ECLUSE

Indaver supplies steam to companies in the Antwerp port area

In Waasland Port, the left bank of Antwerp's port, Indaver, in collaboration with partners, constructed a pipe network 'ECLUSE' to convey steam from its waste-to-energy site to five companies. These industrial companies draw on the steam as needed, allowing them to switch off their own steam boilers. As a result, the emission of 100 000 tonnes of CO2 per annum is realised.

Starting point: Indaver and SLECO installations

The steam ECLUSE transports are generated during combustion in Indaver en SLECO's waste-to-energy site consisting of three grate incinerators and three fluidized bed incinerators.

Efficient transport

The steam is transported efficiently and without appreciable loss, by using superheated steam at high pressure (approx. 40 bar) and high temperature (approx. 400°C). The hot water is fed back to Indaver and SLECO via a condensate pipe, where it is reused as feedwater in the steam boiler. The insulated pipelines are around 5 kilometres in length and are laid partly underground, and partly above ground.

“Ecluse is a project on a global scale, only possible thanks to the contribution of all the partners and the support of the Flemish government. Moreover, this project is proof that “Circular Flanders” is not a far off dream and that we can achieve great things if we combine forces." 
Paul De Bruycker, Indaver CEO

Flexible green energy

The energy provision is flexible: businesses use the steam whenever they need it. Furthermore, by connecting to this network, which produces heat that is 50% green, they can fully or partly replace their own gas-fuelled boilers that produce 100% grey energy. This leads to an overall fall in their energy consumption.

One network = 50 wind turbines

ECLUSE has been operational since 2019. Annually, the incinerators produce steam with a maximum power of approximately 250 MW. Thanks to the direct validation of this steam, this delivers annual CO emissions saving of 100 000 tonnes, similar to the annual CO2 emission reduction realised by 50 2.3 MW wind turbines. In addition, the network has been designed to allow for future growth and to be able to generate a CO2 saving equal to the reduction gained from the installation of 100 wind turbines. 

Room for late joiners

At present, ECLUSE supplies steam to 5 companies: logistics partner for the chemical industry ADPO, chemicals producers AshlandMonument Chemical and INEOS Phenol, and rubber and plastics producer LANXESS. Other companies may join at a later date. ECLUSE will double capacity compared with the current demand for steam. This will also allow companies that joined from the beginning to buy additional heat at a later stage.

Partnership

ECLUSE is a partnership of Indaver, SLECOMaatschappij Linkerscheldeoever (MLSO), FINEG and the water company Water-Link.  ECLUSE called on the know-how of  network company Fluvius for the construction and operation of the steam network. 

Strategic importance

This heating network creates a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective energy provision – just one more reason for the participating companies to continue to choose the Antwerp port region. This network could be the beginning of an intensive heating network for the whole industrial area. The Flemish Government has therefore pledged 10 million euros of ecology aid to the ECLUSE project.

ECLUSE dives under river Scheldt

In a new project, ECLUSE intends to expand from the left to the right bank of the river Scheldt. The main objective is the transition to a green circular economy for the chemical industry. Once the tunnel is realised, ECLUSE will deliver steam to Evonik, one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals.
Click here to read the press release.

ECLUSE

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