EXPLORE THE KALUNDBORG SYMBIOSIS
The Kalundborg Symbiosis is a partnership between elleven public and private companies in Kalundborg. Furthermore, we work closely together with project Biopro
Since 1972 we have developed the World’s first industrial symbiosis with a circular approach to production.
The main principle is, that a residue from one company becomes a resource at another, benefiting both the environment and the economy. Having a local partnership means that we can share and reuse resources, and that way we save money as well as minimize waste.
The symbiosis creates local growth and supports the green transition.
Click on a number or a name, to read more about the companies and streams.
GYPROC
Gyproc is a part of the Saint-Gobain group, who is a global market leader in solutions for “LIGHT CONSTRUCTION”. In Kalundborg, Gyproc produces plaster boards and utilizes the gypsum Ørsted has as a byproduct. When Ørsted cleans their exhaust for sulfur, limestone is converted to industrial grade gypsum. However instead of depositing the gypsum as waste, it is sold to Gyproc where it is used as a raw material in the production of plasterboards and is aiding in ensuring that 85 percent of the materials in Gyproc’s products are recycled. This way the Kalundborg Symbiosis gives Gyproc access to local raw materials of a high quality at a competitive price.
Gyproc develops innovative, market leading and sustainable solutions with a focus on increasing demands for energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction. Many walls and ceilings in Denmark and the rest of the world are covered with plasterboards from Gyproc, where part of the gypsum is a residual which has become a resource for Gyproc in Kalundborg, which has around 145 employees.
Read more about Gyproc here
ARGO
ARGO (formerly known as Kara/Noveren) handles waste for companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis as well as companies and households in nine municipalities on Zealand. ARGO is a stakeholder owned waste management company and has a total of 125 employees, 13 of which are located in Kalundborg, where ARGO operates recycling centers for Kalundborg Municipality. Here the waste is divided into fractions and recycled and reused as much as possible. The remainder is used for electricity and heat production.
Read more about argo here
LAKE TISSØ
Tissø supplies the Kalundborg Symbiosis with surface water for cooling and production purposes. This is made possible via a 12 kilometer long pipeline, which was established in 1961 by a public-private partnership between the refinery and Kalundborg Municipality. It was the first step towards the successful symbiosis partnership that has now existed in Kalundborg for over 50 years.
Tissø is the fourth largest lake in Denmark with an area of 12,3 square kilometers. It is where the biggest North European Viking settlements were located, and the place was a trading hub with international contacts.
It is told, that if you, on Midsummer’s Eve, drink from the lake’s waters, nothing ill will befall you for a year. It is unknown whether the legend is still true, but the companies that utilizes the water have definitely not been unlucky. On both Midsummer’s Day and the rest of the year, Kalundborg Utility extracts the surface water for cooling and also delivers a cleaned, potable version, which is part of the enzyme production at Novozymes
EQUINOR
Equinor in Kalundborg is the largest refinery in Denmark and the only one in the world, where the residual sulfur from the desulphurisation plant is converted to liquid and high-efficiency fertilizer. The Kalundborg Symbiosis provides Equinor with easy access to steam for process purposes, cooling and surface water, as well as various types of specialized water.
The Kalundborg Symbiosis assists in streamlining the operation of the refinery, where 335 employees produce some of the cleanest petrol and diesel in the world, which is virtually free of sulphur.
Read more about Equinor here
ØRSTED
Ørsted (formerly known as DONG Energy) owns Asnæsværket, which produces steam, electricity and heat. The steam is delivered to partners in the Kalundborg Symbiosis and in the plant itself, the steam is used to drive turbines which, with the help of big generators, produce electricity for the power grid. The residual heat from that production is utilized as district heating for households and companies in Kalundborg City. For Gyproc, Ørsted supplies gypsum, which is a byproduct of the sulfur cleansing of the exhaust smoke. Ørsted also has a close cooperation with Statoil about exchanges of special water fractions and utilization of surface water and residual ene-gy. Ørsted diverts part of the rain water from their areas to a water reservoir, where the water is gathered for production. So in this way, it reduces the extraction and use of potable water from groundwater or surface water from Tissø, since the rain water is very suitable for the production purpose.
Ørsted plays a central part in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, especially with the plans and projects that have been put to work to transition the energy and steam production from coal to biogas and biomass.
Read more about Ørsted here.
KALUNDBORG UTILITY
Kalundborg Utility extracts and delivers surface water and cleansed surface water to the partners of the Ka-lundborg Symbiosis. Kalundborg Utility also has one of Northern Europe’s biggest and most advanced water treatment plant, which uses ozone (O3) to process the difficulty degradable organic compounds. Kalundborg Utility processes wastewater for both the industry, companies and households in Kalundborg Municipality, as well as deliver potable water and district heating to companies and households in Kalundborg City.
Kalundborg Utility has 70 employees and plays a central role in the utilization of waterborne resources in the Kalundborg Symbiosis and are part of several new projects. For example, Kalundborg Utility is working on utilizing the residual heat in the process and wastewater from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, which is always around 20 degrees Celcius. That leftover heat can be utilized in the district heating grid by using heat pumps.
Read more about Kalundborg Utility here..
NOVO NORDISK & NOVOZYMES LAND-OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Novo Nordisk and Novozymes are part of a common landowners’ association, with the purpose to run and maintain the two companies’ common production areas in Kalundborg. This is where water and energy flows for both companies are distributed.
NOVO NORDISK
Novo Nordisk Kalundborg has 3,500 employees and produces 50 % of the world’s insulin. A total of 28 million patients worldwide use the insulin, that starts its journey in one of the production facilities in Kalundborg.
The insulin is purified from a basic material, which is produced using fermentation processes. The microorgan-isms in the fermentation tank are fueled primarily by sugars, vitamins, and other micronutrients. This type and size of production has big demands in terms of water and energy, which means that Novo Nordisk benefits greatly from being part of the Kalundborg Symbiosis, where there is easy access to energy and water, as well as good opportunities to develop the production to make it even more sustainable. Novo Nordisk also contributes by utilizing surplus heat and residual fractions for example for fertilizers and the production of biogas.
With its about 3,500 employees, a solid investment growth, and focus on sustainable production, Novo Nordisk Kalundborg plays a central part for the Kalundborg Symbiosis by creating new projects.
Read more about Novo Nordisk here
KALUNDBORG BIOENERGY
Biogas and fertilizer potentials from residual biomass from Novozymes (Novogro) and Novo Nordisk (yeast slurry) is exploited and realised at a biogas plant with in the symbiosis. At the biogas plant biogas is produced and upgraded to natural gas quality through a refining process where carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are removed from the product. Natural gas is send to local companies (Gyproc, Equinor) and to end consumers via the national gas grid. Sulfur from the hydrogen sulphide fraction is collected and reused in fertilizer products together with the gasified biomass residual. Kalundborg Bioenergy is established in a partnership between Ørsted, Bigadan, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.
UNIBIO
Unibio is an innovative developer of protein production technology that converts methane from any source into a highly concentrated organic protein used as ingredients in both food and feed.
Unibio’s bio-industrial innovation disrupts the protein value chain by decoupling protein production from farming and fishing and offering an organic, sustainable solution.
The technology developed by Unibio replicates the microbiological processes that occur in nature every day. Unibio has succeeded in transferring this natural conversion of methane to protein into a viable bio-industrial process using the U-Loop® fermentor patented by Unibio. The fermentation technology has been demonstrated in pilot and demonstration scale in Kalundborg and is currently being tested in commercial scale abroad.
Unibio benefits from the biogas that Kalundborg Symbiosis offers and have high expectations for future collaboration in the symbiose.
Read more about Unibio here
NOVOZYMES WASTEWATER AND BIOGAS
Novozymes has its own wastewater and biogas plant, which utilizes the resources in the residuals from the production to produce electricity, heat and high-value fertilizer. Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas handles the residual process water and biomass from the production at both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk. This is where the first step in the treatment of the water, which is very rich in nutritious substances, happens. Some of the process water and residual ethanol from Novo Nordisk is used to produce biogas, which fuels a large engine and generator producing electricity for the grid. The residual heat from this is utilized on the facility site. A small part of the de-gassed process water from the biogas plant is sent to Kalundborg Municipality’s micro-algae plant. This is a test-plant, where micro-algae cleans the water and at the same time binds CO2 and thus delivers high-value products.
The leftover biomass and solid fraction from the process water, from both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, is mixed with calcium and turned into NovoGro 30 – a high-value fertilizer, which is sold to farmers.
NOVOZYMES
Novozymes er verdens største producent af enzymer til industrien og nyder godt af, at Kalundborg Symbiosen tilbyder procesdamp og renset overfladevand fra Tissø. Novozymes’ produktion kræver nemlig store mængder vand, energi og biomasse. De store mængder betyder også, at det batter noget, når Novozymes er med til at skabe nye symbiosemuligheder og udnytter de eksisterende. Eksempelvis når rester fra produktionen bliver til NovoGro 30 gødning, eller når brugt procesvand anvendes til at producere biogas og el.
Novozymes har fabrikker over hele verden, og på fabrikken i Kalundborg er der cirka 600 ansatte. Her producerer Novozymes blandt andet enzymer, der øger vaskepulvers vaskeevne – og enzymer, der reducerer brug af kemikalier i industrielle processer. Enzymerne fremstilles i en gæringsproces, hvor eksempelvis majs-, sukker- og kartoffelstivelse er råvarerne.
Læs mere om Novozymes her
AVISTA GREEN
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KALUNDBORG UTILITY’S HEAT PUMP
Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump plays an important role in the city’s district heating supply. When the wastewater is purified it has reached a temperature of 22 degrees Celcius.
The wastewater is directed to a heat exchanger, where a heat pump, powered by electricity, draws energy from the wastewater and boosts it to 72-87 degrees Celcius district heating. This takes place at times where the demand for district heating in the city is at its highest.
The heat pump can supply up to 10 MW of district heating.
1. STEAM
Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.
Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.
At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.
At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.
1. STEAM
Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.
Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.
At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.
At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.
1. STEAM
Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.
Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.
At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.
At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.
1. STEAM
Running along the roads, in the industrial area of Kalundborg, are big green pipes, which transports steam from Asnæsværket to several partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The green pipes have become the symbol of the industrial symbiosis and is the most visible sign that the companies in the symbiosis are connected.
Previously, Asnæsværket had an overcapacity of steam as part of the electricity production. In time, the steam for the Kalundborg Symbiosis has become a main product and electricity a byproduct. This development shows that industrial symbioses, over time, can advance new business models.
At Statoil’s refinery, the steam is used to heat the raw oil, so volatile compounds are separated, and the raw oil is condensed into gasoline, diesel and other compounds at different temperatures.
At Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam is used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, sterilization and distillation.
2. POWER TO THE GRID
Novozymes produces biogas from the process water, from the production at both Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, since the process water contains many nutrients. The biogas fuels a large engine and generator, which delivers 47,000 MWh per year. This is equivalent to the consumption of around 12,000 Danish households. The excess heat from the large gas engine is utilized locally on-site for heating. This way the use of fossil fuels for both electricity and heat production is negated.
3. WARM CONDENSATE
For certain purposes in the production at Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam received from Ørsted is too hot. Therefore, the temperature is reduced to about 200 degrees. This is done by using it to heat up “used” steam from the production. The “used” steam, which is about 90 degrees, is called warm condensate. This condensate loops and recycles locally on site when it is made to “new” 200 degrees hot steam. Some of the warm condensate is also used to preheat fresh water for local steam production, so that the water temperature rises from 10 to 90 degrees. Thus, steam production requires less energy.
3. WARM CONDENSATE
For certain purposes in the production at Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam received from Ørsted is too hot. Therefore, the temperature is reduced to about 200 degrees. This is done by using it to heat up “used” steam from the production. The “used” steam, which is about 90 degrees, is called warm condensate. This condensate loops and recycles locally on site when it is made to “new” 200 degrees hot steam. Some of the warm condensate is also used to preheat fresh water for local steam production, so that the water temperature rises from 10 to 90 degrees. Thus, steam production requires less energy.
3. WARM CONDENSATE
For certain purposes in the production at Novozymes and Novo Nordisk, the steam received from Ørsted is too hot. Therefore, the temperature is reduced to about 200 degrees. This is done by using it to heat up “used” steam from the production. The “used” steam, which is about 90 degrees, is called warm condensate. This condensate loops and recycles locally on site when it is made to “new” 200 degrees hot steam. Some of the warm condensate is also used to preheat fresh water for local steam production, so that the water temperature rises from 10 to 90 degrees. Thus, steam production requires less energy.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
4. DISTRICT HEATING
District heating is common practice in Denmark. More than 60 percent of Danish households are heated by district heating. At Ørsted’s CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plant, Asnæsværket, part of the energy, which is converted to steam and electricity, is turned into district heating. This is sent to Kalundborg Utility, who then distributes it to citizens and companies. Kalundborg Utility’s heat pump ensures that the city’s citizens are supplied with additional heat in the coldest months of the year.
In addition to receiving district heating from Kalundborg Utility, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes utilize part of the excess heat that is generated from their own production. The utilization of the excess heat happens locally, on-site, and means that the heat production uses less resources.
Additionally, Gyproc also supplies Kalundborg Utility with heat for district heating.
5. NATURAL GAS
At the biogas plant biogas is upgraded to natural gas quality and send via the national grid to symbiosis partners (Gyproc and Equinor) and other end consumers. Through the upgrading process sulfur and carbon dioxide is removed. However, sulfer is redirected into a production of fertilizers based primarily on the gasified residual biomass.
6. WASTEWATER
Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.
Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.
6. WASTEWATER
Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.
Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.
6. WASTEWATER
Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.
Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.
6. WASTEWATER
Kalundborg Utility is responsible for the final purification of the waste water from the companies in the Kalundborg Symbiosis, but before that, several of the partners have cleaned and treated the waste themselves, so it complies with the legal requirements. Even though these flows are indicated with the same number, the term covers several different types and qualities of process and wastewater from the companies. Some types of wastewater run in separate pipes, so the purification process can be done optimally and with the lowest possible energy use.
Before being discharged into the environment, the purified wastewater from Kalundborg Utility is run through a heat exchanger at the heat pump. Here part of the heat in the wastewater is utilized for district heat production.
7. CLEANED WASTEWATER
The Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas plant is where the first part of the purification of process water from the production in Novozymes and Novo Nordisk happens. Hereafter the water is led to the final purification at Kalundborg Utility. The entire process is highly benefited by the fact that wastewater and process water from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk always is around 20 degrees. This means that the bacteria cleaning the water is faster, more efficient and with a lower energy consumption. This wat, the excess heat in the water helps saving re-sources.
7. CLEANED WASTEWATER
The Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas plant is where the first part of the purification of process water from the production in Novozymes and Novo Nordisk happens. Hereafter the water is led to the final purification at Kalundborg Utility. The entire process is highly benefited by the fact that wastewater and process water from Novozymes and Novo Nordisk always is around 20 degrees. This means that the bacteria cleaning the water is faster, more efficient and with a lower energy consumption. This wat, the excess heat in the water helps saving re-sources.
8. SURFACE WATER
Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.
8. SURFACE WATER
Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.
8. SURFACE WATER
Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.
8. SURFACE WATER
Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.
8. SURFACE WATER
Millions of cubic meters of surface water from Tissø are used annually by the Kalundborg Symbiosis, instead of drinking water from groundwater reserves. The surface water runs in a 13 kilometer long pipeline from Tissø to Kalundborg Utility, and is then distributed on to the companies. The surface water is used for cooling in production at Equinor, Ørsted and Novo Nordisk. In addition, Ørsted has a water reservoir where they extract surface water used in the plant that cleans the smoke for sulfur.
9. USED COOLING WATER
Used cooling water is a residue from Statoil, and is by origin surface water from Lake Tissø, that has been used for cooling in a closed pipe system at the refinery. The water has therefore not been polluted, and is send back to Ørsted for steam production at Asnæsværket. This means that the amount of water collected from Lake Tissø is reduced, and energy is saved because the used cooling water has a higher temperature that surface water from Lake Tissø, and is easier heated to steam.
10. DEIONIZED WATER
When Ørsted produces electricity, the generators are powered by steam turbines, requiring that the steam in this case is made of deionized water (make-up-water). This is also known as demineralized water, as all minerals and salts has been removed to avoid breaking internal parts of the steam turbines, boilers and the heat pipes.
Ørsted also delivers deionized water for Equinor’s steam production, which is based on the residual heat from the refinery.
10. DEIONIZED WATER
When Ørsted produces electricity, the generators are powered by steam turbines, requiring that the steam in this case is made of deionized water (make-up-water). This is also known as demineralized water, as all minerals and salts has been removed to avoid breaking internal parts of the steam turbines, boilers and the heat pipes.
Ørsted also delivers deionized water for Equinor’s steam production, which is based on the residual heat from the refinery.
11. CLEANED SURFACE WATER
Out of the more than 3 million cubic meters of surface water recovered from Tissø and used in Kalundborg Symbiosen, more than 1 million cubic meters will be cleaned to the quality of drinking water. It all ends up at Novozymes, where the cleaned surface water is used directly in their production of industrial enzymes. This saves drinking water and conserves groundwater reserves. Furthermore Novozymes can reduce one of the production costs significantly, being that cleaned surface water is far cheaper than drinking water.
11. CLEANED SURFACE WATER
Out of the more than 3 million cubic meters of surface water recovered from Tissø and used in Kalundborg Symbiosen, more than 1 million cubic meters will be cleaned to the quality of drinking water. It all ends up at Novozymes, where the cleaned surface water is used directly in their production of industrial enzymes. This saves drinking water and conserves groundwater reserves. Furthermore Novozymes can reduce one of the production costs significantly, being that cleaned surface water is far cheaper than drinking water.
12. WASTE
Argo receives waste from Kalundborg Utility as well as the other partners of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. The recyclable waste is sorted into fractions and subsequently disposed of to the recycling industry. The waste is energy-utilized for electricity and heat production at Roskilde Kraftvarmeværk.
13. SULPHUR
Equinor Refining Denmark removes sulphur from the oil and converts the sulfur into ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) that boost the growth of plants. Instead of contaminating the air by burning the sulfur has become a valuable resource sold to the large fertilizer companies in Denmark.
ATS is a liquid fertilizer, making it easier for the farmers to dose the amount and thus fertilize more efficiently. ATS causes the plants to absorb the Sulphur and other nutrients better, which leads to less evaporation of nitrogen. So, instead of becoming acid and damaging rain, the sulphur is channeled to the right crops as a booster for their growth.
14. YEAST SLURRY
Novo Nordisk produces insulin through a fermentation process, where yeast cells grow primarily on sugar and vitamins. When the fermentation process is finalized, and insulin is fractionated out, a nutritional mixture called yeast slurry is retained. This fraction is send to a biogas plant for gasification, resulting in a production of biogas that is upgraded to natural gas quality and a production of fertilizers
15. SAND
The Kalundborg Utility treats the wastewater from homes and companies and collects a large amount of sand from the wastewater in their sand traps. The sand consists of different sizes of pebbles and gravel and is excellent as filling for digging jobs. All sand used for work like this is rinsed, sanitized and checked to make sure it meets the requirements to be reused as filling.
16. SLUDGE
When Kalundborg Utility treats the wastewater from homes and companies, one of the residues is sludge. Part of this sludge is delivered to farmers for fertilizer, as the sludge contains nutrients. Before leaving the treatment plant at Kalundborg Utility, the sludge is sanitized and checked, to make sure it is usable for all types of farm land and private gardens.
So, instead of being a problem, the sludge is exploited and displaces the use of commercial fertilizer. This reduces the use of nature’s own minerals and resources.
17. NOVOGRO
NovoGro is not only a waste product to dispose when Novo and Novozymes are done letting their yeasts eat off their biomass and produce enzymes and medications like insulin. It is also a highly valued fertilizer. After additional mineralization in a biogas plant, NovoGro is able to release its nutrients over an entire growing season in a form that is highly accessible for slow growing plants. Because of this ability, many farmers – and especially beet farmers – are very interested in this type of fertilizer, in order to get the higher yield. Also, this prevents using nature's own minerals and resources, and it becomes part of the circle of life, by once again ending up in the ground.
18. ETHANOL WASTE
Ethanol is part of certain parts of the process when Novo Nordisk produces insulin. Much of the ethanol can be regenerated. Some of the ethanol-containing residues that cannot be regenerated are sent, among other things, to the biogas plant at Novozymes Miljøteknik. Here the ethanol residues are converted to biogas. Kalundborg Utility also receives ethanol-containing residues, which help the processes in their treatment plants, among other things by removing nitrogen in the wastewater.
18. ETHANOL WASTE
Ethanol is part of certain parts of the process when Novo Nordisk produces insulin. Much of the ethanol can be regenerated. Some of the ethanol-containing residues that cannot be regenerated are sent, among other things, to the biogas plant at Novozymes Miljøteknik. Here the ethanol residues are converted to biogas. Kalundborg Utility also receives ethanol-containing residues, which help the processes in their treatment plants, among other things by removing nitrogen in the wastewater.
19. BIOMASS
Novozymes has a large production and sales of biomass, such as potato and corn starch.
When Novozymes has finished letting yeast cells eat some of this biomass, the remains contain a lot of nutrients. The remains represent the largest part of their NovoGro 30 production, which takes place in Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas department, which also accounts for wastewater treatment and biogas production.
19. BIOMASS
Novozymes has a large production and sales of biomass, such as potato and corn starch.
When Novozymes has finished letting yeast cells eat some of this biomass, the remains contain a lot of nutrients. The remains represent the largest part of their NovoGro 30 production, which takes place in Novozymes Wastewater and Biogas department, which also accounts for wastewater treatment and biogas production.
20. FERTILIZER
Biogas and fertilizer potentials from residual biomass from Novozymes (Novogro) and Novo Nordisk (yeast slurry) is exploited and realised at a biogas plant with in the symbiosis. At the biogas plant biogas is produced and upgraded to natural gas quality through a refining process where carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are removed from the product. Natural gas is send to local companies (Gyproc, Equinor) and to end consumers via the national gas grid. Sulfur from the hydrogen sulphide fraction is collected and reused in fertilizer products together with the gasified biomass residual. Kalundborg Bioenergy is established in a partnership between Ørsted, Bigadan, Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.
ENERGY
1. Steam
2. Power to the grid
3. Warm condensate
4. District heating
5. Natural gas
WATER
6. Wastewater
7. Cleaned wastewater
8. Surface water
9. Used cooling water
10. Deionized water
11. Cleaned surface water
MATERIALS
12. Waste
13. Sulphur
14. Yeast slurry
15. Sand
16. Sludge
17. NovoGro
28. Ethanol waste
19. Biomass
20. Fertilizer
