At the beginning of 2024, the biogas combined heat and power (CHP) system at the Alken-Maes brewery site was successfully replaced. The original installation, in operation since 2012, had reached its maximum operating hours and was replaced with a new, more efficient CHP solution.
Alken-Maes is a Belgian brewing group that has been part of The Heineken Company since 2008. The Alken brewery produces Cristal and Maes Pils, among others. With modern facilities for brewing, fermentation, and bottling, this site is one of the most important production centers within the group.
The biogas CHP at the Alken site was installed in 2012 by Luminus Solutions (formerly Vanparijs Engineers) and has operated optimally thanks to an “omnium” maintenance contract and rigorous service. After ten years, the engine needed to be replaced. Since the wastewater treatment plant on-site continues to produce biogas, Alken-Maes chose to renew the CHP to make optimal use of the available energy.
Our longstanding collaboration and previous optimizations, along with a competitive proposal, played a key role in the decision to entrust us with this project once again.
Technical upgrade for more efficient operation
For the new installation, a 250 kWe engine from manufacturer 2G, a well-established player in the German biogas market, was selected. To optimize costs, the CHP was integrated into the existing enclosure. The project also included:
- A new control panel to ensure reliable management of gas treatment and peripheral equipment.
- A new gas analysis cabinet to accurately measure H₂S and CH₄ concentrations in the biogas.
- Additional connections for a possible expansion of gas treatment.
- An optimized CHP control system with an additional temperature sensor for better heat distribution.
- The addition of an activated carbon filter in the gas supply to control the H₂S concentration and ensure the reliability of the CHP.
- Retention of certain existing auxiliary equipment, such as the exhaust silencer, flue gas cooler, chimney, gas and smoke detection systems, dry cooler, gas scrubber, and gas storage bag.
All work was carried out by Luminus Solutions in collaboration with manufacturer 2G. The installation was commissioned in February 2024 after a twelve-week shutdown period during which the old unit was disconnected and the new one integrated, in compliance with all legal certifications and testing protocols.
A reliable investment for the future
This project marks a successful first collaboration with engine supplier 2G, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering the most suitable and high-performance solutions for our clients. In this context, the decision was also made to replace the existing gas storage bag.
With an investment of €400,000 and a new “omnium” maintenance contract for the next ten years, Alken-Maes once again has a robust and efficient CHP installation, ensuring a reliable energy supply for the years to come.