The environment The power plant is being built using the latest technologies and knowledge and is therefore hypermodern. As a result, it also has a level of efficiency of 46 per cent which is much higher than the average efficiency of 36 per cent achieved by existing coal-fired power plants in the Netherlands. A higher level of efficiency means that less fuel is required (therefore resulting in lower emissions) in order to generate the same amount of energy. Besides being efficient, the power plant is also the cleanest of its kind and that is down to the use of modern purification technologies.
Biomass Fuel The RWE/Essent power plant is fired using coal ground to powder and the option of biomass co-firing is also offered. Coal powder is fully combusted so that very little residual material is left behind. The flue gases are filtered and purified by means of a process which produces by-products such as pure gypsum. The use of the latest technologies makes the power plant the cleanest of its kind and considerably cleaner than existing coal-fired power plants. Another reason why we chose coal for this power plant was because we did not want all our energy production activities to be too dependent on one type of fuel (natural gas). Natural gas is expensive in comparison and often comes from politically unstable regions. A fact which could put the affordability and security of supply at risk. For that reason, Essent uses a wide range of fuels to generate energy at different types of power plants. We call those fuels our fuel mix.
The main fuels which we use are natural gas, coal and biomass but we also use land-based wind, sea-based wind and hydroelectric power. In order to make the transition to a sustainable and affordable energy supply, it is necessary to use fossil fuels at efficient power plants.
The installation The power plant will have two so-called Ultra Super Critical boilers. These not only ensure a high level of efficiency and a low level of harmful emissions but they are also specially designed to be started up and shut down quickly. This is a highly beneficial feature when used in conjunction with wind energy, for example. In high winds when a considerable amount of energy is generated using wind turbines, the power plant can be shut down quickly. And conversely, the power plant can provide a reliable supply of affordable electricity if there is no wind or sun. With this flexibility, the new power plant will fit in perfectly as a modern generating facility.
Biomass is the collective name for all kinds of organic material such as prunings and agricultural crops. The biomass that Essent uses to generate electricity at the power plant comes in the form of so-called wood pellets. These will increasingly be produced using the wood from fast-growing conifers from production forests managed by RWE in the US state of Georgia. Wood pellets are also imported from Canada, for example. During their growth, the trees absorb CO2 that is released again during combustion at the power plant. The CO2 cycle is short as a result of which no additional CO2 is released into the atmosphere and so this wood is a sustainable fuel. Consequently the co-firing of biomass means that the power plant can also produce Green Power. Moreover, the biomass that RWE/Essent uses has been awarded a Green Gold Label, which indicates that the origin of the biomass is known and that it meets important sustainability criteria.
We see it as our social task to contribute towards the development of the Eemshaven region. That is why RWE/Essent and various other parties within the region, including environmental and nature organisations, have concluded agreements regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions, the sustainability of industrial development and the restoration of nature in the Eemshaven area. As a result of these agreements, a large nature reserve has been created in the Emmapolder. A silent area of 5,000 hectares was created earlier on in the Waddenzee region along with a 2.5-hectare ecostrip in the Oostlob region and we have also carried out nature restoration measures on the Wadden islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Essent/RWE is also active in other areas. We sponsor FC Groningen as well as smaller amateur clubs in the region. We support various cultural initiatives via the RWE Culture Foundation. And we work alongside the social employment service company Ability in order to help people who are relatively distant from the labour market to start careers as lift operators on building sites. We have set up a research foundation with the University of Groningen and Essent/ RWE is a co-founder and member of the board of the Energy Valley Topclub.
Want to find out more? www.essent.eu
Excursion centre
Working at Essent
Would you like to visit the power plant? Then you can. The Essent excursion centre organises tours for groups on request. The tours are held on weekdays during the morning or afternoon. The minimum number of people required in order to make up a group is 10 and the minimum age is 16. Tours are given free of charge but you will have to organise your own transport and pay your own costs for getting to and from the site. Please note that you will also have to provide proof of identity at the entrance to the site and follow safety instructions provided. For more information, please go to www.essent.nl/excursie.
We are continuously looking for talented technical staff for posts on different levels, ranging from installers to project engineers and from environmental coordinators to project managers. Want to find out more? Go to www.werkenbijessent.nl and www.eemshavenvacatures.nl.
A bird’s-eye view of the Eemshaven power plant
P 0019
Efficiency
2megawatts x 800
Electrical efficiency
46.2%
56,000 tons
Access for sea-going ships
up to 80,000 ton
of reinforcing steel
1
9 Depth of port
Eemshaven power plant
The power plant and its surroundings
Block 8
Imagine that you are a peregrine falcon in flight: look down at the ground and you will see villages, towns, woods, meadows, rivers and lakes go past. A bird’s-eye view of the Netherlands. Take a closer look and you will see the new RWE/Essent power plant in the Eemshaven, Groningen. Notice the wind turbines, the production facilities, the chimney stacks, the port where materials are imported and more. See how Essent carries out production… from a bird’s-eye view. Essent and parent company RWE are building a new power plant with a capacity of 1,600 megawatts in the Eemshaven, Groningen. The Netherlands needs new power plants because the demand for electricity is set to keep rising over the next few years and it is necessary to guarantee a reliable supply of affordable electricity. However, some of the existing production facilities in the Netherlands have become outdated and gas reserves in the Netherlands are finite. As a result, a few years ago the Dutch government designated the Maasvlakte and the area around the Eemshaven as sites for new power plants. Partly because of the presence of a port for importing fuel and the availability of sufficient cooling water, RWE accepted an invitation from the Dutch government and made the decision years ago to build an ultramodern coal-/biomass-fired power plant in the Eemshaven. The power plant is expected to be ready for operation from 2014 and will then become part of Essent’s production facilities.
18 metres
A
6
B Block
2 7 Number of people employed on site during construction
120 m
- peak periods 3,000 - on average 1,500
high chimney stack
1,000 km
5
of cables
3
In short 4
111 m
• Generating capacity of
8,000 driven piles
high access towers
1,600 megawatts • Enough electricity for 2.5 million households • Combination of coal and the option of biomass co-firing • Highly efficient combustion
Two power plants Block A and block B are identical. The highest building, containing the combustion boiler, is 107 metres high. The boiler itself measures approximately 18 x 18 x 100 (l x w x h) metres.
4
2
120 metre-high chimney stack
5
3
Flue gas desulphurisation In these installations, flue gases are ‘washed’ using a mixture of limestone and water. The sulphur dioxide reacts with the limestone to produce pure gypsum which is used to make plaster board, for example.
1
Total net power
1,600 megawatts
Conveyor belts for coal Covered conveyor belts ensure the dust-free transportation of coal from the ship to the power plant or the coal storage facility. ly ash traps F All the dust is removed from the flue gases using static electricity. This fly ash is supplied to the concrete and cement industry.
6
Fly ash storage facility
7
Gypsum storage facility
8
111 metre-high access towers
9
18 metre-deep port
360,000 m3 of concrete
process • Lower CO2 emissions thanks to biomass co-firing • Respect for the environment in the form of ecological compensation and social contributions
2megawatts x 800
Electrical efficiency
46.2%
56,000 tons
Access for sea-going ships
up to 80,000 ton
of reinforcing steel
1
9 Depth of port
Eemshaven power plant
The power plant and its surroundings
Block 8
Imagine that you are a peregrine falcon in flight: look down at the ground and you will see villages, towns, woods, meadows, rivers and lakes go past. A bird’s-eye view of the Netherlands. Take a closer look and you will see the new RWE/Essent power plant in the Eemshaven, Groningen. Notice the wind turbines, the production facilities, the chimney stacks, the port where materials are imported and more. See how Essent carries out production… from a bird’s-eye view. Essent and parent company RWE are building a new power plant with a capacity of 1,600 megawatts in the Eemshaven, Groningen. The Netherlands needs new power plants because the demand for electricity is set to keep rising over the next few years and it is necessary to guarantee a reliable supply of affordable electricity. However, some of the existing production facilities in the Netherlands have become outdated and gas reserves in the Netherlands are finite. As a result, a few years ago the Dutch government designated the Maasvlakte and the area around the Eemshaven as sites for new power plants. Partly because of the presence of a port for importing fuel and the availability of sufficient cooling water, RWE accepted an invitation from the Dutch government and made the decision years ago to build an ultramodern coal-/biomass-fired power plant in the Eemshaven. The power plant is expected to be ready for operation from 2014 and will then become part of Essent’s production facilities.
18 metres
A
6
B Block
2 7 Number of people employed on site during construction
120 m
- peak periods 3,000 - on average 1,500
high chimney stack
1,000 km
5
of cables
3
In short 4
111 m
• Generating capacity of
8,000 driven piles
high access towers
1,600 megawatts • Enough electricity for 2.5 million households • Combination of coal and the option of biomass co-firing • Highly efficient combustion
Two power plants Block A and block B are identical. The highest building, containing the combustion boiler, is 107 metres high. The boiler itself measures approximately 18 x 18 x 100 (l x w x h) metres.
4
2
120 metre-high chimney stack
5
3
Flue gas desulphurisation In these installations, flue gases are ‘washed’ using a mixture of limestone and water. The sulphur dioxide reacts with the limestone to produce pure gypsum which is used to make plaster board, for example.
1
Total net power
1,600 megawatts
Conveyor belts for coal Covered conveyor belts ensure the dust-free transportation of coal from the ship to the power plant or the coal storage facility. ly ash traps F All the dust is removed from the flue gases using static electricity. This fly ash is supplied to the concrete and cement industry.
6
Fly ash storage facility
7
Gypsum storage facility
8
111 metre-high access towers
9
18 metre-deep port
360,000 m3 of concrete
process • Lower CO2 emissions thanks to biomass co-firing • Respect for the environment in the form of ecological compensation and social contributions
2megawatts x 800
Electrical efficiency
46.2%
56,000 tons
Access for sea-going ships
up to 80,000 ton
of reinforcing steel
1
9 Depth of port
Eemshaven power plant
The power plant and its surroundings
Block 8
Imagine that you are a peregrine falcon in flight: look down at the ground and you will see villages, towns, woods, meadows, rivers and lakes go past. A bird’s-eye view of the Netherlands. Take a closer look and you will see the new RWE/Essent power plant in the Eemshaven, Groningen. Notice the wind turbines, the production facilities, the chimney stacks, the port where materials are imported and more. See how Essent carries out production… from a bird’s-eye view. Essent and parent company RWE are building a new power plant with a capacity of 1,600 megawatts in the Eemshaven, Groningen. The Netherlands needs new power plants because the demand for electricity is set to keep rising over the next few years and it is necessary to guarantee a reliable supply of affordable electricity. However, some of the existing production facilities in the Netherlands have become outdated and gas reserves in the Netherlands are finite. As a result, a few years ago the Dutch government designated the Maasvlakte and the area around the Eemshaven as sites for new power plants. Partly because of the presence of a port for importing fuel and the availability of sufficient cooling water, RWE accepted an invitation from the Dutch government and made the decision years ago to build an ultramodern coal-/biomass-fired power plant in the Eemshaven. The power plant is expected to be ready for operation from 2014 and will then become part of Essent’s production facilities.
18 metres
A
6
B Block
2 7 Number of people employed on site during construction
120 m
- peak periods 3,000 - on average 1,500
high chimney stack
1,000 km
5
of cables
3
In short 4
111 m
• Generating capacity of
8,000 driven piles
high access towers
1,600 megawatts • Enough electricity for 2.5 million households • Combination of coal and the option of biomass co-firing • Highly efficient combustion
Two power plants Block A and block B are identical. The highest building, containing the combustion boiler, is 107 metres high. The boiler itself measures approximately 18 x 18 x 100 (l x w x h) metres.
4
2
120 metre-high chimney stack
5
3
Flue gas desulphurisation In these installations, flue gases are ‘washed’ using a mixture of limestone and water. The sulphur dioxide reacts with the limestone to produce pure gypsum which is used to make plaster board, for example.
1
Total net power
1,600 megawatts
Conveyor belts for coal Covered conveyor belts ensure the dust-free transportation of coal from the ship to the power plant or the coal storage facility. ly ash traps F All the dust is removed from the flue gases using static electricity. This fly ash is supplied to the concrete and cement industry.
6
Fly ash storage facility
7
Gypsum storage facility
8
111 metre-high access towers
9
18 metre-deep port
360,000 m3 of concrete
process • Lower CO2 emissions thanks to biomass co-firing • Respect for the environment in the form of ecological compensation and social contributions
The environment The power plant is being built using the latest technologies and knowledge and is therefore hypermodern. As a result, it also has a level of efficiency of 46 per cent which is much higher than the average efficiency of 36 per cent achieved by existing coal-fired power plants in the Netherlands. A higher level of efficiency means that less fuel is required (therefore resulting in lower emissions) in order to generate the same amount of energy. Besides being efficient, the power plant is also the cleanest of its kind and that is down to the use of modern purification technologies.
Biomass Fuel The RWE/Essent power plant is fired using coal ground to powder and the option of biomass co-firing is also offered. Coal powder is fully combusted so that very little residual material is left behind. The flue gases are filtered and purified by means of a process which produces by-products such as pure gypsum. The use of the latest technologies makes the power plant the cleanest of its kind and considerably cleaner than existing coal-fired power plants. Another reason why we chose coal for this power plant was because we did not want all our energy production activities to be too dependent on one type of fuel (natural gas). Natural gas is expensive in comparison and often comes from politically unstable regions. A fact which could put the affordability and security of supply at risk. For that reason, Essent uses a wide range of fuels to generate energy at different types of power plants. We call those fuels our fuel mix.
The main fuels which we use are natural gas, coal and biomass but we also use land-based wind, sea-based wind and hydroelectric power. In order to make the transition to a sustainable and affordable energy supply, it is necessary to use fossil fuels at efficient power plants.
The installation The power plant will have two so-called Ultra Super Critical boilers. These not only ensure a high level of efficiency and a low level of harmful emissions but they are also specially designed to be started up and shut down quickly. This is a highly beneficial feature when used in conjunction with wind energy, for example. In high winds when a considerable amount of energy is generated using wind turbines, the power plant can be shut down quickly. And conversely, the power plant can provide a reliable supply of affordable electricity if there is no wind or sun. With this flexibility, the new power plant will fit in perfectly as a modern generating facility.
Biomass is the collective name for all kinds of organic material such as prunings and agricultural crops. The biomass that Essent uses to generate electricity at the power plant comes in the form of so-called wood pellets. These will increasingly be produced using the wood from fast-growing conifers from production forests managed by RWE in the US state of Georgia. Wood pellets are also imported from Canada, for example. During their growth, the trees absorb CO2 that is released again during combustion at the power plant. The CO2 cycle is short as a result of which no additional CO2 is released into the atmosphere and so this wood is a sustainable fuel. Consequently the co-firing of biomass means that the power plant can also produce Green Power. Moreover, the biomass that RWE/Essent uses has been awarded a Green Gold Label, which indicates that the origin of the biomass is known and that it meets important sustainability criteria.
We see it as our social task to contribute towards the development of the Eemshaven region. That is why RWE/Essent and various other parties within the region, including environmental and nature organisations, have concluded agreements regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions, the sustainability of industrial development and the restoration of nature in the Eemshaven area. As a result of these agreements, a large nature reserve has been created in the Emmapolder. A silent area of 5,000 hectares was created earlier on in the Waddenzee region along with a 2.5-hectare ecostrip in the Oostlob region and we have also carried out nature restoration measures on the Wadden islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Essent/RWE is also active in other areas. We sponsor FC Groningen as well as smaller amateur clubs in the region. We support various cultural initiatives via the RWE Culture Foundation. And we work alongside the social employment service company Ability in order to help people who are relatively distant from the labour market to start careers as lift operators on building sites. We have set up a research foundation with the University of Groningen and Essent/ RWE is a co-founder and member of the board of the Energy Valley Topclub.
Want to find out more? www.essent.eu
Excursion centre
Working at Essent
Would you like to visit the power plant? Then you can. The Essent excursion centre organises tours for groups on request. The tours are held on weekdays during the morning or afternoon. The minimum number of people required in order to make up a group is 10 and the minimum age is 16. Tours are given free of charge but you will have to organise your own transport and pay your own costs for getting to and from the site. Please note that you will also have to provide proof of identity at the entrance to the site and follow safety instructions provided. For more information, please go to www.essent.nl/excursie.
We are continuously looking for talented technical staff for posts on different levels, ranging from installers to project engineers and from environmental coordinators to project managers. Want to find out more? Go to www.werkenbijessent.nl and www.eemshavenvacatures.nl.
A bird’s-eye view of the Eemshaven power plant
P 0019
Efficiency
The environment The power plant is being built using the latest technologies and knowledge and is therefore hypermodern. As a result, it also has a level of efficiency of 46 per cent which is much higher than the average efficiency of 36 per cent achieved by existing coal-fired power plants in the Netherlands. A higher level of efficiency means that less fuel is required (therefore resulting in lower emissions) in order to generate the same amount of energy. Besides being efficient, the power plant is also the cleanest of its kind and that is down to the use of modern purification technologies.
Biomass Fuel The RWE/Essent power plant is fired using coal ground to powder and the option of biomass co-firing is also offered. Coal powder is fully combusted so that very little residual material is left behind. The flue gases are filtered and purified by means of a process which produces by-products such as pure gypsum. The use of the latest technologies makes the power plant the cleanest of its kind and considerably cleaner than existing coal-fired power plants. Another reason why we chose coal for this power plant was because we did not want all our energy production activities to be too dependent on one type of fuel (natural gas). Natural gas is expensive in comparison and often comes from politically unstable regions. A fact which could put the affordability and security of supply at risk. For that reason, Essent uses a wide range of fuels to generate energy at different types of power plants. We call those fuels our fuel mix.
The main fuels which we use are natural gas, coal and biomass but we also use land-based wind, sea-based wind and hydroelectric power. In order to make the transition to a sustainable and affordable energy supply, it is necessary to use fossil fuels at efficient power plants.
The installation The power plant will have two so-called Ultra Super Critical boilers. These not only ensure a high level of efficiency and a low level of harmful emissions but they are also specially designed to be started up and shut down quickly. This is a highly beneficial feature when used in conjunction with wind energy, for example. In high winds when a considerable amount of energy is generated using wind turbines, the power plant can be shut down quickly. And conversely, the power plant can provide a reliable supply of affordable electricity if there is no wind or sun. With this flexibility, the new power plant will fit in perfectly as a modern generating facility.
Biomass is the collective name for all kinds of organic material such as prunings and agricultural crops. The biomass that Essent uses to generate electricity at the power plant comes in the form of so-called wood pellets. These will increasingly be produced using the wood from fast-growing conifers from production forests managed by RWE in the US state of Georgia. Wood pellets are also imported from Canada, for example. During their growth, the trees absorb CO2 that is released again during combustion at the power plant. The CO2 cycle is short as a result of which no additional CO2 is released into the atmosphere and so this wood is a sustainable fuel. Consequently the co-firing of biomass means that the power plant can also produce Green Power. Moreover, the biomass that RWE/Essent uses has been awarded a Green Gold Label, which indicates that the origin of the biomass is known and that it meets important sustainability criteria.
We see it as our social task to contribute towards the development of the Eemshaven region. That is why RWE/Essent and various other parties within the region, including environmental and nature organisations, have concluded agreements regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions, the sustainability of industrial development and the restoration of nature in the Eemshaven area. As a result of these agreements, a large nature reserve has been created in the Emmapolder. A silent area of 5,000 hectares was created earlier on in the Waddenzee region along with a 2.5-hectare ecostrip in the Oostlob region and we have also carried out nature restoration measures on the Wadden islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Essent/RWE is also active in other areas. We sponsor FC Groningen as well as smaller amateur clubs in the region. We support various cultural initiatives via the RWE Culture Foundation. And we work alongside the social employment service company Ability in order to help people who are relatively distant from the labour market to start careers as lift operators on building sites. We have set up a research foundation with the University of Groningen and Essent/ RWE is a co-founder and member of the board of the Energy Valley Topclub.
Want to find out more? www.essent.eu
Excursion centre
Working at Essent
Would you like to visit the power plant? Then you can. The Essent excursion centre organises tours for groups on request. The tours are held on weekdays during the morning or afternoon. The minimum number of people required in order to make up a group is 10 and the minimum age is 16. Tours are given free of charge but you will have to organise your own transport and pay your own costs for getting to and from the site. Please note that you will also have to provide proof of identity at the entrance to the site and follow safety instructions provided. For more information, please go to www.essent.nl/excursie.
We are continuously looking for talented technical staff for posts on different levels, ranging from installers to project engineers and from environmental coordinators to project managers. Want to find out more? Go to www.werkenbijessent.nl and www.eemshavenvacatures.nl.
A bird’s-eye view of the Eemshaven power plant
P 0019
Efficiency