Newsletter/ nawaros^® 11/03

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Content

Oberhaching Counts on Bioheat
Biomass Used at Ising Estate
C.A.R.M.E.N Online
Expert Discussion on Biobags
Wood as a Source of Energy
Great Interest in Biogas Plants
CO₂ in Gardening
All About Pellets
Fusion of KfW and DtA
Energy Award 2004
Biogas Treatment
Biogas in Appenfelden

Oberhaching Counts on Bioheat
Opening of a Cogeneration Plant Unique in Europe

On October 11th, 2003, a new biomass-fuelled cogeneration plant was put into operation in Oberhaching close to Munich. All those involved and the general public were invited to the official opening ceremony that took place in the course of a "Citizens' Day". The project "Bioheat on the Kyberg" does not only deal with wood but also with vegetable oil and solar energy. Oberhaching's mayor, Stefan Schelle, called it pioneering and unique in Europe.

Dr. Ruth Brökeland, C.A.R.M.E.N., congratulated the municipality and presented a wooden locomotive to the operators of the cogeneration plant. "This engine symbolises a project that advances the use of renewable raw materials. It will hopefully be followed by many others," Dr. Brökleand said. The core of the plant is a 845 kW biomass boiler that annually combusts up to 1,700 tons of wood chips from domestic forestry and landscape care in a CO2-neutral way. If this output was to be achieved by means of fossil natural gas, 378,100 m³ of this fuel would annually be needed.

The atmosphere would have to put up with an additional emission of 920 tons of fossil carbon dioxide. The standby and peak load boiler is supplied with regional rapeseed oil. Solar cells on the roof of the plant generate environment-friendly electricity. The effective heat reaches the consumers in the form of hot water (70 to 95°C) via a district heating network. The secondary school, the grammar school with a gym, the town hall, the municipal library, a kindergarten, the appliance room of the fire brigade, the parish hall, and some private consumers along the supply line are connected to the plant.

The total investment cost amounted to approximately 1.6 million euros and received a 477,600 euros subsidy from the Free State of Bavaria. C.A.R.M.E.N. offers a free brochure about the biomass-fuelled cogeneration plant Oberhaching.

Information: C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., Dr. Ruth Brökeland, e-mail: rb@carmen-ev.de and municipality of Oberhaching, Tel.: +49-89-61377-0, e-mail: postmaster@oberhaching.de (http://www.oberhaching.de). Pictures of the plant are to be found on the internet under Aktuelles -> Presse -> Pressebilder -> Biomasse-Heizwerk Oberhaching

On October 31st, 2003, a new biomass-fuelled heating station was officially opened at Ising estate, a conference and leisure hotel in Chieming on Lake Chiem in Bavaria. A central 900 kW biomass boiler connected to a 800 metres district heating network supplies all buildings of the estate and a school's country hostel with heat. In case of maintenance works and for meeting peak load demands, an existing oil boiler is kept ready in the house "Salzburg".

97 per cent of the annual heat requirements are covered by approximately 1,100 tons of biomass. About half of the required biomass is horse bedding. The remaining fuel demand consists of equal amounts of wood chips, wood scraps from sawmills, and material from landscape care. In the past, the required heat was supplied by eleven boiler plants in ten buildings. "The biomass heating plant at Ising estate has got the first facility funded by the Free State of Bavaria that is approved for the combustion of horse bedding so far," project manager Dr. Brökeland explains. C.A.R.M.E.N. offers a free brochure about the heating plant. The fundable investment cost totals 838,324 euros with 35 per cent being funded by the Free State of Bavaria.

Further information: C.A.R.M.E.N., Dr. Ruth Brökeland, e-mail: rb@carmen-ev.de

C.A.R.M.E.N Online

C.A.R.M.E.N.'s internet presence (http://www.carmen-ev.de) has got a new look. The rapid development of the internet made an adjustment to modern web standards necessary.
C.A.R.M.E.N. has been present on the world wide web for five years now and the range of information around renewable raw materials has been steadily expanded. Thus, a large part of the present state of knowledge about renewable raw materials is available online.

Expert Discussion on Biobags

The separate collection of biowaste is important. In winter, however, the biowaste freezes in the bin. In summer, problems with odour, hygiene, or maggots can arise. Compostable bags for the biobin made of biodegradable bioplastics are helpful. They are more tear-resistant than paper and facilitate the hygienic collection.

In December, C.A.R.M.E.N. is going to start a series of information events on the subject "Compostable Starch Bags for Municipal Biowaste Collection". On the occasion of the "Straubing Model Project" which started in May 2003 and because of the aspired standardised labelling of compostable biobags, the progress in the development of this product group will be presented. Practical experiences from two rural districts and reports by composting and fermentation experts will complete the programme. Attendance is free of charge. It is, however, necessary to register with C.A.R.M.E.N. by November 25th, 2003.

Information and registration: C.A.R.M.E.N., Dr. Bettina Schmidt, e-mail: bs@carmen-ev.de

Wood as a Source of Energy

C.A.R.M.E.N. invites heating engineers and all those interested from Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate to take part in the expert discussion "Heating with Wood - Decentralised and Central Heat Supply of Buildings by Means of Biomass". The event will be taking place in the Schulungs- und Ausstellungszentrum (SAZ) ('Training and Exhibition Centre') in Straubing, Schulgasse 18, on November 28th, 2003.

There will also be the opportunity of visiting the comprehensive boiler exhibition with about 100 firing installations on the ground floor of the SAZ.
The attendance of the expert discussion is free of charge but registration with C.A.R.M.E.N. is necessary by November 21st, 2003.

Further information: C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., Dr. Ruth Brökeland, e-mail: rb@carmen-ev.de

Great Interest in Biogas Plants

On October 15th, 2003, C.A.R.M.E.N. organised the expert discussion "Biogas Plants - Ways of Financing and New Models of Plant Operating" in Straubing. More than 70 participants, among them present and future biogas plant operators, employees of banks, associations, manufacturers, and project workers as well as interested persons seized the opportunity to get information and discuss the subject.

Further information and questions: Robert Wagner, e-mail: rw@carmen-ev.de

CO₂ in Gardening

The study group "CO2-Reducing and CO2-Neutral Energy Generation" of the Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft (KTBL) ('Board of Trustees for Technology and Construction Engineering in Agriculture') from Bonn met on C.A.R.M.E.N.'s premises in Straubing on October 15th and 16th, 2003.
C.A.R.M.E.N. project manager Dr. Ruth Brökeland is a member of this study group the main focus of which is the reduction of CO2-emissions in horticulture.

The group of seven made an excursion to the biomass heating station in Mitterfels and to the most important heat consumer there, the market garden and flower shop Blumen Hiendl. The energy supply concept in Mitterfels is a pilot model in Germany. First, the manager of the Biomasseheizwerk Mitterfels GmbH, Josef Simmel, presented the heating station. Since October 1997, a biomass boiler with a nominal output of 850 kW and a heating oil boiler that can be switched on if required have been supplying the state forest authority, the vocational college, the primary and secondary schools, the open-air and the indoor swimming pool, various other buildings, and the market garden Hiendl with environment-friendly heat via a district heating network.

After a series of problems with the old oil-fired central heating, the heating system of Blumen Hiendl had to be modernised, horticulturist Sigrun Hiendl explained to the experts of the study group. Since October 2000, the family company has been obtaining heat for more than 4,000 square metres of greenhouse floor space from an inconspicuous metal cupboard in the cellar, the transfer station of the district heating network. The old oil boiler is still standing next to it. "It is just reassuring to know that the greenhouses can be heated with oil in case of emergency, but this has not happened so far," senior boss Georg Hiendl smiles.

Further information: C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., Dr. Ruth Brökeland, e-mail: rb@carmen-ev.de

All About Pellets

The C.A.R.M.E.N. publication "Wood Pellets and Wood Pellet Fired Heating Appliances - Guide and Product Catalogue" (in German) is now available as revised and enlarged fourth edition.
C.A.R.M.E.N. authors Gilbert Krapf (guide) and Sabine Kreupl (product catalogue) compiled an up-to-date 248-page reference book providing information about technology, emissions, products, and suppliers. Apart from general basics on heating with wood, the first part of the file - the guide - explains the properties of wood pellets and presents a pelletising plant in an exemplary manner.
The form of a file was deliberately chosen in order to assure a regular adjustment to the dynamic market trend of pellets. The product catalogue can be can downloaded at no charge on the internet.
The file can be ordered from C.A.R.M.E.N. at a price of 22.- euros plus VAT and postage and packing.
Further information: C.A.R.M.E.N., Gilbert Krapf, e-mail: gk@carmen-ev.de

Fusion of KfW and DtA

For a better use of synergy effects and for getting a more efficient funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and business start-ups, Deutsche Ausgleichsbank (DtA) (German Equalisation Bank) and Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) (Reconstruction Loan Corporation) have merged in July 2003. The newly created KFW Group is divided into KfW-Mittelstandsbank and KfW-Bankgruppe.
KfW-Mittelstandsbank (KfW SME Bank) offers financing for business start-ups, SMEs, and the self-employed. KfW-Bankgruppe (KfW Bank Group) offers promotional programmes for communal infrastructure investments, educational and social programmes, and environmental projects.

Deutsche Ausgleichsbank was founded on May 12th, 1950, as Vertriebenen Bank AG (Expellees' Bank) in order to facilitate the economic integration of expellees and refugees into the young Federal Republic of Germany by means of capital investment loans. Even if the bank's name has changed several times during its fifty years of existence - its main task of promoting company founders has remained.
KfW officially started business in 1948, even before the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany. One of its major tasks was the financing of reconstruction projects in Germany after WW II, for example from Marshall Plan funds. In Germany, KfW today mainly promotes SMEs, housing construction and communal infrastructure projects. Abroad, KfW deals with export and project finance and development co-operation.

Sources and information: KfW-Mittelstandsbank, Tel.: +49-1801-241124, e-mail: infocenter@kfw-mittelstandsbank.de (http://www.kfw-mittelstandsbank.de); KfW-Bankgruppe, Tel: +49-1801-335577, e-mail: info@kfw.de (http://www.kfw.de)

Energy Award 2004

"Into the Future with New Energy" is the motto of the Bavarian Energy Award for the year 2004. The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport, and Technology invites entries to this award for the fourth time. It is to serve as motivation for innovations in the fields of energy engineering, the use of economic potentials, and the environment-oriented use of resources.
Applications are possible until January 26th, 2004. As in the years 1999, 2000, and 2002, a wide range of applicants is addressed: Developers, planners, producers, and operators. Both individuals and teams can apply for the award.
The entry documents can be obtained from chambers and associations and form further institutions that may propose potential candidates such as for example Bayern Innovativ or C.A.R.M.E.N. (for the sector of agriculture). Entries can be submitted to these organisations, too.

Biogas Treatment

Whether biogas is converted into electricity in engines, mircro gas turbines, or fuel cells, whether it is fed into the gas grid or sold as fuel - a treatment of the biogas will be necessary in any case. The Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR) (Agency of Renewable Resources) organised an expert discussion on this topic in co-operation with FAL (Federal Agricultural Research Centre), Braunschweig, on June, 17th/18th, 2003. The conference proceedings have now been published.

Editor: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR), Hofplatz 1, 18276 Gülzow, Germany, Tel.: +49-3843-6930-0; Fax: -102; e-mail: info@fnr.de (http://www.fnr.de)

Biogas in Appenfelden

For economic and ecological reasons, a collective biogas plant was built in Appenfelden (Oberscheinfeld). Cattle slurry and poultry droppings are used there for the generation of electricity and heat. By means of this plant, the full-time farmers Hans-Michael Binder from Appenfelden and Peter Ullrich from Kirchrimbach wish to enhance the sustainability of their farms. For this purpose they founded the Bio-Energie-Netzwerk Steigerwald (Bioenergy Network Steigerwald) and a partnership under the Civil Code.
Due to the sand the chickens eat together with their food, poultry droppings make great demands on pumps, agitators, and blending systems. Because of the animals' bad food conversion, the manure is rich in energy and ideally suitable for the production of biogas. The biogas plant is located in the immediate vicinity of the town and provides six detached houses with thermal energy via a 300-metres heating network.
Within the framework of the "Integrated Concept for Renewable Raw Materials in Bavaria", the Free State of Bavaria funded 30% of the fundable cost of the biogas plant. The total investment cost amounted to 797,000 euros.

Information: C.A.R.M.E.N. compiled a free brochure on the biogas plant Appenfelden