Leading European carpet manufacturer Desso has signed an
agreement, together with Eneco and HoSt, confirming their
participation in the joint exploration of whether biomass
methanisation in Waalwijk could allow Desso to operate
manufacturing on renewable energy.
Sustainable energy supplier Eneco have expressed their intention to
explore whether a new plant, to be named Wabico, could deliver
mutual gains for all parties involved. The plant is an
initiative of, Eneco, HoSt and municipality Waalwijk. Desso's
production in Waalwijk is located close to Wabico, and given that
the company uses annually 28,000 GJ of heat in Waalwijk and 200.000
GJ (electricity is usually expressed in kWh or GWh) electricity
worldwide, they are an ideal candidate for such a venture.
Responsible use of renewable energy
While electricity can be easily transported via the grid,
utilizing heat is more challenging. It requires a nearby
outlet and low-temperature applications. Desso's production in
Waalwijk, being so closely situated to Wabico, is an ideal location
to explore whether this heat can be supplied to Desso.
How it works
The methanisation plant produces biogas from organic waste like
verge grass, fat, oil and grease from hospitality. This gas is then
fired into a combined-heat-power installation (CHP) which allows
for optimum use of the caloric value of biogas. The CHP plant
produces about 45,000 GJ per annum of electricity and nearly the
same amount of heat. The biomass residue can be reused as compost
or organic fertilizer - guaranteeing recovery of nutrients
according to the Cradle to Cradle® principle.
Working together for mutual gain
Energy supplier Eneco is aiming for 100% renewable energy
production by 2030, as supported by their slogan 'sustainable,
decentral, together' ("duurzaam, decentraal, samen"). Their
business unit Solar, Hydro & Bio is in the lead for realizing a
big part of this ambition within the Netherlands, Belgium, France
Germany and the UK. Manager Tim Barenbrug looks forward to the
Wabico project:."Eneco sees Wabico in Waalwijk as a great
development. We've already been producing sun- and wind energy for
years. If we can add the bio CHP plant, we'll be making a huge,
sustainable step forward".
Desso, since 2008 a Cradle to Cradle® company, seeks to meet high
standards for raw material procurement, product design and
recycling. This principle, however, also demands the use of
current solar income (renewable energy). Desso has already achieved
Silver Certification for their EcoBase® carpet tile.
Following their ambition to become a fully Cradle to Cradle®
company by 2020, Desso aims to use only renewable energy in all of
its processes, ideally generated and used at
source.
HoSt is a leading designer- and supplier of turn-key biomass energy
installations throughout the Netherlands, with 40% market share.
Since 2004, HoSt has delivered 30 biomass energy installations
within the Netherlands, and since 2008 they operate
internationally. Aside from designing and building biomass energy
installations, HoSt is also an engineering expert in the field of
energy challenges within the industry.
Municipality of Waalwijk is the driver behind Ecopark Waalwijk,
where Wabico will be located. Ecopark Waalwijk, formerly a
landfill site, is a unique location for the production of renewable
energy from the sun, wind and biogas. The land hosts 4,200
solarpanels, five windmills and exploited landfill gas. A decrease
in landfill gas created interest in biomass methanisation.
Stef Kranendijk, Chief Executive Officer at Desso, is looking
forward to the joint cooperation: "This is an exciting development
for Desso and is an important step towards achieving our goals for
2020. Renewable energy is an extremely integral part of the
Cradle to Cradle® principle that we are passionately committed to.
With this partnership, we are happy to be working with the best
partners in the field to create a better future for us all."
About Eneco
Eneco applies an integrated distribution strategy and
specialises in the production, transmission, trading, supply and
metering of energy (electricity, gas and heat) and related products
and services. Eneco is making a transition to becoming a
sustainable energy company and will make substantial investments in
the area of sustainable energy during the coming years. Eneco
developes sustainable projects working on windpower, waterpower,
sunpower, biomass and heat. In total the company serves
approximately two million business and domestic customers. Eneco
employs about 7,000 people (6.628 FTEs). The head office is located
in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, see http://corporatenl.eneco.nl
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