Tognum extends its program of biogas-distributed power plants

• Electric power generation sets and combined heat and power plants with biogas engines up to 2MW
• Series-production engines available from March 2011
• Versions for sewage and landfill gas scheduled

Friedrichshafen/Augsburg/Hanover, 16 November 2010. From 16 to 19 November, at the BioEnergy Decentral exhibition in Hanover, Tognum subsidiary MTU Onsite Energy GmbH Gas Power Systems will be showcasing electric power generation sets and combined heat and power (CHP) modules with the new Series 4000 biogas engines for the first time. With an electrical output of up to 2MW, these units complete the biogas product portfolio at the top end of the range. “The biogas version of our extremely successful Series 4000 engines is a vital element in the targeted expansion of our strategically important business with distributed power generation plants,” said Christof von Branconi, member of the Tognum Executive Board responsible for the Onsite Energy & Components business unit.

These more powerful engines mean that operators of larger biogas plants can achieve even greater cost efficiency because, among other benefits, service and maintenance costs can be reduced in comparison with plants based on smaller engines and because superior power density reduces space requirements. Market introduction of biogas power generation plants based on 8, 12, 16 and 20-cylinder engines covering an output range from around 770kW to 2,000kW will take place in stages from March 2011. In addition, plants based on CHP modules provide access to an extra 2.6MW of thermal energy. Plans are also underway to introduce other versions during the course of next year. These include sewage and landfill gas with other versions for special gases scheduled for later.

Market introduction of the new Series 4000 biogas engines was prece-ded by exhaustive trials; at GF-Bio-Energie Hasetal GmbH, Löningen, a 12-cylinder Series 4000 biogas CHP module successfully completed practical trials extending over a total of around 7,500 hours of operation.

The new biogas engines are based on the modular concept of the Series 4000 engines which covers both diesel and gas engines and is available in various versions for more than 20 different applications. Natural-gas-fueled Series 4000 engines have been in service for eight years. Now their design and control technology has been adapted by mtu Onsite Energy to match the peculiarities of operation with biogas.