A small-scale, integrated combined heat and power (CHP) station will make the Tjeldbergodden industrial complex, mid-Norway, electricity self-sufficient.
The CHP station will improve the industrial complex's regularity and have the potential to reduce emissions.
The reason for this is that the CHP station will produce electricity and steam considerably more efficiently than at present and unnecessary emissions relating to shutdown can be avoided. Carbon and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per kilowatt hour will be reduced.
The complex at Tjeldbergodden opened in 1997. (Photo: Gorm Kallestad).
"This project will take its place among other good environmental initiatives," says Lars Bjørnar Lyngmo, project manager for the Statoil Tjeldbergodden CHP station.
"Energy efficiency is one of the bulwarks in Statoil's environmental initiative. It's important to have environmental ambitions in industrial projects."
The background to the project is the unstable power supply to Tjeldbergodden facilities. This has led to several shutdowns of the complex and the situation has worsened in the last six months.
Statoil has therefore evaluated several options for becoming electricity self-sufficient.
"We chose a small-scale, integrated CHP station because it will make Tjeldbergodden non-reliant on power imports," says Mr Lyngmo.
"The new station will replace the need for imported power equivalent to six megawatts. It is also the best environmental solution. For every shutdown prevented, the environment is spared further emissions. The station will also help the distribution balance of the region's power supply."
He adds that total emissions will be within present limits, with the potential for reductions.
Estimated investment costs are placed at some NOK 85 million. The project will now move on to applying for regulatory approval, further detailing and inviting tenders with a view to a final investment decision during the third quarter of 2007.
"With a plan like this, it will be possible to have the CHP station in operation by the end of 2008," Mr Lyngmo says.