Tampereen Energia and Ren-Gas collaborate on utilizing CO2 emissions and waste heat. The project, supported by €46 million from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, will see the construction of an e-methane production facility in Tarastenjärvi, Tampere. The collaboration has the potential to lead to international deals. Tampereen Energia and e-methane project developer Nordic Ren-Gas announced on Wednesday, January 22, that they have signed agreements to utilize carbon dioxide emissions and waste heat. The announcement was made during the two-day H2 hydrogen industry trade fair at Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre. Concluding her early afternoon stage presentation, Ren-Gas CEO Saara Kujala invited Tampereen Energia CEO Jussi Laitinen to join her on stage. They expressed their delight that negotiations had culminated just moments earlier in the signing of the agreements during the event. According to the companies’ press releases, they have entered into an agreement to channel carbon dioxide from Tammervoima’s waste-to-energy plant to Ren-Gas’s e-methane production facility, which will be built in Tarastenjärvi, Tampere. E-methane is a synthetic, renewable gas that can be used in both land and maritime transport. Additionally, the waste heat generated during e-methane production will be transferred to Tampereen Energia’s district heating network. Waste heat is a source of renewable energy. “Thanks to these agreements, Tampere homes will be increasingly heated by waste heat, while reducing traffic emissions across Finland,” Tampereen Energia CEO Jussi Laitinen stated in the press release. Ren-Gas CEO Saara Kujala delivered a lecture on the company’s role in the European hydrogen economy value chain at the H2 hydrogen event held at Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre. Photo: Petri Kangas Construction will begin this year In its press release, Nordic Ren-Gas announced that the Tampere project has been granted a €46 million investment support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The construction of the production facility is planned to begin in 2025, with commercial operations set to start in 2027. According to Ren-Gas’s plans, the e-methane plant will produce 170 GWh of renewable methane and 180 GWh of carbon dioxide-free district heating annually. As a result, the use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions will decrease significantly, Ren-Gas estimates. “We have been working very closely with Tampereen Energia, and this project is a tangible and groundbreaking example of the benefits of sector integration for all parties. It has been made possible through strong cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing the green transition,” said Lauri Puro, Project Development Manager at Nordic Ren-Gas, in the press release. “Carbon capture plays a significant role in our plans. As Ren-Gas demonstrates, the technologies needed for carbon capture are already available, and through them, district heating further promotes emission reductions in other sectors, such as transportation,” Laitinen added in the press release. The hydrogen event attracted a good crowd, with all seats filled on the opening day. Photo: Petri Kangas Global aspect According to its statement, Tampereen Energia sees Ren-Gas’s e-methane production facility as a pioneer in sector integration, which will also attract international investors to Tampere. A recent example of this is from Wednesday, January 22. Norwegian energy company Freija is planning to build one of Europe’s largest fuel production facilities in Nokia. The Tampere region is witnessing numerous initiatives promoting the green transition and the growth of renewable energy. In Tampere, GE Vernova is developing technology that stabilizes the electrical grid and enhances its reliability. At the end of the year, the company received a major order from Germany. This multi-million order reflects international demand. e-metaani hiilidioksidi hukkalämpö siirtymä uutinen