SUMMARY

The facility will produce LNG from biogas supplied from nearby agricultural and municipal sources. [Image: REEFUELERY GmbH]

By Callum Cyrus

German industrial services provider Bilfinger said August 23 it has been awarded the construction contract for a bio-LNG project in Burghaun near the German city of Fulda that will produce up to 180 metric tons/day of biomethane-based liquefied fuels for LNG-powered trucks.

The bio-LNG facility will produce enough LNG to run 4,500 heavy-duty trucks on a permanently climate-neutral basis. When compared with typical diesel fuel vehicles, this could help reduce CO2 emissions by around 550,000 metric tons/year.

Bilfinger was awarded the contract by bio-LNG fuels and infrastructure venture REEFUELERY, a partnership of regional utility Erdgas Sudwest and sustainable energy logistics business avanca.

The land for the bio-LNG construction project was purchased by REEFUELERY in February.

Erdgas Sudwest and its biomethane marketing subsidiary bmp greengas have both signed up to use the bio-LNG for heavy duty transport, as has avanca subsidiary Alternoil, which will provide the LNG through its retail network.

Bilfinger's award scope includes EPC services for the facility as well as building pipelines with insulation to withstand super-cool liquefaction temperatures, as low as 196 degrees Celsius. 

Company officials say the bio-LNG plant will comprise a "large number" of parts, including liquefaction components, cleaning, pumps, storage tanks and devices for refueling the tanker trucks.

Jurgen Muhle, CEO of REEFUELERY, said: "Bilfinger has previously proven to be a competent and reliable partner for us on other projects. 

"We are delighted that we can once again rely on Bilfinger's expertise in plant construction for the construction of our Bio-LNG plant near Fulda."