Joint media release by the companies revis and nordfuel, July 3, 2024
First manure from the region is processed – 70 jobs created
FRIESOYTHE An important milestone for sustainable energy production in the northwest of Lower Saxony has been set at c-Port on the Küstenkanal since Wednesday (3 July 2024): The production of biogas or biomethane has started at one of the largest biomethane plants in Europe.
As the operator of the plant, which cost hundreds of millions to build, nordfuel GmbH will now gradually ramp up the production of green energy from farm manure.
The aim is to operate the plant at full capacity by the end of the year.
Green natural gas will then be produced from surplus manure and slurry from the region and fed into the local gas grid.
Plant sets new standards in energy production
The start of production at the plant was preceded by almost four years of conception, planning, approval and construction.
Simon Detscher, Managing Director of revis bioenergy GmbH, which developed the project, is delighted that his idea of generating sustainable energy from surplus farm manure on an industrial scale on the coastal canal has become a reality.
Detscher: “The result of years of work is a plant with state-of-the-art technology, industrial processes and the highest level of efficiency.”
He thanked the supporters of the plant for their support and “above all the responsible authorities and experts for their consistently constructive cooperation over the past few years”.
In his view, the industrial plant stands as a model for sustainable energy generation, as could be achieved in many places in Europe.
nordfuel GmbH already has 70 employees
With the start of production, which was preceded by a test phase lasting several weeks, revis will now gradually hand over the plant into the hands of nordfuel GmbH.
Over the past two years or so, the Friesoythe-based company has created all the conditions on site for the start of operations.
nordfuel Managing Director Rainer Tögel is proud of his team, which now numbers 70: “In order to put such a complex plant into operation, a team with very different players and qualifications has to come together. The test operation over the past few weeks has shown that a functioning team is working hand in hand here.”
Thanks to the farmers in the region
For Tögel, the start of green energy production is an important signal to nordfuel’s most important partners: the farmers.
“We have been given a lot of trust because it took a little longer than initially planned before we were able to receive the first manure from the farmers at our plant.”
The head of nordfuel believes that it will also be important in future that “we communicate clearly, openly and directly with the people in the region”.
As an example, he cites a large-scale exercise by the fire department on the plant site a few days ago. “All the processes worked perfectly there too.”
In the future, nordfuel GmbH intends to offer factory tours for interested groups and clubs by appointment to explain how liquid manure and dung from the region’s farms can become part of the energy transition around the clock and regardless of weather conditions.
Up to 150 tradesmen on site at the same time
In addition to the joy of the start of production, Tögel and Detscher would also like to thank the 50 or so specialist companies that used their expertise to build the new plant.
According to Niklas Hense, project engineer and co-responsible for the construction of the plant with the revis team, they have had to overcome many a challenge since the start of construction in May 2022, be it adverse weather conditions or difficulties in the supply chains.
“At peak times, up to 150 tradespeople from 50 trades were working here at the same time.”
The collaboration with experts, structural engineers and inspectors also worked well.
Administration and social building being built
Even though the biomethane plant is now in operation, the tradesmen will not yet leave the nordfuel site – which covers a total of 13.5 hectares – completely.
Hense: “An administration and social building will be built in the coming months.” There are also plans to build a company filling station with CNG fuel.
Looking forward to the first deliveries – from left; project engineer at revis bioenergy Niklas Hense, Managing Director of nordfuel Rainer Tögel and Managing Director of revis bioenergy Simon Detscher
Further information:
www.nordfuel.de and www.revis-bioenergy.de
Contact for media inquiries:
Tim van Bevern revis bioenergy GmbH Phone: +49 (0) 251 – 60 98 45 18 E-Mail: t.vanbevern@revis-bioenergy.de