In Germany, Koehler Renewable Energy, part of paper and energy group Koehler Holding SE & Co. KG (Koehler Group) and compatriot energy and engineering consultancy Iqony Solutions GmbH (Iqony) are redoubling their commitment to their partnership in the field of sustainable energy solutions by entering into a general cooperation agreement. With this step, the two companies have laid the foundation for a long-term partnership focused on the joint development, planning, implementation, and operation of bioenergy projects.
Within the context of this partnership, both parties have their sights set on replacing fossil energy sources with sustainable technologies in an effective manner.
The primary focus will be on projects that convert existing coal-fired power plants to technologies that use wood dust, woodchips, and/or biogas instead.
Koehler Group has already completed pilot projects in this area at its Greiz and Oberkirch mills in Germany by converting the corresponding power plants from lignite and hard coal to biomass.
Extend bioenergy know-how to third parties
These projects included patented methods, and the plan is to extend their use to third-party customers by working together with Iqony.
The partnership will cover all project phases – from development, planning, commissioning, and operation of biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants.
While Iqony assumes primary responsibility for customer acquisition, project development, planning, investment, and implementation, Koehler Renewable Energy will bring its extensive know-how, especially in material flow management, permitting, and technology issues, as well as in network building in the paper industry.
The cooperation between Koehler Renewable Energy and Iqony is a milestone for the transformation of German industry. Energy-intensive industries in particular continue to make extensive use of fossil fuels, including brown coal. Even if not every use of fossil fuels can be avoided due to process requirements, there are proven substitution options. This is precisely where our cooperation on bioenergy projects comes in, emphasized Norbert Schröder, Managing Director at Iqony Solutions.
Koehler Renewable Energy also sees the partnership as a huge win.
This partnership with Iqony will give us the opportunity to truly make use of our renewable energy know-how so that we can contribute to the area with even greater efficiency and bring sustainable projects to life together, explained Birgit Hagebölling, Corporate Director of Technology and Operations at Koehler Renewable Energy.
