LIBRAMONT, Belgium, October 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Integrated Industrial Biogas Plant Supplies Clean Heat and Electricity

Today the first European industrial process based on a sustainable energy island was unveiled at the plant of L'Oreal in Libramont, Belgium. Thanks to this state-of-the-art technology the production site is in principle independent of the public electricity and natural gas grid and can provide in its own energy needs.

The project is the result of a unique and innovative cooperation between the Belgian developer of sustainable energy Bio Energie Europa, energy company Eneco and L'OREAL. The concept and technology were developed over the past three years.

A unique industrial biogas plant was built close to the L'OREAL plant in Libramont. Biomass, from local farmers and the agro alimentary industry, is collected in a hermetic sealed tank. In this tank bacteria convert the biomass into methane through the biological process of fermentation. This biogas is then transported through a 600 metre subterranean pipeline to the factory. The biogas bought by L'Oreal is used in three cogeneration engines that generate both green heat and electricity. The plant is unique because both the generated electricity and heat, which is converted into steam, is completely used by the factory. Moreover, more green electricity is generated than the site itself requires. The remaining power, which is enough to meet the needs of around 4,000 households, is injected into the public grid.

This high-technological concept makes it possible for companies to handle their energy consumption in a very efficient and sustainable way. With the plant in Libramont, Eneco and Bio Energie Europa have completed their first major project for an industrial customer. Further, similar projects are in development or construction phases at both Wallonian and Flemish companies. A development that will generate employment for hundreds of people in the coming years during the construction of the plants.

For L'Oreal, completion of the project marks an important step towards achieving its goal of reducing its worldwide emissions of CO2 by over 50% by 2015.

For further information http://www.bioenergie-libramont.eu

SOURCE Eneco Belgium