Forest Bioenergy Review Spring 2023

Review & PIM Renewable Energy

Moving forward towards more autonomous operations

More and more companies aim to increase the autonomy of their mill or plant operations. In an autonomous mill or plant, an autonomous system can monitor its own performance, which brings several benefits, like improved safety and efficiency, lower costs and reduced environmental impact. Digitalization and more autonomous operations also mean that there is less need for human intervention. The role of people will continue to be important, evolving towards supervising and ensuring that different process areas perform well together, and towards managing exceptions. Operations and maintenance work will become more collaborative in the future as well.

Whether you are just beginning your digital transformation journey or you’re further along in the process, Valmet’s framework helps you recognize the necessary steps and building blocks. Our experts are there to support you as you move towards more autonomous and optimized operations.

More on valmet.com/autonomousoperations

Welcome to the Spring issue of Forest Bioenergy Review & PIM Green Energy,

With continuing uncertainty about the security of energy supplies, industries worldwide have been forced to search for ways to optimise their operations and to meet environmental targets.

Energy diversity and the move away from reliance on fossil fuels to harnessing power from renewable sources are key issues for both energy providers and the industrial enterprises they supply. Practical solutions and technological developments to reduce energy consumption are continuingly being developed to aid industry in the transition to a more renewable and sustainable future.

However, the need to meet environmental targets and a growing raft of legislation is an increasing, but necessary, burden on many industries as they try to maintain profitable production. Flexibility and alternative energy sources are all areas that FBR PIM Green Energy will cover in forthcoming issues, plus much more.

In our Summer issue we will be looking at advances in wind power and waste heat capture technology, as well as biomass shipping, handling and logistics. Submissions should be with us no later than 1 June and e-mailed to pulppaperlogistics@virginmedia.com

Vince Maynard, Publisher

FOREST BIOENERGY REVIEW

Volume 11, Number 56 – Spring 2023 Contact information

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RWE unveils supplier initiative

The largest renewable energy generator in Wales, RWE, has unveiled an innovative approach to supplier engagement, as it looks to expand investment opportunities in renewable energy to a wider pool of UK businesses.

The developer’s dedicated approach to supplier engagement was launched at RWE’s Celtic Sea Supply Chain Engagement Day in Cardiff, where Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, and Vaughan Gething, Welsh Government Economy Minister, also spoke.

The initiative, the Supplier Transparency & Engagement Programme (STEP), aims to maximise awareness of opportunities for businesses to support the growing offshore wind industry.

The programme will enable a greater understanding of supplier capabilities, while enabling cooperative working with suppliers to help solve key industry and supply chain challenges.

There are four initial activities that showcase a commitment to effective supplier engagement: new websites; an easy-to-use engagement platform with open search functionality

and project updates; a full set of supplier engagement days; and the opportunity to arrange calls with project team members.

Danielle Lane, RWE’s Director of Development for UK and Ireland, said: “Floating wind is a new technology with huge opportunities and as such, businesses across South Wales and the South-West of England have a real chance to place themselves right at the centre of the supply chain for what is a multi-billion pound industry.

“RWE has been a major part of the UK’s offshore wind journey since the start, gathering significant experience across the development, construction and operations phases, in addition to supporting skills and training programmes.

“With a growing pipeline of floating projects globally, including unrivalled real-world experience via three separate demonstration projects, we are ready to bring that expertise to the Celtic Sea region.

“Combined with our long-standing presence in Wales as the country’s largest renewable energy generator where we employ over 300 staff Wales-wide, we also have the necessary resources to help put the region on the front foot.”

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “We are ambitious for the floating offshore wind sector in Wales – we believe it has the potential to deliver sustainable sources of energy into the future and it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up new markets for local suppliers and to create thousands of high-quality jobs in Wales.

“Open dialogue and discussion is the only way forward to help us make the most of the opportunities on offer – ranging from cutting edge technology to the local every day economy. I look forward to many more opportunities to engage as we unlock the exciting potential this new industry has to offer to our businesses and communities.”

Rt Hon Stephen Crabb, MP, confirmed: “I am delighted to support RWE’s Celtic Sea Supply Chain event. The deployment of floating wind in the Celtic Sea is a once in a generation multi-billion pound economic investment opportunity for Wales and the wider Celtic Sea region. It is essential that we maximise the investment, supply chain and job opportunities for our businesses and communities. RWE’s supply chain

event today helps to build those crucial relationships and deepen understanding about how companies can prepare for this exciting opportunity”.

The STEP initiative builds on RWE’s approach to supplier engagement and furthers the generator’s global floating wind capability, which has been developing over the past four years. This has included multi-million pound engineering contracts and regular supplier outreach.

RWE’s Celtic Sea team has already been working closely with a number of potential key suppliers, including Tata Steel UK, ABP Port Talbot, Port of Milford Haven and Marine Power Systems.

The Crown Estate plans to allocate seabed rights in the Celtic Sea, estimated to be capable of generating four gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035, as part of a leasing round this Autumn.

RWE is preparing to bid into the Crown Estate’s forthcoming Celtic Sea seabed leasing auction later this year, where up to 4GW of floating wind will be awarded, with many more gigawatts expected in the future. More information: www.rwe.com/celticsea

Approval of 100% synthetic fuels in Germany welcomed by Neste

Neste welcomes the German government’s plan to approve the sales of 100% synthetic fuels at fuel stations. So far, sales of synthetic fuels, such as e-fuels and renewable diesel (also known as ‘HVO’), in Germany have been largely limited to fuel blends in which these fuels have represented about 26% maximum. The sales of unblended 100% renewable diesel have previously only been allowed in specific segments, such as in non-road vehicles and public transportation. The planned approval by the government would in the near future allow 100% renewable diesel to be sold and used unblended in all segments in Germany.

“We are very pleased that the German government plans to approve synthetic fuels, allowing 100% renewable diesel to be sold at all fuel stations. This means that in the near future, also privately-operated vehicle fleets and consumers will be able to use this product and instantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions,” said

Peter Zonneveld, Vice-President Sales Europe and APAC at Neste. “This is a significant step in the fight against climate change. It is now necessary to legally implement the decision as quickly as possible,” he continued.

By using Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, which is made from 100% renewable raw materials, greenhouse

gas emissions (GHG) are reduced by as much as 75-95%* over the life cycle of the fuel compared to fossil diesel.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel is fully compatible with all diesel engines and the existing fuel distribution infrastructure. Thanks to the Clean Vehicle Directive, Neste has already been selling Neste MY Renewable

Diesel to municipalities and public transportation companies, while Neste MY Renewable Diesel has also been available for the use in non-road applications in Germany, such as in agriculture, construction, trains and in the marine sector.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel has a similar chemical composition to fossil diesel, making it a drop-in replacement to this fossil fuel. It can be used unblended (100% concentration) without the need for any changes in the diesel-powered vehicles or their engines. The use of 100% renewable diesel is widely approved by vehicle and engine manufacturers. More information: www.neste.com

*The GHG emission reduction varies depending on the regionspecific legislation that provides the methodology for the calculations (eg EU RED II 2018/2001/EU for Europe and US California LCFS for the US), and the raw material mix used to manufacture the product for each market.

Conrad Energy’s battery storage keeps Blackpool lights shining

Conrad Energy has taken another step forward in support of the UK’s transition to net zero. Mike Denman, Head of Construction, is pleased to confirm that the 25MW 50MWh battery energy storage site (BESS) in Blackpool was successfully energised to Electricity North West’s (ENWL) 33kV network in late January, following stringent pre-commissioning and functional testing of the safety critical features of the plant, and satisfying UK grid compliance testing requirements.

Battery storage is a vital ingredient for the stabilisation of the grid, in line with the transition to renewable and low carbon energy. Battery storage technology has advanced in recent years, allowing it

to fulfil its crucial role in maximising the usefulness of renewable energy by flattening out some of the curves in supply created by weather fluctuations.

Steve Conry, Chief Operating

Officer, goes on to explain: “When operational, the project will support the energy transition by both solving the problem of matching intermittent energy supply with varying grid demand and by

providing essential ancillary services such as Dynamic Containment, Dynamic Regulation and Dynamic Moderation.”

Each time one of Conrad’s sites is brought online marks the culmination of months of preparation work, in partnership with communities, landlords and local authorities. Once the site is fully operational, it will be handed over to the company’s Operations and Maintenance teams to ensure it remains at optimal performance, with the power it stores being traded on the markets by the in-house optimisation team.

More information from:

www.conradenergy.co.uk

Three green projects in Uzbekistan

ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants worldwide, has signed three Power Purchase Agreements and Investment Agreements with Uzbekistan’s Joint-Stock Company (JSC) National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU) and Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

The agreements include the development of three solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Tashkent and Samarkand and three Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand, with a total capacity of 1.4GW of additional renewable energy and 1.5GWh of additional battery storage capacity. The Tashkent projects will include a 400MW PV plant and 500MWh BESS, while two 500MW PV projects each and a 500MWh BESS will be developed in Samarkand. Another 500MWh BESS will be located in Bukhara and the project will include overhead transmission lines to help dispatch power to the grid.

The projects will play an instrumental role in achieving Uzbekistan’s ambitious targets to transition to a low-carbon economy, as well as diversify its energy sources. The Republic’s targets to reform the energy sector entail generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, equating to 15,000MW divided into 10,000 MW of solar power and 5,000MW of wind power. Achieving this target will help offset 16 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

By incorporating BESS into the grid, Uzbekistan will soon have the largest battery energy storage facilities in the

region, which will play a crucial role in stabilising the grid while promoting renewable energy in the Republic. The BESS will help to mitigate the effects of intermittency that are inherent in renewable energy sources. They will store excess electricity generated during times of high production and make it available during periods of low production. This will ensure a constant and reliable supply of electricity to the grid, ultimately helping to meet the growing demand for energy in Uzbekistan.

These projects have tremendous socio-economic benefits for

Uzbekistan by providing power to over one million households in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and will offset around 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The Investment Agreements were signed by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, and ACWA Power, while the Power Purchase Agreements were signed by the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan JSC (NEGU) and ACWA Power.

During His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in August, 2022, ACWA Power signed with the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade an Investment Cooperation Agreement committing $10 billion of new investments in the next five years above the already committed $5 billion. The Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara PV and BESS projects will contribute to $ 2.5 billion of new investments as part of the targeted $10 billion investment. More information: www.acwapower.com

Neste fuel cuts Finnair’s carbon emissions

Finnair has purchased 750 tons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to reduce the carbon emissions from flights departing from Helsinki Airport in Finland. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of the most important tools for reducing the emissions of air travel in the coming years and is available for all airlines at Helsinki Airport.

Finnair aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and the use of sustainable aviation fuel is an important tool in this regard. The fuel volume now purchased is Finnair’s single largest batch of sustainable aviation fuel purchased to date. The 750 tons of SAF corresponds to approximately 400 flights between Helsinki and Stockholm using unblended, 100% SAF. Currently, SAF can be used blended up to 50% with conventional fossil jet fuel.

“Finnair celebrates its 100th

anniversary this year and reducing emissions from flying is an essential part of a sustainable future. Sustainable aviation fuel will be one of the most important tools for reducing emissions in the coming years. We also involve our

customers in this and a small part of every flight ticket sold goes to the cost of sustainable aviation fuel,” said Eveliina Huurre, Finnair’s SVP, Sustainability. “Reducing emissions from flying requires an extensive toolkit and everyone’s effort. While

we are increasing the use of SAF, we will also continue to take all other steps, from reducing the weight of aircraft to optimising flight routes and increasing fuel efficiency.”

More information: www.neste.com

Grid constraints threaten renewable uptake

the common consensus across the country is that the process is no longer fit for purpose. Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are currently drawing on new, more flexible approaches to managing their network and enabling connections via curtailment offers, which offer users the opportunity to gain some of their required capacity now and some later, in a bid to release capacity in constrained areas and free up space on the grid. Such changes are not, however, yet guaranteed and may take years to put in motion.

According to Suzanna Lashford , Manager, Business Development, Vattenfall Network Solutions, demand for renewable energy is soaring, but limited grid capacity is slowing the widespread adoption of green electricity.

A key plank of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy is transitioning to an electricity network powered solely by zero carbon, renewable energy. Progress is being made; The National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO) reported that in 2022 the UK hit a record high of wind and solar generation¹. But there is one major roadblock that stands in the way of the electric revolution – the limited (and rapidly diminishing) capacity available via the UK power grid.

The non-profit Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) noted that British-based renewables have already overtaken gas as the UK’s primary

source of electricity, based on data taken between October, 2022, and January, 2023². However, following the unprecedented soar in demand for wind and solar farm grid connections, many projects are now being placed on hold. At times when network capacity for renewables was restricted in the financial year of 2022/23, ECIU explains, payments to gas generators reached £485 million – the highest payment to any type of power generator.

The National Grid is warning those looking to secure new connections in England and Wales that they will have to wait in line behind some 600 other projects – collectively compromising 176GW of energy. This backlog extends more than a decade, with only 64GW of connected capacity available.³ These limitations are delaying billions of pounds of private investment and at the same time putting the brakes on the UK energy sector, which is not

compatible with the UK government’s targets for renewable energy generation. The issue will likely spiral over the next few decades, with the UK’s electricity demand expected to double or even triple by 2050.

Suzanna lashford explained, “As it stands, grid-blocking is restricting hundreds of credible projects from achieving their renewable energy potential, thwarting the efforts of those who are ready to fully commit to the net zero transition. If the UK wants to meet its targets, wider plans must be initiated to improve capacity and lessen delays. Connections would need to be looked at on a regional basis to enable the UK to analyse where demand is and place generation close to demand to help stabilise those local areas”.

The National Grid ESO has publicly acknowledged that the current connection process has ‘not kept pace with the rapid changes occurring in the energy sector’⁴, and recognised that

Some developers are in the position where they can afford longer time scales for a grid connection. They may also be offered a connection much further from their facilities, thus increasing the overall cost to the developer, but smaller organisations with less funds at their disposal and those trying to benefit on a local level will struggle with the current procedures available to them. By partnering with an Independent Network Operator (IDNO), or a ‘power partner’, as Lashford describes it, any sized developer can receive support in value engineering their connections and therefore reducing costs, while avoiding bottlenecks.

More information:

www.group.vattenfall.com

¹ https://www.nationalgrideso.com/news/ britains-electricity-explained-2022-review

² https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/ uk-renewables-overtake-gas-as-top-electricitygenerator-this-winter

³ https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricitytransmission/queue-management-next-stepaccelerating-grid-connections

4 https://www.nationalgrideso.com/electricitytransmission/document/273021/download

Renewable energy supply contracts signed

Paris-based law firm De Gaulle Fleurance has advised Leroy Merlin on the signing of electricity supply contracts with Voltalia and Photosol. These corporate PPAs will allow the construction of three solar installations in the second half of 2023 and one wind installation in France. The four installations are expected to produce an average annual volume of 125 GWh of green electricity by 2024/2025.

Leroy Merlin, an ADEO Group

company, has been accelerating the energy transition to renewables for several years. Thanks to Voltalia’s and Photosol’s know-how in the field of agrivoltaics, these projects will partly guarantee the maintenance and development of agricultural activity. They will allow farmers to diversify their activities without affecting the quality and yield of the land.

These contracts with Leroy Merlin are signed for periods of between

15 and 23 years, during which time all the electricity produced, as well as the guarantees of origin and capacity, will be transferred to Leroy Merlin. They will ultimately cover 57% of the annual consumption of the leading home improvement company in France.

De Gaulle Fleurance assisted Leroy Merlin in the context of these strategic partnerships, in the negotiation and drafting of these purchase agreements.

“We are pleased to have supported Leroy Merlin in signing these strategic partnerships that will promote the energy transition,” explained Sylvie Perrin, Partner at De Gaulle Fleurance Avocats Notaires. “Leroy Merlin’s commitment contributes to the growth of renewable infrastructures and allows them to be a longterm player committed to greener consumption.”

More information: www.degaullefleurance.com

High-efficiency boiler for German waste treatment plant

Joint venture solar project in UAE

It was announced on 26 January that Emerge, a joint venture between the United Arab Emirates’ Masdar and France’s EDF, has signed an agreement with CocaCola Al Ahlia Beverages, CocaCola’s bottler and distributor in the UAE, to develop a 1.8-megawatt (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant for its Al Ain facility.

plant we will build, operate and maintain for Coco-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages – like the facilities we are building for our other partners Miral, Khazna Data Centers and Al Dahra Food Industries – will provide stable and clean energy for its Al Ain facility for decades to come”.

International technology group

ANDRITZ has received an order from EON Energy Projects GmbH to supply an EcoFluid boiler with a capacity of 30 MW thermal power. Start-up is scheduled for 2025.

The new, highly efficient bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) boiler from ANDRITZ will burn waste from paper processing and sludge from the sewage treatment plant at the Aschaffenburg site. Once fully operational, it will reduce the dependency on natural gas by 25% and save 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The amount of natural gas saved could heat a town with a population of 85,000 for a year.

The ANDRITZ scope of supply

includes engineering, supply, erection and commissioning of the BFB boiler, including all required supporting equipment and a flue gas cleaning plant with two bag filters and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.

The new ANDRITZ plant will secure the best possible utilisation of residues at state-of-the-art thermal efficiency.

It will also contribute to the lowest possible environmental impact with flue gas values that correspond to the benchmarking best available technology in Germany.

More information:

www.andritz.com

The commercial and industrial (C&I) project, located at the CocaCola Al Ahlia Beverages facility in Al Ain, will be a combination of ground-mounted, rooftop and car park installations. Emerge will provide a full turnkey solution for the 1.8 MWp project, including the design, procurement, and construction, as well as operation and maintenance of the plant for 25 years.

The agreement was signed by Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages, and Michel Abi Saab, General Manager, Emerge, at the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which took place in the UAE capital from 14-19 January.

Michel Abi Saab said, “Emerge is pleased to be increasing its C&I footprint in the UAE with our collaboration with such a reputable company. We are confident the 1.8 MWp solar PV

Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages, agreed: “This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to drive and embrace innovation in every part of our business while reducing our carbon footprint. Our agreement with Emerge will allow us to reach yet another sustainability milestone, a big aspect of which is the integration of more renewable energy into our operations”.

The C&I solar segment has been witnessing unprecedented growth since 2021, boosted internationally by the high cost of fuel and electricity. IHS Markit has predicted that 125 gigawatts (GW) of C&I rooftop solar will be installed globally by 2026. Rooftop solar PV could provide approximately 6% of the UAE’s total power generation by 2030 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s REmap 2030 report. More information:

www.emerge-energy.com

Name change for Megatuuli Oy Turbine automation replaced at Statkraft plant

Megatuuli Oy, an onshore wind power developer owned by Enersense International Plc, a provider of zero-emission energy solutions, has changed its name to Enersense Wind Oy.

The name change is part of the integration process and harmonisation of the names of Enersense’s subsidiaries. Enersense acquired Megatuuli on 1 February, 2022.

The name change will have no effect on the company’s business

identity code, which will remain the same.

“Enersense has a lot of competence in wind power project development, design, construction, and maintenance. Under the common Enersense brand, I believe that we will be able to promote our green transition goals more fully and broadly,” stated Lauri Lammivaara, Vice-President, Wind Power Development at Enersense.

More information: www.enersense.com

Valmet will deliver a turbine automation system to Statkraft’s gas power plant in Emden, Germany. The new system will replace an obsolete, third-party, turbine controller on a gas turbine. Modern automation will ensure the future availability of the gas turbine to produce peak energy to the local grid.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2022. New turbine automation will be

commissioned in September, 2023.

“Valmet has experience with several gas turbine automation retrofits. We are pleased to be Statkraft’s partner for the turbine renovation project in Emden and will be glad to support them to achieve their global targets,” said Johann Hilgers, Sales Manager, Automation Systems business line.

More information: www.valmet.com

EcoFluid bubbling fluidised bed boiler (picture courtesy of ANDRITZ).

Designed for logging contractors of all sizes, John Deere has introduced the new 2956G crawler log loader for customers looking for a machine that provides the best combination of engine horsepower and hydraulics capability, while maintaining a machine weight of less than 90,000 lb.

“We are always listening to customer feedback to bring ideal solutions and technologies to the forestry industry,” said Jarvis de Groot of John Deere. “The new 2956G crawler log loader machine not only provides optimal power and hydraulic capabilities, but is still easy to transport due to its excellent width

and weight combination.”

Aimed to help ease transportation, it features an overall shipping width of less than 11 ft 6 in. As machine weights and widths increase, so do costs associated with transportation. The design on the 2956G not only helps simplify transportability, but also helps save on costs relating to transport due to its less restrictive transportation requirements. In addition, the new mounting of the log deflector adds additional strength to the right-front corner of the machine and the new, clean and simple design of the hood profile, aligned with counterweight, helps to enhance debris shedding.

The new model features excellent

engine power for a machine of this size. When combined, the engine power and hydraulic flow significantly boost loading capability, speed and the capacity to run the Waratah 624. In addition, customers looking to increase efficiency in roadside processing can expect improved productivity when running the Waratah 624 head as compared to the 2654G.

Visibility enhancements have also been prioritised in the design of the 2956G. Enabling additional visibility to the right track, as well as reduce overall impact, the righthand front corner log deflector has been strategically moved to the back on the machine. This improves

Biomass combustion at Veolia Group

Valmet will deliver boiler conversions and emission reduction solutions for Veolia Group’s Hungarian subsidiary, CHP-Invest Kft, at its power plant in Oroszlány. The order includes the conversion of two coal-fired boilers to bubbling fluidised bed combustion to enable the boilers to run mainly on biomass fuel.

in Hungary

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2022. The value of the order is approximately EUR25 million and the converted boilers will be handed over to the customer in the first and second quarters of 2024.

“Our company intends to include environmentally-conscious

solutions in all its investments, targeting a long-term solution for the sustainability of the industry. We are gradually converting our existing coal-fired power plants to run on more environmentallyfriendly and sustainable fuels. After the recommissioning, the Oroszlány power plant will produce more than 600 GWh of

operator visibility to avoid obstacles and impact, reducing potential damage and downtime. Finally, a rearview camera, light and JDLink antennas have been integrated into the counterweight for additional protection.

Offering ease of serviceability, the 2956G features strategic service access to the machine’s filters and maintenance points, and the cooling package, so operators can continue operating for longer. These machines are also easy to inspect and change filters, helping simplify daily inspections and routine maintenance.

More information:

www.johndeere.com/forestry

renewable electricity, making up about 1.5% of today’s electricity consumption in Hungary,” explained György Palkó, CEO of Veolia Energia Magyarország Zrt.

“We are happy to deliver Valmet’s solutions for sustainable energy production and also to continue our journey in Hungary with a new boiler rebuild project,” added Niina Ollikka, Director, Boiler Rebuilds and Conversions, Pulp and Energy business line, Valmet.

More information: www.valmet.com

Mid-size crawler log loader

At the core of the circular economy

By Jouko Latva-Somppi, Jussi Orhanen and Marjaana Lehtinen

Valmet’s waste-to-energy boiler (WtE) delivery to Thang Long Energy Environment Joint Stock Company will support the transition to sustainable energy and a green economy in Vietnam.

Anew player in the WtE field, Thang Long Energy Environment JSC was established to build and operate the region’s first facility of this type in Bac Ninh Province near Hanoi, Vietnam.

With a 12% yearly increase, municipal waste in Vietnam, a country with a dense population and rapid economic growth, totals 27.8 million tons annually. The amount and variety of waste present significant challenges for solid waste management in Vietnam. For the country’s sustainable growth, it is vital to find cutting-edge technological solutions for waste treatment that also consider energy recovery.

Given the challenges of waste treatment in Vietnam, after spending years

researching numerous technologies and challenging legal processes, The Thang Long Energy Environment JSC (TLE) trusted the Finnish technological model to be applied to the first WtE project of TLE in Bac Ninh province. To maximise the power production from RDF fuel from waste, a waste pre-treatment system, RDF fuel production from BMH Technologies and CFB boiler technology from Valmet are combined in the technology model. The company anticipates applying this technology model to further projects in Vietnam.

Valmet was selected to deliver a Valmet CFB Boiler, Valmet Flue Gas Cleaning system and Valmet DNA Distributed Control System (DCS) for the complete WtE plant. The circulating fluidised bed (CFB) waste-to-energy boiler is Valmet’s first

WtE boiler delivery to South-East Asia. The plant is scheduled to come on stream in late 2023.

“Valmet is one of the very few companies that can deliver its own in-house technology for the combustion of waste-derived fuels and for the cleaning of flue gases, combined with a plant-wide automation system,” said Jouko Latva-Somppi, Director, Heat and Power Plants, Valmet. “Thang Long Energy Environment is looking to differentiate from their competitors with this highefficiency power plant, which uses the best available technology and meets strict emissions standards.”

The project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is TTCL Vietnam Corporation Ltd (TVC), a subsidiary of Thai-based ECP contractor TTCL Public Company Ltd (TTCL). TVC will build the plant and provide the turbine island and auxiliary equipment.

Residual waste – a fuel with value

According to Jussi Orhanen, Business Development Manager, Energy Business Unit, Valmet, Bac Ninh is a rapidly developing region. “While the percentage of

food waste is still high in Bac Ninh’s municipal waste, the proportion of waste like plastic with a high energy value is expected to increase. Improvements in recycling could also reduce waste volumes or change the characteristics and quality of the residual waste. It’s thus essential to utilise WtE technology, which can adapt to such changes. If the situation changes in ten years’ time, our plant must still be able to provide outstanding efficiency.”

Valmet’s solutions have proved effective in applications with a variety of demanding fuels. Fuel flexibility in general is a critical topic at the power plant. “Plants are of course optimised for a specific fuel mix, but thanks to the fuel flexibility of CFB boilers, plant operators have more options for sourcing fuels,” added Orhanen.

To produce a good quality fuel, wet municipal waste will be pre-treated and mixed with separately collected dry industrial or commercial waste. The plant will handle approximately 600 tonnes of municipal and industrial waste per day.

Maximising electricity production

In Europe, treatment facilities charge high gate fees, forcing waste disposers to pay for their waste. The plants are optimised to capture as much waste as

Artist’s impression of the new Bac Ninh waste-to-energy plant.

possible and the efficiency is more embedded in heat generation than in electricity production.

Vietnam has chosen a different path. It subsidises its WtE plants with national electricity feed-in tariffs. This encourages investors to seek maximum electricity efficiency instead of merely maximising waste throughput.

The Valmet-delivered CFB boiler will burn refuse-derived fuel mainly from municipal and partly from industrial waste to produce steam for a turbine generator.

“For this project, we chose the CFB boiler to ensure fuel flexibility and low emissions and to maximise the plant’s electricity efficiency. The CFB boiler can produce steam for the turbine at a higher pressure and temperature than any other boiler type, and this means a higher electricity yield,” said Orhanen.

The plant will generate around 10 MW of electricity for the Vietnamese national power grid.

“With all the benefits of this new technology, the power station’s profitability and environmental performance will improve significantly. This was also a significant factor for the investor,” he added.

Designed to minimise emissions

The Thang Long WtE plant will incorporate a Valmet Flue Gas Cleaning system and a Valmet DNA Distributed Control System (DCS).

“The entire package is in our hands, including the control of technology. We have robust control, monitoring, protection, optimisation and reporting applications. With scalable architecture, the system provides complete control of all the plant’s processes,” explained Latva-Somppi.

The Valmet Flue Gas Cleaning system provides optimal environmental performance to meet the strictest emissions limits. “In addition to its high efficiency, the CFB boiler offers the advantage of having the lowest combustion emission

levels. We can optimise the flue gas cleaning based on the CFB solution,” he emphasised.

NOx is one of the most significant air pollutants in flue gas. When released into the atmosphere, it causes smog and acid rain, leading to health and environmental hazards.

“We can run the plant at such low emission levels that further NOx reduction – for example, with a catalyst, as is often the case with other competing technologies – is unnecessary,” he confirmed.

“We have semi-dry flue gas

Valmet’s waste-toenergy boiler (WtE) delivery to Thang Long Energy Environment

Joint Stock Company will support the transition to sustainable energy and a green economy in Vietnam.

cleaning and do not need a scrubber, so we avoid the problem of water treatment. Heavy metal emissions are eliminated with activated carbon. The technology allows sulfur and chlorine to be present in the incoming waste. It’s slightly more expensive, but it’s also more efficient.”

The investment aims to support a clean and green economy and to protect Bac Ninh Province’s environment through more sustainable energy production. More information: www.valmet.com

Jouko Latva-Somppi, Director, Heat and Power Plants, Valmet.

The project’s steering group visiting the site in early May.

European Pellet Conference is largest in World

As a CO2-neutral fuel, sustainable bioenergy has a key role to play in decarbonising and securing the supply of energy. This was the focus of the European Pellet Conference 2023, which took place in Wels, Austria, on 1 March as part of World Sustainable Energy Days.

It showed the important role of pellets in responding to the energy crisis and presented the latest trends in markets, policies, technologies and innovations, helping the participants stay on top of developments in the pellet and bioenergy world. With more than 400 participants each year, the European Pellet Conference is the World’s largest annual pellet event.

It started with the strategy session ‘Pellets – clean and climate neutral’, which presented the policy and market context for the clean energy transition and provided insights on how to deal with the current

discussion ‘The future of wood pellets’, leading biomass experts shared their insights on how to separate facts from fiction on topics such as forestry, air quality and sustainability.

Other highlights of the European

Innovation Session’, which showcased cutting-edge developments and R&D results in the pellet and bioenergy sectors; the ‘Start-up Session’, where start-ups presented their innovations for the pellet market; and the ‘World of Pellets Session’, where international

experts offered updates and outlooks on pellet markets around the world.

The next edition of World Sustainable Energy Days will be held on 6-7 March, next year.

More information:

Unique challenges at wind farm project

Aparticularly tricky wind power project by Koehler Renewable Energy in alliance with Qair Deutschland is currently underway in North Hesse, Germany.

The wind farm, which will be located North of the town of Waldeck, will feature five V162 wind turbines. These models are cutting-edge units from the latest generation of wind turbines, with each one delivering up to 6.2 MW. It took countless analyses to get to the point where the definitive locations for the wind turbines were finally set in stone.

On one hand, an extremely complex topography had to be taken into account while adhering to height restrictions. On the other, there is a radar station within range, meaning that only certain specific corridors were available for construction. Even after taking the site into account,

there were other unique challenges involved in the project. One of them was building a transformer station for the wind farm, since routing power cables to the nearest transformer station would have simply not been cost-effective.

The lead time for the transformers required for the site is currently around one and a half to two years due to them being in short supply. This bottleneck means that every individual step in planning and construction must be perfectly in sync with the other steps. The initial preparation work for construction started at the beginning of this year and needed some areas to be temporarily cleared, so that it would be possible to erect the wind turbines. Some of these areas had previously been devastated by dry weather conditions and bark beetle infestations in past years, making it possible to reduce the project’s

impact on the spruce forest.

In order to further compensate for this impact, the company has taken extensive reforestation and other environmental compensation measures. Since the area is in potential hazel dormouse territory, the clearing work had to be done exclusively by hand or with machines working from existing paths, so as not to disturb the dormice, which were hibernating in tree stumps. In addition, this is why stump removal work will not start until mid-May when the dormice are up and about again.

Extensive environmental compensation measures are also being taken for other affected fauna. For instance, bat boxes and birdhouses are being installed in the neighbouring forest stand, small bodies of water are being set up in the forest for amphibians and even the dormice are having their own

dedicated accommodation provided. An area overgrown with blackberry bushes is being turned into a cherry copse, meadows are being extended and wildflower strips are being planted. Among other things, this should provide honey buzzards and red kites with useful hunting grounds. The project’s schedule contemplates one and a half years of construction work. Once the clearing work is completed, the required earth-moving and foundation construction work should start in the late Summer of this year and be completed by the first quarter of 2024 at the latest. The main wind turbine components are then set to be delivered and erected in the Summer of 2024, so that the wind farm can be commissioned in the Winter of 2024/2025.

More information:

www.koehlerrenewableenergy. com

RWE to develop Dogger Bank South

On 19 January, it was announced that RWE had signed Agreements for Lease with The Crown Estate to develop the two offshore wind farm sites known collectively as Dogger Bank South (DBS).

DBS East and DBS West are located over 100 km offshore in the shallow area of the North Sea known as Dogger Bank. Each project could have an installed capacity of up to 1.5 gigawatts (GW) which, when combined, could potentially generate enough clean, green renewable energy to power the equivalent of over three million typical UK homes each year.

Welcoming the signing, Tom Glover, RWE’s UK country chair, said: “RWE is one of the world leaders in offshore wind and the UK plays a key strategic role in the growth of our renewables business and becoming carbon neutral by 2040. With ten offshore wind farms now in operation around the UK, RWE is already a leading partner in delivering clean, home-grown energy and security of electricity supply.

“Dogger Bank South (East) and Dogger Bank South (West) will be our largest offshore wind developments to date. Using our industry expertise pioneered over 20 years in the UK, we plan to maximise this potential for the benefit of local businesses, creating new, high quality, long-term jobs and

supporting new skills development, investing in both the regional and national economies. We are delighted to be able to take the next steps towards realising this important energy project and look forward to working with local people along the way.”

RWE has already spent almost two years developing the project at its own risk in order to fast-track DBS in support of the UK Government’s net zero aspirations. So far, this has

included offshore and onshore studies, collecting metocean data and a series of geophysical and environmental surveys. In July, 2022, RWE submitted the Scoping Report for the DBS projects to the Planning Inspectorate, which then issued a Scoping Opinion in September, 2022.

The results from the Holistic Network Design (HND) process, undertaken by National Grid ESO, were published in July, 2022 ,and identified that connections to the UK

Enersense wind power project progressing as planned

The Yli-Olhava wind-power park project in the municipality of Ii in Northern Finland developed by Enersense Wind Oy, a subsidiary of Enersense, is progressing as planned. By its ruling of 28 February, the Supreme Administrative Court rejected the application for leave to appeal concerning the adoption of the local master plan and it has thus gained legal force.

On 1 February, 2021, the Municipal Council of Ii unanimously

approved the Yli-Olhava wind farm component of the master plan, which allows for the construction of 50 wind power plants in the area. Enersense has leased more than 6,000 hectares of land for the project, which involves more than 100 landowners. The project will be developed in collaboration with Enersense’s French partner, Valorem, and investment is estimated to be in the range of EUR400-500 million. Wind

measurements have been under way for more than two years and the wind conditions in the area are excellent. When completed, the wind farm is estimated to generate more than 1 TWh of electricity or about 1.5% of Finland’s total electricity demand.

“This is a major project of great importance for us and we are pleased that we reached this important milestone and that the project now proceeds to the next

electricity network for both projects would be made to a new National Grid substation at a location near the Creyke Beck National Grid substation. Since then, RWE has been engaged in a process of site selection looking at potential locations to house the onshore electrical infrastructure required to transfer the electricity generated by the wind farms into the UK electricity network.

More information:

www.rwe.com/doggerbanksouth

stages. The project is also of great importance to the municipality of Ii, as the municipality will receive considerable property tax revenue. The wind farm has been estimated to yield annual property tax revenue of over EUR 1.5 million to the municipality of Ii,” said Lauri Lammivaara, Vice-President of Wind Power Development at Enersense.

More information: www.enersense.com

Working together on sustainable targets

In a nutshell, can you tell us what the CircleToZero initiative is all about?

CircleToZero is a global ANDRITZ initiative with the goal of achieving zero emissions and zero waste at the same time as creating financial growth for customers. For pulp and paper producers this means eliminating unused industry side streams, turning them into new value-added products and achieving zero waste and zero emission production.

CircleToZero is not only for pulp and paper industries – we also have the initiative implemented into ANDRITZ’s other business areas including Separation, Metals, and Hydro.

Can you tell us what sort of response ANDRITZ customers are giving to the initiative so far?

The response has been very good so far and many requests are hitting our mailboxes every day. We think that the tremendous response from our customers is due to the fact that our initiative is aligned with their own sustainable targets, which makes mutually beneficial collaboration and proposals work smoothly and easily.

Do you have any examples of projects you are working on already under the initiative?

We are working with a few customers on confidential projects that are aiming to replace various waste streams and turn them into products. For example, at one mill we are working to optimise the water balances to reduce fresh water use and finding ways to use the effluent emissions. We are also working with another customer to introduce new technology to reduce the impact of solid sludge.

Can you tell us about any new business models that you are encouraging as part of CircleToZero?

This is potentially a game-changing area across the industry. We see the initiative as being a stepping stone to employ new ‘win win’ business models with a

range of possible opportunities. As we are working with the customer from the beginning of their challenges, we are able to give advice on various ways to reuse waste or monetize side streams. Also, we are already working on various examples where outside companies are setting up facilities inside pulp mill fences to take advantage of renewable raw material from the pulping process to make new bioproducts.

The pulp and paper industries are a key part of the circular bioeconomy and we are very keen to involve various partners and stakeholders to further increase the size of the sector and create more value chains. The role of CircleToZero is to further strengthen the circular bioeconomy, especially with the further utilisation of side streams. For this to happen, the creation of partnerships with companies outside of the traditional pulp and paper industry is essential.

As a global initiative, can you tell us how you deal with regional variations?

This is a very important question; different regions have different regulations therefore we cannot handle things universally as they are applicable everywhere. However, what we are aiming for is zero emissions and zero waste everywhere. So according to our customers’ locations and needs, we will work with them according to those local regulations, but with the aim of reducing emissions and waste completely.

Can you tell us about the ANDRITZ team that is working within the initiative?

On our team we have several senior development engineers, lifecycle assessment specialists plus business and finance majors. Then we also have various people with project experience. Basically, we have all the skills related to starting with an idea and bringing it to implementation at a mill. Of course, we also have access to the deep knowledge within ANDRITZ when it comes to working with flue gases, solid side streams and liquids.

How do pulp and paper industry producers join the CircleToZero initiative?

We would like customers to come to us directly with the challenges they are facing by e-mailing us at circletozero@andritz.com, or alternatively, contacting their local ANDRITZ office. More information: www.andritz.com

Interview with Naveen Chenna, Head of Business and Technology Development, ANDRITZ

Naveen Chenna, Head of Business and Technology Development, ANDRITZ

Pellets –clean and climate neutral

European Pellet Conference 2023: As a CO2-neutral fuel, sustainable bioenergy has a key role to play in decarbonising and securing our energy supply. Over 400 experts discussed this and more in Wels, Austria. ″It was wonderful to see conference participation back up at pre-corona levels″ , reports Conference Director Christiane Egger.

Separating facts from fiction

In 2023, the European Pellet Conference focussed on the importance of pellets in responding to the energy crisis and highlighted latest trends in markets, policies, technologies and innovations.

The strategy session presented the policy and market context for the clean energy transition and provided input on how to deal with the current challenges. In the panel discussion ″ The future of wood pellets″, leading biomass experts shared their insights on how to separate facts from fiction on topics such as forestry, air quality and sustainability.

The event showcased cutting-edge developments and R&D results in the pellet and bioenergy sectors, and start-ups presented their innovations for the pellet market. Also, international experts offered updates and outlooks on pellet markets around the world.

The largest annual pellet event worldwide

The European Pellet Conference offers a comprehensive package, including the Young Biomass Researchers Conference, a poster presentation, valuable networking opportunities and a major tradeshow on energy efficiency with a strong focus on pellet-related exhibitors (the ″Energiesparmesse″ ).

The event is part of the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED), an international conference on the energy transition and global climate neutrality with over 650 experts from more than 60 countries each year. The WSED is organised by the OÖ Energiesparverband, the energy agency of the Region of Upper Austria.

European Pellet Conference 2024 – Call for Papers & Speakers

The next edition of the event will be held on 6 - 7 March 2024 in Wels/Austria

The deadline for the Call for Papers & Speakers (also for the Young Biomass Researchers Conference) is 10 October 2023. For more information: www.wsed.at

PULP & PAPER ZERO EMISSIONS & ZERO WASTE INITIATIVE

The pulp and paper industries play a key role in the transition and transformation towards a fossil-fuel free circular bioeconomy. By developing circular operations to eliminate unused side streams, and creating new value-added bio-based products, it can be the global leader in zero emissions and zero waste industrial processes.

CircleToZero brings together the continuous development and improvement of existing ANDRITZ technology solutions to achieve this leadership position with clear environmental and financial benefits.

Our shared journey towards zero emissions and zero waste has already started.