September 1, 2009

Top Plants: Royal Pride Holland Commercial Greenhouse Cogeneration Plant, Middenmeer, North Holland Province, Netherlands

Angela Neville, JD

Using CO₂ from Engine Exhaust Gases as Fertilizer

The power and heat created by the Jenbacher cogeneration system for the Royal Holland greenhouse are used in various ways. The electricity provides power for the greenhouse’s artificial lighting, and surplus electricity is delivered to the local grid. The thermal power efficiently meets the greenhouse’s heating requirements. Meanwhile, CO₂ from the engines’ exhaust gas is captured and used as a plant fertilizer.

The plant is equipped with GE’s Jenbacher cogeneration – CO₂ fertilization system, which purifies the engines’ exhaust. It allows the gas to be recycled in the greenhouse as a special fertilizer to help boost crop production — an environmentally preferable alternative to venting the gas into the atmosphere.

Energy and Emissions Savings

Royal Pride Holland’s cogeneration process reduces the facility’s fossil fuel consumption. For example, it can avoid primary energy input equivalent to the energy contained in more than 64,000 barrels of oil, according to Kramp. He also pointed out that during an average year, the facility emits 14% less CO₂ than would be emitted by the separate production of heat and electricity.

"These calculations are based on performance of two natural gas – fired J624 CHP units, operating 8,000 hours/year, compared to separate production of heat by a gas boiler and the delivery of electricity on the European grid," he said.

—Angela Neville, JD is POWER’s senior editor.