Demonstration og 2G ethanol production in full scale, MEC
Security of energy supply, sustainability and market demands are controlling parameters for developing energy systems. Lignocellulosic or second generation (2G) ethanol is part of the solution to the security of supply and demand for sustainable development in the transport sector. Lignocellulosic raw materials are an attractive alternative to crop based feedstock; it is not competing with food or feed production. Worldwide, lignocellulosic biomass is a huge unexploited source, which has the potential of an extensive sustainable production of biofuel for transport. By May 2015, EU has decided a new directive to start the transition from conventional biofuel to biofuels that deliver substantial greenhouse gas savings (advanced/second generation biofuels). It also establishes a clear legislative framework for the production of biofuels, while protecting existing investments in the sector. The Fuel Quality Directive introduced a mandatory target for a 6% reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of fuels used in road transport to be achieved by 2020.
The Renewable Energy Directive established mandatory targets for a 20% overall share of renewable energy in the EU and 10% share for renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020. EU recommend 0,5% of the 10% is advanced biofuels as 2G ethanol.
Lignocellulosic ethanol is the most obvious choice of an advanced biofuel to fulfil the new EU directive. Development of new energy technologies for the transport sector takes a long time. EU and some of the national states have already funded development and demonstration of lignocellulosic ethanol for the last 15 years and the technology is well developed. Furthermore ethanol can be blended directly in the gasoline, meaning no changes in the existing infrastructure are needed. Cellulosic ethanol will be a good transitional solution until more advances energy solutions are easy for implementation in the society. Development of biorefineries where biomass is fractionated in sugars, lignin and other components, can also be used in other productions than ethanol. Lignocellulosic sugars could for example be used for fermentation of lactic acid or other green chemicals.
In this project, Novozymes, DONG Energy, MEC I/S, Copenhagen University and Technical University of Denmark are collaborating in support of starting up the first Danish lignocellulosic biorefinery, Maabjerg Energy Center (MEC). The concept for the energy center includes a power plant, biogas and bioethanol plant, where the infrastructural synergies and energy integration creates an energy and cost effective industrial production unit. The biogas and energy integration creates an energy and cost effective industrial production unit. The biogas plant and power plant are in place. Biorefinery converting local wheat straw into ethanol, solid biofuel (lignin) and biogas is expected to be in operation in 2019. The support in this project will be to reduce operational costs by exploring potentials of local biomass other than wheat straw, develop improved enzymes and yeast tailor made for the MEC refinery and develop optimal tank design for use of new enzymes demanding a specific oxygen tension. In order to counteract technical challenges, research and development in essays for predicting enzyme activity and biomass processivity are included in the project.
The MEC biorefiney will be large enough to fulfil EU ambitions of advanced biofuels in Denmark, Support and fast proof of concept in industrial scale can be a platform for export of Danish technology to the 15 full-scale plants needed in the EU to fulfill the 2020 target.
Key figures
Category
Dokumenter
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Ørsted A/S | 6,18 mio. DKK | 9,26 mio. DKK |
| MEC I/S | 1,17 mio. DKK | 1,76 mio. DKK |
| NOVOZYMES A/S | 5,87 mio. DKK | 8,80 mio. DKK |
| Københavns Universitet | 4,72 mio. DKK | 0,53 mio. DKK |
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 2,03 mio. DKK | 0,23 mio. DKK |
Contact
Klippehagevej 22, 7000 Fredericia
