EnviTec Biogas : at Energy Decentral in Hanover

Lohne/Saerbeck, 07 September 2018 - What's next after the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)? For the first biogas plants in Germany, the 20-year subsidy period comes to an end in 2020. While many plants can of course continue to operate, sustainable strategies are required that must also be feasible for plant operators. Sound advice on the subject will be available from the experts at the EnviTec Biogas stand at this year's EnergyDecentral, which runs from 13 to 16 November in Hannover, Germany.

EnviTec CFO Jörg Fischer: 'EnergyDecentral has become a regular date in our trade fair calendar, and is the perfect platform for presenting our innovative technologies and services that focus on using biogas and biomethane for the decentralised supply of energy.' As a trade fair for the decentralised energy industry, EnergyDecentral and its sister fair EuroTier has established itself as the flagship fair for decentralised energy systems in recent years, with the last event featuring 357 specialised exhibitors and over 25,000 m2 of exhibition space.

Accordingly, the 40 m3 fair stand on show in hall 25 from the Lower Saxony-based biogas all-rounder focuses squarely on sustainable alternatives capable of literally powering the production of carbon-neutral electricity, heat and fuel - while also putting plant operator earnings into overdrive. Jan Meistermann, Sales Director at EnviTec Service GmbH: 'With our EnviThan gas upgrading technology, which we developed and construct in-house, we're offering plant owners a solution for continuing to operate a biogas plant after subsidies expire that is not merely lucrative but also ecologically sound. And we've already successfully established the EnviThan model in the 150 N/m³ performance class in France - this permits a 1:1 conversion of raw biogas into natural gas quality.'

Upgrading with EnviThan 150 or g-box

Upgrading with EnviThan 150 is especially suitable for biogas plants with a rated output of 500 kWel or higher, whose subsidy will soon expire. And an EnviThan upgrade is a straightforward process: 'We simply disconnect the motor from the old biogas plant and install EnviThan in front of it,' Meistermann explains. The EnviTec team is now at the detail planning stage for a plant in Südoldenburg Germany, whose subsidy expires in 2022. 'EnviThan 150 provides operators with larger revenue streams while offering a real, practicable alternative - especially for facilities with smaller systems,' explains sales expert Meistermann.

Another option for plant operators who have yet to explore flexibilisation for their plant, as well as farm owners with significant heat requirements, is the offer to retrofit a g-box system. The g-box is a profitable natural gas CHP unit with an electrical output range of 20 to 50 kW. With a footprint of just eight square metres, this turnkey compact module is a real space-saver. All control and management functions, plus operator controls, are integrated into the enclosure. Another benefit is the system's low level of noise emissions. Operation of the compact CHP unit is subsidised with funding provided by the German Combined Heat and Power Act. For plant operators, a g-box upgrade pays for itself after just three years. The two upgrade options - EnviThan 150 and g-box - can also be used side-by-side.

Alongside the g-box and EnviThan 150, EnviTec will also be showcasing proven solutions for liquid manure and digestate treatment as well as wastewater treatment. EnviTec will also be providing both its own customers and operators of third-party plants about current offers for the maintenance of co-generation units with motors manufactured by 2G and Jenbacher, as well as Malmberg gas upgrading systems. In this way, operators who have a CHP unit maintenance agreement with EnviTec as a service partner can benefit from an extension to maintenance intervals for Jenbacher motors. Meistermann: 'This not only saves on maintenance costs for our customers but also increases plant uptime.'

About EnviTec Biogas AG

EnviTec Biogas AG covers the entire value chain for the production of biogas, including the planning and turnkey construction of biogas plants and biogas upgrading plants as well as their commissioning. The company takes charge of biological and technical services on demand and also offers full plant and operational management. In addition, EnviTec also operates its own biogas plants. In 2011, EnviTec Biogas expanded its business operations into the direct marketing of upgraded biomethane as well as the marketing of green electricity and balancing energy. With a presence in 16 countries worldwide, EnviTec Biogas AG is represented by its own companies, sales offices, strategic partners and joint ventures. In 2017, EnviTec generated revenue of EUR 198.8 million and EBIT of EUR 6.5 million. The EnviTec Group currently has around 440 employees. EnviTec Biogas has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since July 2007.