The Dutch energy companies Attero and Nordsol have opened a new bio-liquified natural gas (bio-LNG) production plant for the maritime industry in Wilp, a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. The facility is equipped with the most Innovative gas treatment and liquefaction technologies, aiming to produce renewable marine fuel at scale. The inauguration ceremony happened on Wednesday, September 11th, and was attended by the Dutch Queen Máxima.
By using vegetable, fruit, and garden waste to produce renewable fuel, the new facility is expected to make shipping more sustainable. Currently, long-haul transport heavily relies on fossil fuels, raising concerns in terms of CO2 emissions and the climate impact.
In the next decade, the FirstBio2Shipping plant expects to produce 2400 tons of low-carbon bio-liquified natural gas (bio-LNG), reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 87,500 tonnes. In comparison to conventional maritime fuel, bio-LNG offers a 92% reduction in the emission of gases that intensify the greenhouse effect (GHG).
Why this is important
Due to the current design of most vessels, maritime transport is hard to electrify. Hence, bio-LNG offers a renewable short-term alternative to decarbonize a sector that has an intense carbon footprint. According to the European Commission, shipping activities represent almost 4% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions
The Partnership
The project is a result of a partnership between two renowned Dutch companies. Attero specializes in processing waste into new raw materials and green energy, while Nordsol develops cutting-edge technology that transforms biogas into bio-LNG. The collaboration aims to foster the creation of a circular economy and fight climate change.
Reducing GHG emissions and reliance on fossil fuels
The usual small-scale production of LNG is accompanied by several challenges, especially the release of unburned methane. As a way to tackle these issues, the Wilp facility is integrated with a closed-loop system that captures and recycles all gases emitted in the bio-LNG creation process.
The national production of renewable fuel from waste plays an important role in achieving climate neutrality. Besides that, it also reduces “dependence on imported fossil fuels,” as Nordsol explained in a statement.
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