HVC is currently installing a capture installation for Bio-CO2 in Alkmaar as a demo trial for the bio-energy power plant. The Bio-CO2 will be tested later this year by greenhouse growers in the far north of the province of Noord-Holland.
HVC is the first company in the Netherlands to capture CO2 from a bio-energy power plant and to convert this into liquid CO2 for horticulturists in the region. HVC captures the Bio-CO2 directly from flue gases, thus reducing its own CO2 emissions. Linked to a bio-energy power plant, the installation will prevent approximately 4 kilotons of CO2 from being emitted on annual basis. Thanks to the Bio-CO2 greenhouse growers in this region will no longer need to rely on the fossil fuel natural gas. There is a particular need for this in hot summer weather. A single ton of Bio-CO2 will enable you to save half a ton of CO2 derived from natural gas.
Increased sustainability
The construction of the CO2 demo trial installation is an intermediate step for building a larger capture installation as a regional source of Bio-CO2 and to attain the goals of the Noord-Holland Green Deal CO2 for greenhouse horticulture companies. The external supply of CO2 is a key precondition for enhancing the sustainability of the greenhouse horticulture industry. Robert Kielstra, Director of Energie Combinatie Wieringermeer (ECW) and representative of the greenhouse horticulture companies at Agriport: ‘Capturing CO2 is a prime example of the circular economy. Although this is just a trial installation, this step will mean a giant step forward in sustainability – particularly after a scale-up – because it contributes to reducing the use of natural gas in the greenhouse horticulture industry.’
Green heat
In addition to supplying Bio-CO2 to greenhouse growers, HVC’s bio-energy power plant will also provide 4,800 customers in Alkmaar, Heerhugowaard and Langedijk with heat. The ultimate goal is to provide 15,000 households and commercial enterprises with green, sustainable heat. The bio-energy power plant, which is fired by waste wood, is in fact nothing but a huge central heating boiler for the entire region. When waste wood is burned, steam escapes which is subsequently used to heat water. This water is then transported to households and businesses in the region via heat pipelines. The cooled-down water will return to HVC, where it is heated up again.
Source: HVC. Photos: HVC/ Marc Dorleijn.
