmack follows its contract to design and build a new 2000 Nm³/h processing plant just south of Stockholm. The development (in early 2015) will see the Swedish capital increase its proportion of biomethane by 50 per cent, utilising Schmack Carbotech's innovative Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) principle to help produce biofuel in vehicles powered by natural gas.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Groth
Schmack Biogas GmbH
Bayernwerk 8
92421 Schwandorf
Tel: +49 9431 751-0
Fax: +49 9431 751-204
Email: info@schmack-biogas.com
Web: www.schmack-biogas.com
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.