A major potential of saved CO2

Each of the 18 case studies should give a user-friendly and thorough overview of information that is usually difficult to find, including available biomass resources in selected areas and new methods of financing. Each case study will involve municipalities, utility companies and citizen requests and needs, and will, among other things, present a sound decision-making basis for an organic biogas plant, a district heating station or a de-central heating plant in a village without access to district heating. The findings will be ready to implement and available to all interested municipalities, farmers, utility companies, investors and other stakeholders in the region. If Region Zealand's biogas potential is fully exploited, the region could save up to 1,400,000 tons CO2 annually.

Flagship competences

-By discovering how to construct profitable bioenergy plants in Region Zealand we built business acumen and develop important flagship competences that can be exported, as well as brand the Region in order to attract foreign capital. Project Biowatt is exciting for actors in Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster, and that is why CCC has dedicated funds to the project, says Marianna Lubanski, Head of Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster.

A wide and strong palette of project partners

Project partners behind the initiative include Roskilde University Centre (RUC), Green Center, Copenhagen Capacity, Agrovi, the municipality of Kalundborg, Danish Agriculture in Lolland and Falster, as well as project manager Energyclustercenter Zealand. Moreover, 11 municipalities in Region Zealand participate as project partners. Project Biowatt has received DKK 5,391,000 from Growth forum Zealand and DKK 7,998,000 from EU's regional funds. In addition, DDK 4 million come from the projects partners own resources.

Building a platform for development

Preparing the grounds for a new bioenergy plant is often difficult and time-consuming, and as a result many sound initiatives lose momentum. Biowatt's project group is determined to put an end to this unfortunate practice:

-The great support from Region Zealand's local politicians and Growth Forum Zealand (Vækstforum Sjælland) means that challenges and opportunities come under close scrutiny. This support and funding from EU's Regional Development Fund have created an excellent platform for developing solutions that match Region Zealand's conditions, says Flemming Goldberg-Larsen, project manager,  Energyclustercenter Zealand.

Synergy effects

Project Biowatt fits in with Region Zealand's 2009 climate strategy and Growth Forum Zealand business develop strategy. Moreover, Biowatt is in keeping with the objectives of Denmark's national energy agreement from 2012. Finally, Biowatt can support Local Government Denmark and Denmark's Ministry of the Environment's agreement on new municipal planning and building regulations for biogas plants.

A long-standing tradition of collaboration in Region Zealand

The joint efforts of the many stakeholders in Region Zealand is a decisive factor in ensuring the Regions' biogas resources are viewed holistically, rather than in a local context. Regional collaboration is not a new thing in Region Zealand. Previously, the region's municipalities have successfully focused on energy renovation in the award-winning Project REEEZ that had an investment framework of DKK 465 million. In the future, Region Zealand is expecting to join forces within strategic energy planning.

For more news, go to our Newsroom

Source: Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster