The new project highlights the increased emphasis on combined heat and power (CHP) in Europe as the region increases its focus on energy efficiency. In September 2008, two of GE’s 4MW, natural gas-fueled J624 GS engines began powering Royal Pride Holland’s new greenhouse cogeneration plant.
The sprawling greenhouse facility is located in Middenmeer, 50km north of Amsterdam. The Jenbacher units were installed as part of a pilot project to demonstrate the engine’s commercial viability for the horticultural industry.
The plant is equipped with GE’s Jenbacher cogeneration-CO2 fertilization process that treats the engines’ CO2-rich exhaust, allowing the gas to be recycled in the greenhouse as a special fertilizer to help boost crop production instead of venting the gas into the atmosphere.
The cogeneration plant project allowed Royal Pride Holland to expand the greenhouse to 102 hectares, up from the site’s original 45-hectare surface area.
