Hyperthermics' test plant will be installed at Nature Energy's biogas plant at Videbæk. (Photo: Nature Energy)
Norwegian company Hyperthermics AS in Ulsteinvik is to deliver a test plant to one of the world’s largest biogas producers – the Danish company Nature Energy. If the six-month test period is successful, there is talk of supplying several sizeable plants.
Hyperthermics’ technology uses heat-loving bacteria from the Earth’s interior in the process. This will provide a significantly faster breakdown of biomass and therefore greater capacity than a similar plant using conventional bacteria. Hyperthermics’ laboratory in Regensburg in Germany has been working on the bacterial compositions of many different types of biomass since the company started in 2006.
Nature Energy is a perfect partner for Hyperthermics to test the technology. Not only due to the biogas company’s size, but also because of its pioneering approach to new technology and continuous focus on R&D. Nature Energy has its own laboratory and research personnel, which makes the company a perfect sparring partner for Hyperthermics.
If everything goes according to plan, the Hyperthermics technology could be installed at several of Nature Energy’s large plants. The first plant needs to be capable of processing 200,000 tonnes of straw, livestock manure and other agricultural waste per year.
Generally, there is a great demand for biogas in several parts of society. This particularly applies to the energy-intensive industry and the heavy part of the transport sector, where biogas can make a major difference in the green transition.
The goal with the collaboration is to provide Nature Energy with increased efficiency and flexibility in the utilisation of different types of biomass and waste. Hyperthermics hopes and believes that this will be the start of a long-term collaboration.
Major opportunities in Europe
Several European countries are far ahead of Norway with regard to utilising biogas as a CO2-neutral energy source from biomass and waste. Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS, has great expectations:
“For several years we have had a full-scale development and reference plant in Drammen. However, the delivery to Denmark is expected to represent one of several commercial breakthroughs for the company. Nature Energy is one of the largest biogas companies in the world and the choices it makes will be noticed way beyond the borders of Denmark.
For Hyperthermics, the agreement is confirmation that our competence in product development in Ulsteinvik in Norway and Regensburg in Germany is unique. I would like to thank our owners and the business community in Sunnmøre who have contributed with both capital and belief in the technology,” says Haugsbø.
Specialises in two areas
The technology and the methodology can be applied to a number of contexts, but Hyperthermics has chosen to invest in two areas: Increased biogas production at biogas plants and protein production of aquaculture sludge and offal.
Unique bacterial strain
The bacteria that is used lives in extreme conditions deep down in the ecosystems of the globe. Here they thrive in environments characterised by high pressure, high levels of heat, or high salt levels, for example.