Our Members: Our Members' Activities > Germany > Mainz
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The Biomass Master Plan as Business Development
With its biomass master plan, Mainz aims to promote the optimal application of local biomass to produce power, thus enhancing the local economy and becoming more independent of fossil fuels.
Discussions were held with representatives of agriculture, industry, business and public utilities to evaluate the potential of biomass as an energy source, and relevant data was collected. Biogas from the waste depot and digester gas from purification plants are already being used for the cogeneration plant. The amount of additional potential biomass in Mainz totals 200,000 MWh, which represents 4% of the entire energy requirement for the city. A matter of particular interest is the use of agricultural waste and city tree cuttings, which are currently disposed of through burning rather than being used for energy production.
The first step in the master plan is the construction of a heat production complex powered by tree cuttings linked to a housing estate, superstore and academy as well as some municipal greenhouses and offices. With an energy demand of 1,800 MWh a year, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 450 tons.
Picture credit: City of Mainz
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Foundation for Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency
In July 2008, the municipal energy provider Stadtwerke Mainz AG (SWM) joined forces with the city of Mainz to launch a foundation with the aim of promoting climate protection and energy efficiency. A minimum of 500,000 Euro are being made available each year to introduce measures to help save energy, enhance efficiency, utilise renewable energies and develop new technologies. The project not only involves the city of Mainz itself, but the entire service area of the Stadtwerke Mainz AG.
The foundation's board of directors comprises a member of SWM's board as well as the environment councillor of the city of Mainz. The foundation also has an honorary board of trustees consisting of local politicians and experts in the fields of climate politics and energy efficiency. A support programme for occupants of detached and semi-detached houses interested in retrofitting their home as well as a network of energy consultants was set up. Moreover, grants have been made available to fund particularly commendable building or retrofitting projects.
Other projects work on optimising heating facilities and the targeted evaluation of the efficiency of solar thermal systems.
Quality assurance and evaluation of the programme are provided by Bingen University of Applied Sciences.
Picture credits: City of Mainz
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Power and District Heating from Household Waste
One of the most energy-efficient incinerators, Mainz waste-fuelled power station, has been in operation since in 2008, over 340,000 tons of waste per year will be processed. The incinerator assures safe waste disposal for a region comprising more than 500,000 habitants. 50% of waste is considered renewable, meaning that the incinerator provides a climate-friendly alternative to other primary energy sources.
In Mainz, the waste is used to generate electricity, process steam and district heating through cogeneration. Most of the high pressure steam is then used by the neighbouring 400 MW combined cycle power plant to generate heat or electricity, depending on demand.
During electricity-optimised operation, the net electrical efficiency is 23%; enough electricity is produced in the plant to fulfil the demands of over 40,000 homes. Heat-optimised operation leads to a maximisation in district heating and process steam production.
After treatment, the inert slag produced during incineration is used in landfill and road construction as a mineral fraction.
Picture credits: Entsorgungsgesellschaft Mainz mbH
