7 MWe CHP in 8.5 ha illuminated and traditional growth
Marc Pittoors will use the generated electricity to power the greenhouse artificial lighting and the heat extracted from exhaust gases and engine cooling systems to heat up the facility. In addition, cleaned engine exhaust gases will be injected into the greenhouse to increase the level of CO2 and boost plant growth.
Marc Pittoors, CEO of T.B.M.P said: “For our tomato producing company, three factors were crucial in taking this decision: electrical efficiency (best in the current market), expertise (Rolls-Royce developed a gas engine in the early 90s and was the pioneer in lean-burn technology) and optimum heat balance (5 hectares of greenhouse space are illuminated and 3.5 hectares are not).” Paul Hovius of PaCHov Consultancy conducted the sales and contract negotiations for this first CHP equipped with the new Bergen in-line engine.
“The greenhouse market is very important for us, and it’s a pleasure to sign a contract with a highly professional customer for this new generation of gas engines,” said Jeff Elliott, managing director of Bergen Engines, a fully-owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems and supplier of medium-speed engines.
Rolls-Royce will be supplying the complete CHP plant for this greenhouse, consisting of the power generator sets, the exhaust gas systems including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and heat exchangers, and the electronic control system. In total, the technology achieves efficiency rates of more than 96%. Rolls-Royce has many years of experience with CHP plants and has since 2005 delivered 52 CHP plants with a total installed capacity of 270 MWe for greenhouses in Holland, Belgium, Russia and the UK.
For more information:
www.rrpowersystems.com