Generating environmentally-friendly energy from biomass
Mannheim Biomass Power Plant began operating in 2003 and specialises in incinerating waste and non-recyclable timber. The plant is able to incinerate all categories of waste timber. Prior to incineration, the timber is treated and turned into wood pellets at a proprietary treatment plant.
Timber: a valuable commodity
Biomass power plants form a particular focus of our activities. After all, biomass – with its inherent energy potential – can act as a valuable commodity within a closed-loop climate-friendly cycle. By operating our biomass power plants, we are meeting our responsibility towards society in terms of promoting the use of renewable energies. Together with our energy from waste activities, we are thus contributing significantly to putting resources to sustainable use and building a climate-friendly energy supply.
High efficiency rates achieved with spreader-suspension type firing
The power plants in Mannheim work with spreader-suspension type firing. The heating energy generated by incinerating the biomass turns the water in the boiler into steam. This powers a turbine, which produces the electricity via a generator. The ash resulting from incineration is put to environmentally-friendly use as a material in road construction and landscaping.
Market integration of renewable energies
With the market premium model, the Federal Ministry of the Environment introduced an alternative model for marketing green electricity at the beginning of 2012. On this basis, we take due account of the respective situation and demand levels and integrate the electricity generated at our biomass power plants directly into the market.
Facts and figures at a glance
Approval | 17th Federal Immissions Protection Ordinance |
Subsidy period (under Renewable Energies Act) | 20 years |
Launch of operations | 2003 |
Timber types | AI – AIV timbers |
Firing | Travelling grate with spreader-suspension firing |
Storage capacity | approx. 5,000 Mg |
Annual throughput | 140,000 Mg/a |
Treatment capacity | 50 Mg/h |
Reported calorific value | 15,400 kJ/kg |
Electricity production | 160,000 MWh/a |
Personnel | Power plant: 15 employees Treatment plant: 10 employees |