Biogaz du Haut-Geer to expand sustainability benefits for Energy Facility

Eneria will design, install and commission a new combined heat and power (CHP) system that will use two Cat CG170-16 biogas generator sets with integrated CHP technologies to supply an additional 1.5 MW of power and 1.5 MW of heat while providing redundancy. The Cat dealer is also providing components to help process the methane-rich biogas fuel for the systems, which is produced in anaerobic digesters from organic byproducts supplied by more than 30 food processing plants, local farmers and various other public and private partners.  Additionally, Eneria will support the operation of the system through ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

Scheduled for commissioning in the second quarter of 2022, the CHP system will provide electricity and thermal energy for local industrial operations. Heat will also be used to optimise the biomethanisation process in the digesters, help produce high-quality organic fertiliser, and remove moisture from wood chips that are pressed into briquettes for fuel and marketed under the Flameco brand name.

“The biogas system works 24 hours a day year-round, so efficiency, durability and reliability are essential for maximising the return on our investment,” said Gaëtan de Seny, Managing Director of Biogaz du Haut-Geer. “We have chosen field-proven CHP technologies from Caterpillar and Eneria’s expertise to provide a robust solution that will help us maximize the performance and sustainability benefits of our biogas system.”

The new CHP capabilities will supplement an existing system anchored by three Cat CG132-12 generator sets that began producing 1.5 MW of power and 1.5 MW of heat in 2012. The current system produces biogas from 60,000 tons of biodegradable waste annually.  

“Biogas energy facilities provide renewable energy in a very efficient way that improves the sustainability profiles of agriculture and food processing operations,” said Sven Buehler, energy system engineer for gas product sales at Caterpillar “Biogaz du Haut-Geer illustrates how a creative, multi-faceted approach can deliver a full cycle of benefits for local businesses, agriculture operations, residents and the environment.”

Cogeneration Capabilities from Caterpillar

Facilities can reduce operating costs by implementing a Cat CHP system or a combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) system. Most Cat natural gas-fueled engines can be configured with a CHP or CCHP system to simultaneously generate power for electrical loads while capturing waste heat that can be repurposed as thermal energy for facility processes or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements.

While the combination of grid power and traditional boilers for thermal energy offers less than 50% energy efficiency, CHP and CCHP systems from Caterpillar can provide total energy efficiencies of up to 90%. This allows customers to save on energy spending, provide autonomy of supply and reduce emissions

Cat CHP and CCHP systems can deliver a rapid return on investment for a wide range of industrial and commercial facilities, such as manufacturing plants, refineries, regional district heating plants, resorts, shopping malls, high-rise office buildings, universities, data centers and hospitals.

Caterpillar delivers innovative power systems engineered for sustainability, durability, reliability and value. The company offers worldwide product support, with parts, services and customer value agreements available through the Cat authorized service and dealer network. In addition, dealer technicians are trained to provide a comprehensive range of maintenance and services that help customers optimise the total cost of ownership of Cat equipment.

For more information, visit www.cat.com/eu-chp or e-mail Electric_Power@cat.com. Additional details on cogeneration are available from the Eneria website at https://www.eneria.be/en/energy/gas-generator-sets/gas-applications/.