Geestmerambacht energy and resource plant
At the Geestmerambacht sewage treatment plant (rwzi), HHNK wants to build an energy & raw materials factory. This energy & raw materials factory consists of two parts: a central sludge digestion plant with green gas installation and the construction of one or two wind turbines. The construction of the central sludge digestion plant and the wind turbine(s) are not linked and each goes through its own process and schedule. Here we inform about the construction of the central sludge digester with green gas plant.
What will happen?
A central digester with a green gas plant consists of several components. All of these components will be built on the site of the current rwzi. Below is an initial design of the central sludge digester that will be further technically developed in 2025.
Where does the project take place?
The Geestmerambacht rwzi is particularly suitable for sludge digestion. Most of the sewage sludge to be processed comes from this treatment plant. The treatment plant is located near Alkmaar where the residue from the digester is further processed into biofuel for HVC's bio-energy plant. The location of the rwzi is ideal, close to provincial roads and little to no inconvenience to the surrounding area is expected. Part of the site is largely undeveloped and can be made suitable for the establishment of the energy and raw materials plant.
When will the project take place and how long will it take?
2024 - 2025: Develop the preliminary design into a final design and apply for associated permits.
2026: start construction.
No rights can be derived from the schedule. The schedule may be adjusted if work is delayed/delayed.
Who do we work with?
We are working together with various parties, for example, Dijk en Waard municipality, Schagen municipality, North Holland province and Noordzeekanaalgebied environmental service. In the current phase of the project, we would also like to keep local residents and stakeholders in the area surrounding the treatment plant informed of the state of affairs.
Want to know more?
For more information about this project, please contact Ms. I. Rietveld, environmental manager of the Energy and Resource Plant project, via our contact form or via the general telephone number of the Water Board: 072 - 582 8282.
Background
The Water Board has fifteen sewage treatment plants. The treatment of wastewater releases sewage sludge. All sewage treatment plants together produce about 100,000 tons of dewatered sewage sludge annually. A sludge digester converts biomass (sewage sludge) into biogas. Biogas is converted into green gas and/or electricity. Biogas thus contributes to sustainable energy generation.
In five sludge digesters, about 55% of sludge production is digested. The remaining 45%, from six sewage treatment plants, is not digested. The construction of a central sludge digestion plant at the Geestmerambacht rwzi will make it possible for us to digest all sewage sludge. This will increase HHNK's biogas production from 4.3 to 7.7 million m³ per year. By converting the biogas into green gas, HHNK's green gas production will increase from 1.0 to 3.3 million m³ per year. 3.3 million m³ of green gas is equivalent to the annual gas consumption of approximately 2,200 households. In addition, sludge digestion reduces the sludge volume by about 30% and theCO2 footprint by 5,300 tons ofCO2 per year. In 2017 (start of the Climate and Energy Program), annualCO2 emissions were 75,000 tons. Thus, the construction of the central sludge digestion plant reduces annualCO2 emissions by 7%. In addition to producing green gas, this plant will recoverCO2, phosphate, nitrogen and sulfur from sludge. Phosphate, nitrogen and sulfur can be applied as fertilizer in agriculture.CO2 can be applied in greenhouse horticulture, used as a coolant or used in the production of soft drinks. As a result, the treatment plant makes an important contribution to the circular economy and becomes a true energy and raw materials factory.
Program Energy Neutral
The Board of HHNK adopted the Climate and Energy Program (KEP) in 2017 with the ambition of being climate neutral by 2025. That is, to meet its own energy needs and beCO2 neutral. The KEP was transformed into the Energy Neutral Implementation Program in 2022. This implementation program is to accelerate, prioritize and focus the implementation of the remaining energy measures from the KEP. Specifically, this means sustainable energy generation through solar and wind energy and building the central sludge digestion plant at the Geestmerambacht rwzi.