Transition from Base Load to Flex Operation: MWM Partner Agrarservice Lass GmbH Installs Additional Cogeneration Power Plant for Oebelitz Biogas Plant

Transition from Base Load to Flex Operation

Mannheim, December 13, 2018

The biogas plant of Agrarbewirtschaftung Behrenwalde GmbH in Millienhagen-Oebelitz near Stralsund, Germany, was installed in 2011 with an output of 600 kW. Animal byproducts such as cattle manure account for about half of the biomass, and maize and grass silage for the other half. The plant produces eco-friendly biogas in two digesters with a mixing container and a gas-tight digestate storage unit. The biogas plant offers the operator new yield opportunities and additional risk diversification and is currently a fixture of the company’s operations.

Significant Performance Increase through Additional Cogeneration Power Plant

In 2017, the plant was switched from base load to flex operation. Together with the biogas consultant GBB, the company decided to step up its capacity 4.3 times. This was achieved by adding a 1,000 m³ heat buffer storage unit and an 18,000 m³ gas storage unit and by integrating an additional powerful MWM cogeneration power plant with an installed capacity of 2,000 kW. The gas engine for the new cogeneration power plant comes from the MWM TCG 2020 series and was installed by the MWM partner Agrarservice Lass GmbH. With an output of 2,000 kW_el, the TCG 2020 V20 power genset combines the best electrical and thermal efficiency values of its output category. The TCG 2020 can be used for all types of gas, such as biogas, natural gas, or landfill gas. 

Maximum Operating Flexibility and Security of Supply through Start/Stop Engine Operation

The flexibilization allows the plant to be optimized both on the organizational side and in terms of the business administration. In contrast to the previous operating mode, the biogas no longer needs to be directly converted to power on a 24/7 basis, but can now be buffered in the gas storage unit. From there, the biogas is supplied to the two engines whenever necessary. The engines run in parallel start/stop operation and are ramped up 3-4 times a day by the direct marketer, who is required to ensure a maximum of 1,000 ramp-ups and 2,000 operating hours per engine and year. In order to ensure continuous availability of heat with this start/stop operation, the heat concept has been designed to enable a time buffer of 50-60 hours, during which the engines can remain switched off while heat is being extracted for the drying process. 

Increased Yield Potential and Energy Security through Transition to Flex Operation

Due to the flex operation of the plant, even lost production hours can easily be made up for, consistently enabling and securing full yearly capacity utilization. As a result of the transformation of the German energy market, the share of renewable energies is on the rise. As wind and solar energies are not always available and economically feasible storage technologies do not yet exist, the flexible, demand-oriented generation of power from controllable plants is set to grow in significance.

Further information

• MWM TCG 2020 Gas Engine
• MWM Gas Engines and Power Gensets
• MWM Cogeneration Power Plant Solutions
• MWM Agricultural Biogas Plants
• MWM Gas Solutions: Highest efficiency with biogas
• Press release: Intergen, MWM Distributor for Italy, Installs another Cogeneration Power Plant with MWM TCG 2020 Gas Engine for Renowned Cheese Manufacturer IGOR