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Business Case - Sisseln Biomass

Biomass replaces gas at wood-fired power plant

HHKW Sisslerfeld

Time to change from fossil fuels to renewable biomass 

The gas-fired boiler system, which supplied steam to the DSM Nutritional Products production facility in Sisseln, was out-of-date. Thanks to innovative technology, the new wood-fired combined heat and (CHP) power plant achieves a high rate of efficiency and saves 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. 

Key figures

50 tonnes
of CO2 saved per year
86 %
rate of efficiency
17.5
households can be supplied by the electricty produced

Key figures

50 tonnes
of CO2 saved per year
86 %
rate of efficiency
17.5
households can be supplied by the electricty produced

Problematisation and customer issues

Old gas-fired boiler system had to be replaced 

The gas-fired boiler system that supplied steam to the DSM Nutritional Products production facility in Sisseln was out-of-date and had to be replaced. There was a clear goal in mind – to create a progressive, sustainable system and make fossil fuels a thing of the past. The new solution also had to create value for the region and make use of local energy sources. 

Our response

Biomass power plant fuelled by wood chips from the local area 

The old gas system was replaced with a wood-fired CHP plant. The power plant is fuelled by wood chips from the local area, and produces steam and electricity. It supplies steam to DSM as well as the adjacent Syngenta and Novartis plants and the electricity the plant produces is fed into the local grid. The Sisslerfeld wood-fired CHP plant features new technologies, such as fixed sensors used to measure the moisture content of the biomass supplied. This system is the first of its kind to be used in Switzerland. 

 

Mobilised expertise

Project management and maintenance 

Underpinned by innovation and expertise, the project was developed and professionally implemented. Equans has been responsible for maintenance since the launch, including regular servicing and analysis of current conditions. 

technician electrical

Results

Switching to wood saves the power plant 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The wood-fired CHP plant generates 267 GWh of steam and 42 GWh of electricity per year. The biomass power plant boasts an overall efficiency of 86% and has thus been awarded the Swiss ecolabel ‘naturemade star’ for environmentally friendly energy production.

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