Newsletter/ nawaros®
10/03
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Technical College of Amberg
Biomass Heating Station Altdorf
Biogas in Fuel Cells
Twelfth Otti Symposium
Ford Counts on Renewable Raw Materials
News from the Competence Centre, September 28th, 2003: Open
Day
Compostability Label
Litter from the Sea
Plates Made of Pollard
Regular Get-Togethers for Those Dealing With Biogas
Energy Efficiency
Ecovas Plant Pot
Price Index September
Technical College of Amberg, Weiden in Charge of a Project
within the Framework of the High-Tech Offensive for the Future of Bavaria
Under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Brautsch,
the Technical College of Amberg Weiden and numerous companies of the Upper
Palatinate are working on the research and development project "Integrated
Supply and Waste Management Concepts for Houses of the German Alpine Club
(DAV)". The project has got a total volume of one million euros,
is planned for four years and expected to be completed by the end of the
year 2004.
In the ecologically highly sensitive alpine area, approximately 12,000
managed houses are situated remote from conventional service mains but
have to be supplied with energy. Particularly the electricity supply is
often based upon water-endangering heating oil. In order to promote the
sustainable development of alpine houses, five exemplary objects in five
ecologically completely different ecospheres were chosen: Glorer Hütte,
Riemann-Haus, Hindelanger Alpenhof, Klosterthaler Hütte, and Weidener
Hütte. An individual solution was developed for each house.
The main focus of the project was the development and testing of innovative
technologies by means of an intense co-operation of all project partners.
It was the target in the field of energy supply to do without the use
of heating oil. First, the current statuses of the houses' energy and
materials flows were recorded. Afterwards, hybrid solutions were projected,
planned, and installed. These solutions partly based on energy sources
such as wind, sun, or water power. Suitably adapted vegetable oil-fired
district heating power plants were used in combination with other regenerative
energy carriers. Reliable systems were installed on the spot and subsequently
underwent continuous operation tests.
This procedure yielded important findings for the analyses of critical
points, the evaluations of economic efficiency, and the marketing strategies
of the participating companies.
The project has already lead to many positive results: The technologies
used gave proof of their excellent ecological compatibility. In the Technical
College of Amberg, the students could be integrated into applied research.
For the participating companies, new sales and export markets could be
made out in Denmark, China, Scotland, Ireland, and Jordan. In the partner
companies of the Upper Palatinate, jobs were secured or newly created.
Therefore, it would be desirable to continue the project beyond the year
2004.
Information about the project: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Brautsch (project
manager), Technical College of Amberg-Weiden, Tel.: +49-9621-482-228,
e-mail: m.brautsch@fh-amberg-weiden.de;
project partners: company Weigel Energietechnik, company Grammer Solar
und Bau, company Elsbett Technologie GmbH, company EST, company Grimm,
company EPAS, ATZ-EVUS, ISET-Kassel, ISE-Freiburg, DAV ('German Alpine
Club'), department "Hütten und Wege", Munich, Germany.
On September 5th, 2003, the biomass heating station in
Altdorf in the rural district of Nuremberg was officially put into operation
by the Bavarian Minister of Agriculture, Josef Miller. The heating station
now provides a grammar school, a secondary school, two gyms, and a special
needs institution (the "Rummelsberger Anstalten") with environment-friendly
heat.
The core of the plant is a biomass-heated boiler with an output of 750
kW. In the second stage of construction, a second 750 kW boiler will be
added to heat the indoor swimming pool. After the completion of the construction
works, 1,100 tons of natural forest and left-over wood from the region
are to be combusted in the plant. So the heating station annually saves
370,000 litres of heating oil and approximately 1,000 tons of fossil CO2.
The plant was funded with 630,000 euros by the Free State of Bavaria.
The total investment amounts to 1.7 million euros. The operator is the
Biomasse Energie Gesellschaft Altdorf GmbH & Co. KG.
Information: C.A.R.M.E.N. compiled a brochure "Biomasseheizwerk Altdorf"
(only available in German). It can be ordered free of charge.
Biogas in Fuel Cells
In February 2002, the joint research project "Biogas
in Fuel Cells" was started. The object of research is the treatment
of biogas for the use in fuel cells. On September 17th, 2003, the interim
results were presented in the biogas plant of the Plank family in Inhausen.
Ulrich Schmack, the chairman of the board of the company Schmack Biogas
AG, and Dr. Doris Schmack, the head of the research and development department,
presented the results. Among the guests were Alexander Müller, the
undersecretary of state of the German Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection,
Food, and Agriculture, Hans-Josef Fell, member of the German parliament
and the speaker for research policy of the parliamentary group of the
Green Party, and Ruth Paulig, the leader of the parliamentary group of
the Green Party in the Bavarian parliament.
Schmack said that technical procedures for the purification of biogas
up to the quality of natural gas already existed, but that they often
were not sufficient and too expensive. Raw biogas was for example polluted
with gases that were damaging to fuel cells. This had prevented an adequate
use up until then. The most important interim result was the detection
of a combination of different procedures for achieving a sufficient purification
at clearly lower expenses than so far, Schmack explained.
The partners of the research project are mtu CFC Solutions GmbH, Ottobrunn,
producing the test stack of the fuel cell type Hot Module, and Rent-a-Scientist
GmbH, Regensburg. The project with a total volume of nearly 800,000 euros
is supported by the Agency of Renewable Resources (FNR), Gülzow,
and E.ON Energie AG, Munich. The positive results prompted the undersecretary
of state, Müller, to inform those present about the extension of
the project and the increase of the funding means.
Information: Schmack Biogas AG, Markus Ott, Tel.: +49-9431-751-286, e-mail:
Markus.Ott@schmack-biogas.com.
Twelfth Otti Symposium
The twelfth Otti Symposium "Energy from Biomass"
takes place in Bad Staffelstein on October 20th and 21st, 2003. On the
first day, there are three thematic blocks - biogas, liquid fuels, and
solid fuels - covering aspects of quality and quality control. Not only
improved technologies for a more efficient conversion of energy and experiences
with plant technology and the use of regenerative energies will be dealt
with but also questions of financing and economic efficiency.
On the second day, excursions are on the schedule. Participants who are
specialised in solid fuels, are invited to visit the cellulose and paper
and packaging factory Rosenthal GmbH & Co KG in Blankenstein and the
biomass-fired heating station in Neustadt/Coburg. Those interested in
biogas can visit a biogas plant in Rieth. Participants dealing with solid
fuels can make an excursion to the brewery Neumarkter Lammsbräu in
Neumarkt and to the oil press Plankmühle in Plankstetten.
Information and registration: Otti Energie-Kolleg, Heike Trum, Tel.: +49-941-29688-24,
Fax: -17, e-mail: heike.trum@otti.de
(http://www.otti.de).
Ford Counts on Renewable Raw Materials
Ford uses cotton, flax, hemp, wood, and jute for the construction
of cars. By its own account, the enterprise used 26,800 tons of renewable
raw materials for the production of European cars in the year 2002.
Early in 2003, Ford was able to prove with the study "Model U"
that various products can be made of renewable raw materials. The model,
an environment-friendly hybrid vehicle, consists of regenerative or recyclable
materials. The tyres and the folding top were developed on the basis of
maize. There is filling material made of soybean fibres in the seats and
in the tailgate. The engine is lubricated with sunflower oil. Further
components were made of polyactiden, a biopolymer on the basis of maize.
As long ago as 1942, Henry Ford presented a car to journalists that consisted
completely of renewable raw materials. This tradition is recollected in
the production of modern models. The hat racks of the Ford Mondeo consist
of polypropylen (PP) and wood fibres. The inside panels of the car doors
are made of PP which is reinforced with kenaf fibres. The door elements
of the Ford Focus are to one third reinforced with flax fibres. In many
ford models, recycled cotton is used for insulation.
Renewable raw materials were used in more than 160 components of European
Ford models in the past year.
Source and information: http://www.sonnenseite.com,
http://www.wunschauto24.com.
News from the Competence Centre, September 28th, 2003: Open Day
In the course of the "European Biomass Days of the
Regions", there was an Open Day in the Competence Centre for Renewable
Raw Materials on Sunday, September 28th, 2003.
The three pillars of the Competence Centre, the Technical University of
Munich and the Technical College of Weihenstephan, the Technology and
Support Centre ("Technologie- und Förderzentrum, TFZ"),
and C.A.R.M.E.N., presented the whole range of renewable raw materials.
In the Training and Exhibition Centre ("Schulungs- und Ausstellungszentrum,
SAZ"), the permanent exhibition "Renewable Raw Materials - From
Plant to Application" and the presentation of firing installations
with about 90 exhibits could be visited. In the laboratories of the Technical
University of Munich, ingredients were extracted from plants. More than
500 guests seized the opportunity to get information on the Competence
Centre.
Compostability Label
At the end of July, the Dutch Keurmerk Institute concluded
a contract on the co-operation with German DIN CERTCO for the certification
of compostable products. Now, producers of both countries are able to
use the same certification system and the same compostability label.
Information: Dutch producers can obtain information by contacting the
Gesellschaft für Konformitätsbewertung GmbH (DIN CERTCO) in
Berlin, or the Keurmerkinstitut, Jan van der Heydenstraat 50, 2665 JA
Bleiswijk, Netherlands, e-mail: post@keurmerk.nl
Litter from the Sea
Flotsam and jetsam washed ashore are a nuisance to tourists
at the Baltic Sea and municipal administrations have to pay a lot of money
for their disposal. However, this nuisance can even bring money as a raw
material. Five years ago, the head of the administrative authority of
Klützer Winkel came across a diploma thesis on seagrass written at
the Technical College of Wismar. And the thesis was worth reading: Now
a plant for the treatment of seagrass unique in Europe was put into operation
in Grundshaben close to Klütz. This plant desilts the seagrass, also
shredding and drying it. The results are long and short fibres which can
be processed into insulating mats used in house building or into pellets
used for animal hygiene.
These seagrass pellets are purely vegetable. Used as cat litter, they
are odour-eliminating and have got a good absorptive capacity. The litter
can easily be composted or disposed of in the biobin.
The "Environment Prize of the Parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
in Memory of Ernst Boll 2001/2002" was recently awarded to the local
authority of Klützer Winkel for the innovative idea to dispose of
seagrass and algae by utilising these materials.
Source and information: http://www.life-seegras.de/english/english.html
Plates Made of Pollard
In Poland, Biotrem® produces biodegradable tableware
that consists completely of pollard, the "packing" of wheat.
The tableware is coated with vegetable wax and is neither deformed by
hot meals nor does it conduct the heat of the dishes to the hands.
Information: Biotrem Sp. z.o.o, ul. Suwalska 27 A, 11-500 Gizycko, Poland,
Tel./Fax: +48 874282010, e-mail: p.wysocki1@biotrem.com.pl
(http://www.biotrem.com.pl)
Regular Get-Togethers for Those Dealing With Biogas
The recently founded regional group of the
German Biogas Association in Lower Bavaria and C.A.R.M.E.N. have now created
a regular get-together for all those interested in biogas. The first meeting
takes place on November 11th, 2003, in the inn "Zur Post" in
Landau/Isar. The get-together is intended as a meeting place for beginners
and old hands alike in order to exchange experiences. Invited are operators
of biogas plants and all those interested in the region.
The first three meetings are on: November 11th, 2003; January 13th, 2004;
March 9th, 2004.
Questions: C.A.R.M.E.N, Robert Wagner, e-mail: rw@carmen-ev.de
Energy Efficiency
The "Guide for the Modernisation of Energy
Systems" of the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) ('German Energy Agency'),
Berlin, contains comprehensive information about the energy-efficient
maintenance and modernisation of buildings.
The 60-page brochure in German language can be downloaded at no charge
on the internet under: http://www.deutsche-energie-agentur.de
Ecovas Plant Pot
The biodegradable Ecovas plant pot consists
of a novel material made of a bioplymer of renewable raw materials by
means of injection-moulding. In terms of stability and elasticity, the
pot compares to a polypropylene pot and can be machine-filled.
Information and purchase: GroenCeratie, Binnenweg 4, 9772 Wannegem-Lede,
Belgium, Tel./Fax: +32 93837249, e-mail: info@groencreatie.be
(http://www.groencreatie.be).
Price Index September
C.A.R.M.E.N. asked manufacturers and producers about
their prices in September. These are the mean values:
- vegetable oil: 0.66 euros/l
- wood pellets: 183.03 euros/t.
