General Electric (GE) has been selected by Mechelen-based Belgian Eco Energy (BEE) to build the largest greenfield, 100 percent biomass-fired power plant in the world.
The plant, which will be powered by wood pellets, wood chips and agro residues, will generate approximately 215 megawatts (MW) of cleaner energy for the industry and nearby households reaching over 60 percent efficiency when operating in cogeneration mode.
GE Steam Power Systems will provide the overall design, engineering and construction of the plant and the integration of the in-house critical parts of the power block including the circulating fluidized bed boiler, steam turbine, generator and air quality control systems.
“We are pleased to work with GE on this project and with their approach to focus on optimizing the technical solution for this plant outcome of the plant,” said Michael Corten, CEO, Belgian Eco Energy. “GE’s technology will help us reach the highest net efficiency, reduce operational costs.”
BEE’s new plant also will be fitted with a district heating system of approximately 110 MW thermal energy to supply heating to industries and households in the city of Ghent, Belgium. Commercial operation is planned for 2019.
The supply, which will consist 100% from raw material biomass (wood pellets, woodchips and agro-residues) will come from Atlantic basin, Western Africa and Northern and Southern Europe. Some of these materials will also come from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
The storage facilities include a 5,000m³ silo for the wood pellets, a 2,500m³ silo for the agro pellets and a 15,000m³ covered storage facility for woodchips, all of them delivered via the Ghent-Terneuzen canal.
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