Integrated biomass cogeneration and photovoltaic power plant

Project: Construction of a biomass cogeneration plant and photovoltaic power plant Investor: QUERCUS-ENERGIJA d.o.o. Completion year: 2024

Scope

The project included the construction of an integrated energy system that combines a wood biomass cogeneration plant with a total thermal power of 5,800 kW and electrical power of 1,100 kW with a photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 727.09 kWp. The system enables the simultaneous production of thermal and electrical energy from renewable sources, achieving a high degree of energy self-sufficiency for the industrial plant.

The industrial plant used thermal energy from a biomass boiler and electrical energy from external sources, while significant amounts of wood residue from the production process remained unused as an energy resource. Dependence on external suppliers led to higher operating costs and greater greenhouse gas emissions.

Approach

The design solution was based on the use of wood chips from the company's own production as the primary fuel. A moving grate combustion chamber was chosen due to its flexibility and tolerance to the variable humidity of the raw material that occurs in the actual production process. The heat from the flue gases is transferred via heat exchangers to the ORC turbogenerator for electricity production, while the remaining thermal energy is distributed to plant consumers via a water-heating system. The photovoltaic power plant further increases its share of electricity production and reduces the load on the grid. The entire system is designed as fully automated and energy-optimised, with continuous operation monitoring and production optimisation in real time.

The plant has achieved a high level of energy self-sufficiency by using on-site renewable energy sources. Wood waste from the production process has been converted into a primary energy resource, thereby achieving the principles of a circular economy while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and operating energy costs. The plant is designed for 7,800 hours of annual operation.