Wärtsilä to support Denmark’s fossil-free ambition with two large-scale biogas upgrading plants

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 5 January 2021 at 11 AM EET

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply two large-scale biogas upgrading plants to different locations in Denmark. The order was placed by Nature Energy, the world’s leading biomethane company. By injecting biomethane - the end product of upgraded biogas - to the gas grid, Denmark will be taking an important step towards its stated ambition of becoming a climate neutral and fossil-free nation. The agreement with Wärtsilä dates back to early 2019, but the project was delayed because of permit applications. Production of the upgrading unit has been initiated in the fourth quarter of 2020, when also the orders were included in Wärtsilä’s order book.

Biogas is produced primarily from waste products, such as manure and food waste. When upgraded to biomethane, it can be utilised in the same way as natural gas for heat, powering industrial processes, and as transport fuel. It is a renewable energy solution since the remaining digestate can be sold as bio-fertiliser. Currently biomethane accounts for approximately 20 percent of Denmark’s gas consumption, and the aim is for the grid to become totally green by 2035.

“Wärtsilä Biogas Solutions is a market leader offering innovative systems and lifecycle solutions to the gas value chain. Our biogas upgrading plants are based on Wärtsilä’s Puregas CA technology, an amine scrubber process featuring the lowest operating costs. We have enjoyed a long and constructive relationship with Nature Energy, and are proud to have again been chosen for these latest projects,” commented Arne Jakobsen, General Manager, Biogas Solutions at Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

“The amine scrubber technology is both robust and reliable, providing very low methane slip and cost-effective operating performance. We have worked often with Wärtsilä and are confident, therefore, that the plants will be completed on time and will operate with the usual efficiency,” said Jesper Bundgaard, Executive Vice President at Nature Energy.

The two plants are to be installed in the towns of Kvaers and Kong, with each plant upgrading more than 40 million Nm3 of biogas each year. This will deliver some 470 GWh of green gas energy, equivalent to providing the fuel for more than 45,000 cars. It is expected that the plants will begin injecting biomethane to the Danish gas grid in 2022.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through focus on lifecycle, innovation and digitalization. 

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Image caption: The new biogas upgrading plants to be installed in Kvaers and Kong are similar to the Korskro plant in Denmark, delivered by Wärtsilä in 2018, owned and operated by Nature Energy. © Nature Energy, photographer Claus Haagensen.

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Wärtsilä Marine Systems offers high-quality products, solutions, and lifecycle services related to the gas value chain, exhaust treatment applications, seals & bearings, shaftline repair services, underwater services, and marine electrical integrations. Our aim is to provide the latest and most efficient solutions in line with Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine Ecosystem vision for a safer, better, and more sustainable future for our customers.
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Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
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