Nederlandse Gasunie, the energy infrastructure company and operator of the Dutch gas pipeline network, and compatriot Perpetual Next, a leader in torrefaction technology, have signed a 50-50 joint venture agreement to further develop and build the Torrgas Delfzijl project.
The joint intention is to build a new plant that can produce and distribute green gas made from syngas in a sustainable way. This will eliminate dependence on fossil-based raw materials.
Construction of the Torrgas Delfzijl plant is expected to start in autumn 2022, subject to an investment decision that is to be made later this year.
Part of Chemport Europe
The companies intend to build the plant together in the Delfzijl chemical cluster as part of Chemport Europe.
The first phase of Torrgas Delfzijl will require an investment of approximately EUR 60 million. The plant will initially provide direct employment for 15 people.
Perpetual Next will then assume responsibility for managing and operating the plant. Gasunie will distribute the gases, which will be delivered – underground – to the built environment and industry via the national network.
The plant, which is expected to come into operation in 2024, will start with green gas production of 12 million m3 per year. This may be scaled up rapidly to 40 and 120 million m3 of green gas per year.
Multiple renewable chemical applications
Perpetual Next has the technology to convert organic waste streams, green waste, and scrap wood into high-quality renewable raw material via torrefaction.
This renewable raw material will be transported to the plant by barge.
The collaboration with Gasunie and the location of Chemport Europe is strategically important to us. It’s great to see that, in this way, the region will once again be supplying gas, but a future-proof alternative. The availability of raw materials, the space to build production facilities with new clean technologies, and the knowledge and expertise available make this the perfect environment, said Martijn van Rheenen, co-founder of Perpetual Next.
Torrgas technology
Syngas is produced by gasifying this raw material in two heating stages, a process developed by technology partner Torrgas.
Syngas is a base that can replace fossil gas as a raw material in many chemical applications. Green gas, methanol, and hydrogen are some of the fuels that can be produced from syngas.
The production of syngas is also cost-effective due to the by-product biochar, a pure form of carbon that can be used as a soil enhancer, in water purification, and for cleaning flue gases.
Of strategic importance
Phase 1 of this project will mainly focus on producing green gas for further distribution via Gasunie’s existing natural gas network.
The production of syngas will help to achieve the ambitions set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.
The goal in the Climate Agreement is to produce 2 billion m3 of green gas by 2030. With other parties, we are working to make green gas affordable and bring it to the market on a large scale. This project is in line with that ambition, and we are very confident that together we will achieve a sustainable, successful, and technologically advanced project, said Ulco Vermeulen, Member of Gasunie’s Executive Board.
