Danish energy utility DONG Energy has begun to use wood pellets instead of coal at its Studstrup combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Aarhus, Denmark.
Located in Denmark’s second largest city Aarhus, DONG Energy’s Studstrup combined heat and power (CHP) plant is one of the largest in the country. Lars Christian Lilleholt, the Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, officially inaugurated the plant marking the completion of the conversion project.
Previously fired with coal, DONG Energy originally announced in May 2012 that it was to convert unit 3 at the plant to run on wood pellets. Twelve months later, in May 2013, it announced that the project was postponed until the “legal framework covering the fee for reliability of supply on biomass” was in place.
– I’m delighted that we can now open the new, green Studstrup Power Station, which will be able to supply green district heating to Aarhus and green electricity to the Danish grid. That means a significant contribution to the green revolution, and we’re well on the way to establishing an energy system that is green, independent and economically sustainable, said Thomas Dalsgaard, Executive Vice President, DONG Energy.
Apart from the now completed switch from coal to wood pellets, the Department of Waste and District Heating in Aarhus also built two electric boilers at Studstrup. Commissioned 18 months ago the boilers use electricity to provide district heating when the Danish wind turbines are running at full capacity and the electricity prices are low.
– Studstrup Power Station is an excellent example of how we maximise the use of our resources to the benefit of the climate while ensuring competitive prices for the consumer. We will use both wind power, solar power and biomass and get the various technologies to work together to complement each other in the best way possible, said Dalsgaard.
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