Net producer of affordable and sustainable energy Energy is the highest contributor to climate change, as it is responsible for about 60% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, to reduce the CO₂ emissions of energy is one of the main objectives to control climate changes in the long run and to preserve our health and quality of life. That is why we need to increase the share of renewable energy and to double energy efficiency at the same time. In 2016 we generated almost 41,500 MWh of electricity and heat. This corresponds with the energy consumption of almost
12,000 HOUSEHOLDS = more than 4 million litres of petrol = 320 million cans of Red Bull
The activities of Vanheede have an impact on two greenhouse gases, i.e. carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄). The impact of CH₄ as a greenhouse gas is 25 times the impact of CO₂. Therefore capturing CH₄ at the landfill of Vanheede Landfill Solutions (Rumbeke) and at the digestion plant of Vanheede Biomass Solutions (Quévy) has two environmental benefits: →→ In the biogas engines methane is converted into sustainable electricity →→ During this process CH₄ is converted into CO₂ and water, so that the environmental impact is reduced by factor 25 In 2016 incineration was mainly performed on the most recent CHP engines, with a higher efficiency. The residual heat that is released during the production of electricity from biogas is already valorised now by Dewulf Group, a leading company within the segment of agricultural machinery. Thanks to cogeneration with Vanheede Landfill Solutions the residual heat is valorised at the Dewulf paint shop.
“Why for us Vanheede is the ideal partner for a “Smart Energy City”? Vanheede adopts a future-oriented vision. Not only with respect to their core business, i.e. the management of material and raw material flows, but also regarding local social challenges. The dynamics and flexibility of this company constitute a strength in the development of this new innovative energy network.” TIMO WYFFELS, EXPERT ON CLIMATE, ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY CITY OF ROESELARE
Because biogas and thus green electricity production from the landfill is decreasing (decrease in organic material), we are currently examining new possibilities. One of these possibilities is the processing of roadside grass cuttings, through digestion (biogas) and then composting. In addition Quévy also manages its own wind turbine and 2,070 m2 of solar panels are installed on the roofs in Quévy (1,065) and Geluwe (170). These 1,260 solar panels represent a total capacity of 289 kWp. Only 1/3 of this green energy is consumed by Vanheede as such, especially for the production processes, Vanheede Alternative Fuels and Vanheede Biomass Solutions being the primary consumers. Thanks to this net energy production we are an interesting partner in the energy network.
Vanheede partner in a stable electricity network The whole of Europe, including Belgium, is facing an unbalance in electricity demand and offer at peak moments. This is a source of concern for the network operators, regulators and authorities. Vanheede contributes to the stability of the electricity network by making our electricity production flexible and responding to possible shortages at consumption peaks by sending electricity. But we still want to do more than just supply electricity on the mains network. At first instance locally (within the industrial area, in cooperation with neighbouring companies), and later on also regionally (e.g. for anticipating peaks in cold stores) or by participating in major energy clusters (e.g. ‘Smart Energy City’, city of Roeselare).