The power generator and the biotech company want to equip micro-organisms with new enzymes and explore new synthesis-routes and pathways. Flue gas, rich in CO2 from a lignite-fired power station, feeds these designer micro-organisms.
The process creates biomass and industrial products such as new biomaterials, bioplastics and chemical by-products. Possible applications, now being explored, include building and isolation materials and the production of fine and specialty chemicals.
Dr. Johannes Lambertz, CEO of RWE Power, said: ” Our search for biotechnological solutions to CO2 conversion proves a point: we have the energy to lead in climate conservation. Our goal is constant expansion of our range in this field. As well as reducing and storing carbon dioxide, we want to develop further intelligent uses.
“Quite deliberately, we are combining what we know about power generation with the expertise of specialist companies such as BRAIN. We want to find as many different solutions as possible. ”
Dr Holger Zinke, co-founder and executive chairman of Brain, said: ” The targeted use of ‘nature’s toolbox’ is making many industrial processes more effective, environmentally compatible and more sustainable. White biotech is a pointer to the industry of the future, which will conserve the environment and its resources.”
RWE Power operates the Coal Innovation Centre at its Niederaussem power plant site. It has made this the centre of its activities for environmentally friendly power generation from coal. The company already operates Germany’s first CO2 scrubbing plant here. This is a prototype for pre-drying lignite. The company said that the plant utilises internal waste heat, and a REAplus high-performance scrubber, to improve the separation of dust and sulphur dioxide from the flue gas.
Also, RWE’s algae project integrates carbon dioxide with plant matter which can then be used as biomass. All projects are working in conjunction with lignite-fired power plant (BoA1), and represent a total investment of EUR90m.
