EQUANS uses LNG to meet the energy needs of a farm located in a white zone. A first in Belgium.
This is an innovative, low-carbon, low-polluting idea. EQUANS offers complete and tailor-made solutions to supply energy to municipalities, companies, institutions or residential areas located in white zones, i.e. zones not served by natural gas network infrastructures. At Albatros-Poteaupré farm, our teams designed a novel installation that produces heat, self-generated electricity (using two cogeneration units) and CNG refuelling.
White zone issues
Albatros-Poteaupré farm in Chimay is a multi-hectare complex designed to accommodate and support people with mental disabilities. Located in a white zone, which are prevalent in Belgium’s Hainaut, Namur, Luxembourg, and Liège provinces, the client was having difficulty finding an ecological and economical solution to meet the energy needs of its numerous facilities: main building, workshops, kitchens, a shop open to the general public, areas for market gardening or small livestock farming, etc.
50% energy savings
Drawing on their expertise and their desire to position themselves as leaders in the transition to carbon neutrality, the EQUANS teams implemented an innovative and sustainable self-production solution. The goal? To enable Albatros-Poteaupré farm to achieve an energy saving of more than 50% compared to the reference situation (fuel oil & electricity).
What is LNG?
To achieve these savings, our team chose LNG as an energy source. LNG is natural gas (methane CH4) in liquid form obtained from reducing the gas to a very low temperature. It emits little CO2 or pollutants (such as fine particles) and is easily transportable by truck. Maintained at a temperature below -162°C in a cryogenic tank, it can then be reheated in heat exchangers to supply the distribution network, when installations have gas requirements. Up to 600 times more compact than natural gas, it can be stored in large quantities in a small space and is easily combined with other equipment (cogeneration, CNG refuelling station, etc.).
Global solution
The LNG station at Albatros-Poteaupré farm will initially supply a 650-metre long heat distribution network as well as the cogeneration units. Indeed, to achieve optimum efficiency, EQUANS has equipped the main boiler with two cogeneration units that produce up to 200 MWh/year of electricity, hot water and additional heat. In a second phase, the facilities will also refuel a mini CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) station to supply fuel to a full fleet of CNG vehicles.
Fewer CO2 emissions
Less costly and more energy-efficient than “conventional” solutions, this combination will reduce CO2 emissions by 19% or 64 tonnes per year (equivalent to the annual emissions of 32 diesel cars). Eventually, EQUANS plans to convert from fossil LNG to bio-LNG (“renewable” gas), bringing annual CO2 savings to 328 tonnes. The founders of this ecological and citizen-oriented farm are thrilled. By controlling their buildings’ consumption they are also helping to make the energy transition a reality.
