Carbon capture from renewable energy

 

Summer 2016


As one of the major initiatives encompassed by Oslo's new climate and energy action plan, Klemetsrud plant is currently undergoing a test program for establishment of at least one full-scale plant for CO2 capture by 2020.

The Klemetsrud Plant is one of Eastern Norway's largest land-based industrial companies, and a major point source for CO2 emissions from biological materials. Nevertheless, significant CO2 emissions from the process still remain.

A Carbon capture and Storage (CCS) initiative can significantly contribute to reducing these greenhouse gas emissions. When CO2 is drawn from the air and deposited, the emissions are reduced to less than neutral, going from plus to minus in the emission calculation. Then the so called "carbon negativity" is achieved.

Oslo has a unique opportunity to further develop its status as a European pioneer in the area of environmental and climate efforts, and to have a leading role in the development of technology related to the capture and storage of CO2 emissions from waste-to-energy plants. Carbon capture from renewable energy contributes toward a more sustainable waste management, as well as a green circular economy and can potentially increase the sustainable performance of the Klemetsrud plant.

Some of the reasons that made Klemetsrud an ideal candidate for a CCS project are:

  • - The plant will be in operation continuously throughout the year, and will still be operating after 40 years, even if ownership changes hands over time. It therefore provides an excellent base for technological development.
  • - The plant provides flexible energy, supplying both heat and electricity.
  • - It's located relatively close to Oslo Harbour, and boat transport of liquid CO2 from Oslo Harbour will be feasible.
  • - A Norwegian pilot plant could pave the way for greater emphasis on CCS in tendering procedures and criteria, and for future requirements regarding CCS at waste-to-energy plants within the EU.

IMPACT ON AIR AND WATER
Klemetsrud plant meets very strict environmental requirements in its operations, in fact stricter than the requirements imposed by the authorities. This, combined with an ongoing upgrade of the facilities, result in very low emissions to surrounding air and water. Flue gas emanating from the incinerators at Klemetsrud undergo an extensive cleaning process involving several stages, in order to ensure the proper removal of all pollutants and the lowest possible emissions. After the thorough cleaning process, the smoke that emanates from the chimney is 99.78% pure water vapour.

EFFICIENT WASTE MANAGEMENT
Overall, the plant contributes to the environment by processing residual waste that may otherwise end up at landfill sites and converting it into eco-friendly energy. A major advantage of the source-sorting system utilized by the plant is that bags with different types of waste can all be dumped into the same bin and transported in the same vehicle to the waste management plant. This further reduces CO2 emissions on transport and saves space in urban areas, since it becomes unnecessary to have several different waste containers for the various waste categories.


CONTACT DETAILS
Kjell Henrik Olsen
CMO
Klemetsrudanlegget AS (KEA)
(+47) 904 77 115
Resepsjon/Switchboard: (+47) 815 000 53