Generating power from abandoned coal mine methane

This state-of-the-art generator plant was built in 2007 in co-operation with Minegas for the generation of electricity from abandoned coal mine methane (AMM) in the Ruhr, Germany.

Green Gas Germany planned, supplied, installed and project-managed the entire plant. The equipment comprises two compressor units and three piston-engine driven, 400-volt synchronous alternators, each rated at 1,365kW (gross). The mine gas is compressed before being utilised in the gas engines to drive the alternators at grid-synchronous speed. This allows the electricity to be exported via three 2,000 kVA  step-up 400/10,000 Volt transformers.

Currently, some 27.6GWh are being supplied to the distribution network annually to power local households and businesses. The project has the potential to reduce emissions by some 115,400 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

Benefits: 

• Additional revenues from the sale of electricity
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

The attractive and acoustically-efficient enclosures have allowed the plant to be installed in a busy pedestrian zone in the re-developed area of the former coal mine.

Technical details of the project:

• 2 x RKR FCL 35-24H/R-G compressor units with 3,200nm³/h at 650 mbar
• 3 x Deutz / MWM engines TBG 620 V16K with 1,365kW electrical gross output
• 3 x cooling, exhaust, and ventilation units for the engines
• 3 x transformers 2,000 kVA
• Medium-voltage system
• Safety facilities such as gas and fire alarm systems