Denmark-based biomass combustion specialists Aalborg Energie Technik a/s (AET) has announced that it has been awarded an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for a recently commissioned 3.5 MW biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) in the UK.
The contract was awarded by the Goodwood Estate Company (Goodwood). Located in the heart of West Sussex, the c. 4,452 ha Goodwood House and Estate is a diversified group of companies and the ancestral family home of the 11th Duke of Richmond, Lennox, Gordon, and Aubigny.
For motor enthusiasts, it is home to world-famous motorsport events such as the Festival of Speed, and Goodwood Revival.
In November 2021, Goodwood decided to invest GBP 7 million in a 3.5 MW biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant (2.7 MWth and 0.7 MWe) to supply both hot water and electricity to venues across the estate, including Goodwood Hotel, Goodwood House, Park Lodge, and a proportion of Goodwood events.
AET has been contracted to ensure the continued high performance of the new CHP plant.
We are thrilled to join forces with the legendary Goodwood Estate on their mission to combat climate change. As we sign this long-term agreement, we see it as the beginning of a lasting partnership, working together towards a shared goal of sustainability, said Lars Kristensen, CEO of AET.
Circular economy
Based at Redvins Barns, the new CHP system is fuelled by 3,500 tonnes of straw from the Festival of Speed and 3,500 tonnes of woodchips from the estate’s forestry operations – in 2023, 25 MWh of energy from biomass was used to power the Festival of Speed.
The ash is utilized as fertilizer on the estate’s organic farm.
From our first meeting with AET, we have been hugely impressed by their flexible approach, resulting in an agile partnership. We expect to see great benefits from AET’s strong technical knowledge base as we look to achieve a stable income and well-controlled operational expenses, said Sam Medcraft, General Manager of the Goodwood Estate Company.