Almost 1,600 residents and a number of schools and shops in the Eindhoven district of Meerhoven will soon be keeping warm thanks to a brand new, high-tech bioenergy power plant. The residual heat released by burning local wood chips is used for district heating and to generate electricity. “We took responsibility for a crucial element; the wood-fired heat recovery steam generator”, explains Paul Weersink, Senior Energy Consultant at Stork Thermeq.

The 8 megawatt boiler was realised in seven months, and produces high-temperature, high-pressure steam that allows the incinerator to increase its electricity yield. “In practice, this means that the boiler is extremely susceptible to contamination and corrosion and requires more maintenance”, explains Weersink. “However, experiences with an identical system erected in Friesland proved the opposite. That system has been operating without any measurable wear for three years, which is relatively unique.”

Involved
From day one, Stork Technical Services was closely involved, and put its know-how at the disposal of Imtech. “We could have just manufactured the boiler and left it at the gate. But Stork typically plans and coordinates the entire process from start to finish. We want to ensure that the whole chain runs optimally, something which Imtech valued.” In addition, Stork has every discipline in house to create the entire product in-house; from design to delivery to start-up. The boiler is 100% Dutch-built. Weersink: “But that's not all. We also take care of installation, implementation and maintenance.” Imtech’s satisfaction can be deduced from the fact that Stork is currently negotiating two new boilers.