The German dairy "Milchverwertung Ostallgäu eG (MVO)" is setting new standards in terms of sustainable energy supply: With twelve "HKA 70 Prozess" biomass power plants from Spanner Re² GmbH, the dairy produces electricity and heat almost self-sufficiently - and that 100 % from regional wood chips.
Wood gas technology for a sustainable energy supply
The dairy processes around 150 million kilograms of milk from over 400 regional farmers every year. The energy requirement for production is correspondingly high. In order to become independent of fossil fuels and at the same time ensure profitability, the cooperative decided to use wood gasifier and wood gas combined heat and power (CHP) units.
Space-saving container solution: the EnergyBlock from Spanner Re²
The new energy system consists of three 40 foot containers (EnergyBlock), each with four ‘HKA 70 Process’ wood-fired power plants. Each unit delivers 63 kW of electrical and 147 kW of thermal output, resulting in a total output of 756 kW electrical and 1,768 kW thermal.
The modular energy solution enables flexible and demand-orientated energy generation - even during maintenance work, as the systems do not have to be completely shut down for service work as is the case with a single large system.
Depending on energy requirements, they can be regulated down to 20 % of their output or switched off individually. This makes system operation particularly resource-efficient and flexible.
Installed wood gas CHP units in the dairy - installed in the EnergyBlock (container solution)
Wood chips: Regional fuel - maximum efficiency
The biomass power plant is fuelled with wood chips from the region. A newly constructed wood chip bunker ensures the supply for around ten days. The energy generated is utilised directly in the dairy: electricity for operation, heat as process energy - which means that the dairy also receives a process heat subsidy on its investment.
In addition, two photovoltaic systems with a total output of 810 kW support self-sufficiency. Solar power surpluses is fed into the grid via direct marketing.
CO2-neutral biomass power plants based on wood gas for the future
The decision to use biomass power plants was made in the dairy's favour, not least due to the energy crisis and the horrendously rising prices of oil and electricity, both of which the dairy had previously used. In addition, the existing steam boiler from the 1970s is outdated - it is now only operated as a redundancy system and is to be switched off completely in the next few years. It was important for the cooperative to find an energy solution that utilises regionally available fuels as an energy source. The decision was made in favour of the wood gasifiers and wood gas CHP units from Spanner Re² GmbH. With the new solution, the dairy is not only climate-friendly, but also economically future-proof.
State-of-the-art technology: process heat + electricity
The HKA 70 process model from Spanner Re² is specially designed for the utilisation of process heat and self-generated electricity and is eligible for subsidies. Thanks to SCR catalytic converters, process heat exchangers and a turbocharged engine, the system achieves maximum efficiency. It is started independently of electricity using wood gas, which offers additional operational reliability.
Benefits of biomass power plants from Spanner Re²
- CO₂-neutral energy generation
- Modular design for flexible output
- Regional fuel supply
- Eligible process heat utilisation
- High economic efficiency through use of own electricity
- Future-proof technology from Germany
