Newsletter/ nawaros®
12/02
Biomass for electricity and heat Bioenergy
village Jühnde
Expert discussion on the clean air directive
Biogas in Triesdorf
Filling stations for biofuels
Biomass on its way
Energy from biomass
"Advanced Bioplastics"
"Super fuel" for future mobility
News from the Competence Centre, Straubing, 30th October
2002
Biomass heats the rooms
Environment and climate
Web ticker
Christmas trees
Biomass for electricity and heat Bioenergy village Jühnde
Jühnde, a village of 800 inhabitants in the rural district
of Gottingen (in the south of Lower Saxony), is going to be the first
German bioenergy village. Before long, straw, wood and biogas from liquid
manure are to produce electricity and heat there. A team from the universities
of Kassel and Gottingen chose the village from among more than 20 applicants.
Essential for this decision was the large amount of agricultural enterprises
in the village; Jühnde's ten full-time farms can provide enough biomass
for the planned facilities: a biogas plant with a district heating plant
and a district heating net.
The project "bionenergy village" is funded by the interdisciplinary centre
for sustainable development of the University of Gottingen (http://www.izne.uni-goettingen.de).
The effects of the use of biomass for agriculture and forestry and for
the environment are examined in this context.
Economic aspects also speak for a change of the energy
supply. As soon as the initial investment is written off, the energy prices
remain stable for a long time. Money is kept in the region, and jobs are
secured. Professor Dr. Konrad Scheffer from the Universtiy of Kassel presented
the bioenergy village on this year's OTTI symposium in Bad Staffelstein.
The village had been "electrified," by the project idea, Scheffer said.
The village population had accepted the challenge and had acquired expert
knowledge. Eight study groups were founded to integrate the village population
into the planning process. The persons actively taking part in this process
reported on many positive effects such as learning experiences regarding
technical and social knowledge, the deepening of personal contacts, making
friends, and an identification with the project idea.
First, the inhabitants who wish to be connected are financially supported but the more people participate, the lesser this burden becomes. The total cost amounts to three to four billion euros. The German government promised a funding up to one third. If the financial consent is given in Berlin, the construction works can be begun next year.
Sources and information: Niedersächsische Landesforstverwaltung
(http://www.forstnds.de/aktuell/pi181001.htm),
3sat Redaktion nano, e-mail: nano@3sat.de
(http://www.3sat.de/nano/cstuecke/34374),
junge Welt of the 7th August 2002 (http://www.jungewelt.de),
Initiative Bioenergiedorf, tel.: +49-69-791-202238, e-mail: info@bioenergiedorf.de
(http://www.bioenergiedorf.de),
Prof. Dr. Konrad Scheffer, University of Kassel, tel.: +49-5542-981545,
conference proceedings of the OTTI-Kolleg, 11th Symposium "Energie aus
Biomasse", 21st/22nd November 2002, p. 273 ff.
Expert discussion on the clean air directive
On the 1st October 2002, the new clean air directive finally came into effect. C.A.R.M.E.N. invited operators, planners, and representatives of the approving authorities to an expert discussion into the educational institution of the Bavarian farmers' association in Herrsching to give information on the new directive. Konrad Mair from the government of Upper Bavaria explained the approval procedure and the emission control requirements for biomass heating plants.
Gerhard Schoeckel from the Landesamt für Umweltschutz (LfU) ('state-level environment agency') in Augsburg reported on the emission properties of solid biomass fuels. Dr. Michael Rössert, also from the LfU, gave a lecture on the disposal and the use of ashes and announced a leaflet on ashes for the Bavarian rural district offices to be published within the next weeks. The design engineering office Kess in Prien reported on experiences with the approval procedure of biomass heating plants. Conference proceedings can soon be obtained from C.A.R.M.E.N. Their appearance will be announced on the internet and in nawaros® in good time.
Information: C.A.R.M.E.N., Dr. Ruth Brökeland, e-mail: rb@carmen-ev.de
Biogas in Triesdorf
An expert meeting on the subject biogas took place in the agricultural educational institution in Triesdorf on the 8th November. Josef Göppel, member of the German Federal Parliament, emphasised the important role of biogas technology for the future energy mix. The main lecture given by Gerhard Huppman from the Motoren- und Turbinen-Union (MTU) in Munich illustrated the activities and the latest developments of stationary fuel technology.
MTU already operates some natural gas-powered prototypes with an electric output of 200 kW. The advantages of this future technology are a high electric efficiency of nearly 50 per cent and an extremely low level of emissions. The type of fuel cell used is suitable for biogas. A high gas purity is required, though. There was a panel discussion between planning offices, manufacturers, operators, and associations on the question "What will the future biogas plant look like?" Engineer Johann Sedlmeier explained the activities of the agricultural educational institution in the field of biogas. Many interested farmers attended the event.
Information: C.A.R.M.E.N., Hubert Maierhofer, e-mail: hm@carmen-ev.de
Filling stations for biofuels
Since July, a list of the biodiesel or vegetable oil filling stations of the Pflanzenölinitiative ('Vegetable Oil Initiative') has been made available on the internet. This current survey on various legal regulations of the German lands was compiled by the Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik ('Institute for Energy and Environment Technology') of the University of Rostock.
The Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe ('Specialised Agency for Renewable Raw Materials') asks everybody planning such a filling station to gather information on the regional particularities. The installation of stationary filling stations for private consumption is funded by the ministries of economics of the German lands through the market launch programme "Biogenic Fuels and Lubricants". From 2003 onwards, funding will again be provided for this programme.
Source and information: Agra-Europe of 29 July 2002, Pflanzenöl-Initiative on the internet under http://www.pflanzenoelinitiative.de.
Biomass on its way
A study of the management consultants Frost & Sullivan clearly shows that the market potential of biomass power plants is expected to improve considerably in Europe, the Near East, and Africa. The most important incentive is the White Paper of the EU of 1997. According to the White Paper, the contribution of renewable energy sources to the EU's gross inland energy consumption has to be at least12 % by 2010. The total capital investment needed to achieve this target is estimated at 165 billion euros of which 85 euros are to be invested in biomass power plants. The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) also sets the biomass sector in motion because it emphasises the significance of agriculture as a supplier of primary materials. In addition to that, there are various national initiatives.
Sources and information: Energie Spektrum, volume 11/2002, strom magazin, news (http://www.strom-magazin.de) of 10 September 2002, WirtschaftsBlatt online (http://www.wirtschaftsblatt.at) of 28 March 2002, Frost and Sullivan (http://www.power.frost.com).
Energy from biomass
On the 21st and 22nd November, the 11th Otti Symposium on the generation of energy from biomass took place in Bad Staffelstein. 235 participants dealt with biomass for heat and energy. Renewable resources were considered in solid, liquid and gaseous form. First, the general political conditions and perspectives of the energetic use of biomass were discussed. The subjects of the lectures of the first day were plant technology, the experiences of operators, marketing and financing. The parallel meeting on gaseous biomass dealt with biogas quality and new technologies for the production and the use of biogas.
On the meeting on vegetable oil not only the supply and quality of vegetable oil but also the logistics and the energetic use of vegetable oil were considered. On the second day, the method of CO2-free heating in the biosphere reservation Entlebuch and the bioenergy village Jühnde were presented. Emissions, legal and macro-economic aspects and further training were the final topics to be dealt with.
Information: OTTI Energie-Kolleg, tel.: +49-941-29688-23,
fax: -17, e-mail: leonore.nanko@otti.de.
The conference proceedings can be obtained through the internet on http://www.boxer99.de
(--> Wissen/Fachliteratur).
"Advanced Bioplastics"
On the occasion of the trade fair BioFach, the Interessenverband der Hersteller und Verarbeiter von Biologisch Abbaubaren Werkstoffen (IBAW) ('Interest Group of the Producers and Processors of Biodegradable Engineering Materials') will be organising an international expert meeting on "Advanced Bioplastics - Performance in Application and Environment" in co-operation with C.A.R.M.E.N. in Nuremberg on the 12th and 13th February 2003. The conference will offer a comprehensive survey on bioplastics. The presentations of representatives from processing, application and trade will be the focus of the programme. The speakers are going to talk about their experiences with the market launch of bioplastic products.
The subjects reach from the special functional properties of biodegradable engineering materials, packagings for ecological foodstuffs and service packagings to agricultural films and textiles. An parallel exhibition is being organised to run alongside the conference. It will provide information on product news. The conference appeals to the processors and users of plastics, to traders, to users of catering articles, to manufacturers and distributors of eco-products, and to the packaging industry.
Information and registration: http://www.ibaw-symposium.com and at Iris Garlipp, tel: +49-30-28482352, e-mail: symposium@ibaw.org.
"Super fuel" for future mobility
On the workshop "CO2-Neutral Ways of Future Mobility" at the Forschungsvereinigung Verbrennungskraftmaschinen ('Research Association for Combustion Engines') in Frankfurt, Onno Syassen presented his ideas for mobility challenges in the future. While bioethanol is mainly produced in subtropical regions suited for the cultivation of sugar cane, in our (climatically cooler) regions biodiesel is made from rapeseed.
Biodiesel offers an enormous potential for the reduction of engine emissions. The soot emissions of normal diesel engines are already considerably reduced using biodiesel. By an optimisation of the engines this reduction can even be increased. Biodiesel is too good to be only added to fossil diesel fuel. It must be the target to make use of the specific advantages of the "super diesel". Further efforts are necessary for controlling and improving the quality.
Information and source: Dr.-Ing. E.h. Onno Syassen, Mühlweg 55, D-69502 Hemsbach, tel. and fax: +49-6201-75945.
News from the Competence Centre, Straubing, 30th October 2002
The Technologie- und Förderzentrum (TFZ) ('Technology and Promotion Centre') in the Competence Centre for Renewable Raw Materials in Straubing celebrated the first doctor's degree obtained there. The agricultural engineer Edgar Remmele passed his doctoral examination. The focus of his doctoral thesis was on questions around the properties and the quality of rapeseed oil as a fuel for diesel engines that are suited for vegetable oil.
His studies contributed to the fact that a standard of quality for rapeseed oil as a fuel has been in existence since May 2000 - similar to the standards for diesel fuel and biodiesel. The project was funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Dr. Edgar Remmele is going to continue working in the field of the technology of renewable resources. However, he and his colleagues will be doing their research work on the previous site in Freising until the completion of the new building of the technical school in Straubing .
Information: TFZ, tel.: +49-9421-300-001, fax: -211, e-mail: poststelle@tfz.bayern.de.
Biomass heats the rooms
On the 3rd December, the Bavarian Minister of Agriculture, Josef Miller, officially put the biomass heating plant in Bayreuth into operation. The boiler with an output of 800 kW is annually fuelled with 1,100 tons of natural wood from the region. Apart from the school centre as the main consumer, it provides various further buildings with heat. On the 16th December, the biomass heating plant in Bad Endorf was officially taken into service. At the beginning of the new year, on the 8th January, the biomass heating plant in Monheim is going to start operating.
Information: C.A.R.M.E.N.
Environment and climate
Forschung für den Klimaschutz ('Research Work for Climate Protection') is the title of a publication of the German Ministry of Education and Research of August, 2002. It is a survey of all research activities on climate protection that are presently funded. Information: The publication can be obtained from the Ministry; public relations department: tel: +49-1805-2623-02, fax: -03, e-mail: books@bmbf.bund.de. It can also be downloaded as a PDF file from the site: http://www.bmbf.de/pub/forschung_fuer_den_klimaschutz.pdf.
The brochure Umweltdaten Deutschland 2002 ('German Environmental Data 2002') provides information on trends in the fields of climate protection, conservation of natural resources, and waste avoidance. Information: The brochure can be obtained from the Umweltbundesamt (UBA) (i.e. the German federal environment office), Zentraler Antwortdienst (ZAD), Bismarckplatz 1, D-14193 Berlin, fax: +49-30-89 03-2912, and is also available for download from http://www.umweltbundesamt.de.
Web ticker
http://www.nawaro-hessen.de is an internet platform on renewable raw materials. It is being maintained and looked after by the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry of the German land of Hesse within the framework of the state initiative Hessen-Media at the University of Gießen.
A web site on aspects of nature conservation with information on research activities was developed in Hesse, too (http://www.naturschutz-forschung.de). It was also initiated by the Ministry of the Environment of Hesse, financially supported by the initiative Hesse-Media and compiled by the Akademie für Natur- und Umweltschutz e.V. ('Academy for Nature and Environment Protection, registered association').
The parent organisation of the scientific associations of agricultural, silvicultural, nutritional, veterinary and environmental research looks after the portal http://www.agrarforschung.de. It offers a survey of agricultural research work.
The web site http://www.energietour-rlp.de informs on energy-optimised building. It has been developed with the aid of the Ministry of the Environment of the German land of Rhineland-Palatinate.
On http://www.energie.de, the company MVV Energie GmbH in Mannheim does not only offer an address list of enterprises but also many articles on the subjects of energy, energy law, energy politics, energy economy, and energy technology.
Further training on the subject of energy is offered by the Energieagentur NRW ('Energy Agency of North Rhine-Westphalia') at the portal http://www.wissensportal-energie.de.
Sustainability is considered as the guideline for promising future developments. A dictionary and expert opinions on this subject are to be found on the internet page of the foundation Kathy Beys in Aix-la-Chapelle (http://nachhaltigkeit.aachener-stiftung.de). The foundation is devoted to the interface between ecology and economy.
Christmas trees
The majority of the Christmas trees offered in Germany comes from Scandinavia, but there are alternatives from domestic forests, e.g. Norway spruce or Scots pine. Bavarian forest enterprises and nursery gardens are to be found on the web site (http://www.bayer-christbaum.de) of the Bayerischer Waldbesitzerverband ('Bavarian Association of Forestry Owners'). Ecological Christmas trees can be identified by the Naturland-Siegel ('nature land seal') or the international certificate of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Further information on the internet on http://www.robin-wood.de.
How about a natural look this year? You could for example decorate your domestic Christmas tree with biscuits, apples, nuts, little beeswax or wooden figures.
Source and further information: http://www.br-online.de/umwelt-gesundheit/thema/oeko_weihnachten/baum.shtml.
The editorial staff of nawaros® now would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2003!
