The power plant will be built at Kohler’s Reggio Emilia site, a global hub for diesel engine production. CO2 reduction of 1,300 t/year and energy cost savings of up to 15 percent are expected.
May, 2023 – Kohler Engines, a Kohler company that has specialized in engine production since over a century, and Grastim, a JV specializing in high-efficiency technology solutions, have signed an agreement for a new hybrid self-generation plant at the historic Reggio Emilia facility. The project includes a 2 MW trigeneration plant and an 860 kW photovoltaic park integrated with each other, as well as the possibility of also being powered by hydrogen (hydrogen ready). In parallel Kohler will be deploying Heila Technologies Heila IQ system to monitor and optimise plant energy use.
The two plants together, trigeneration and photovoltaics, will have important environmental and economic impacts: they will ensure a CO2 reduction of up to 1,300 t/year, equal to almost 20 percent (19.5 percent) of the site’s energy emissions, and energy cost savings of up to 15 percent.
Core to the plant is an INNIO Jenbacher natural gas engine, distributed by another Kohler company, Clarke Energy. It is a new state-of-the-art engine that compared with others on the market provides even more flexibility in fuel choice, more efficiency, and cost and CO2 emission savings.
The entire hybrid plant is already set up for the future: photovoltaics could be extended over parking areas and other buildings for up to an additional 2 MW, and the cogeneration module is already hydrogen ready, meaning it is capable of being powered by up to 20 percent hydrogen in the fuel mix. Green hydrogen would also potentially be producible on- site by electrolysis, in case of excess PV production, and then be reused in the trigenerator.
With this transaction, Kohler Engines confirms its strategy of increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability, investing in multiple technological solutions on the road to energy transition. For its part, Grastim further expands and integrates its high-efficiency technology solutions for large industrial players committed to decarbonizing their manufacturing operations.
“At Kohler, we believe everything can constantly be improved, consistent with our belief that underlies the Believing in Better philosophy. After achieving the ISO 50001 certification, our Reggio Emilia facility is further accelerating its decarbonization and energy efficiency path. We are investing in renewable and diversified energy sources: a renewal that concerns not only the development of environmentally advanced technologies for our engines, but also the programs to reduce our operational environmental footprint of our production facilities.”
Vincenzo Perrone, President of Kohler Engines.
“After so many international experiences, it is a source of pride for Grastim to set foot in the heart of Italy’s very own Motor Valley; we do so by proposing a hybrid solution, and above all a versatile one, to make room for subsequent technological evolutions, with a view to decarbonization and energy transition, already in the timeframe of the agreement just signed.”
Baldo Pavolini, Investments and Operations Director of Grastim.
“This project demonstrates the potential for hydrogen-ready gas engine CHP to combine with other low carbon power generation technologies and support cost and carbon reduction for manufacturers”
Alex Marshall, Group Business Development and Marketing Director US at Clarke Energy.
About Clarke Energy
Clarke Energy, a KOHLER Company, is a leader in the engineering, design, installation, and long-term maintenance of distributed energy solutions. Clarke Energy can delivery complex installations and microgrids incorporating gas engine CHP units, battery energy storage systems, biogas upgrading systems and solar photovoltaic units. Clarke Energy can supply solutions including a range of low carbon or decarbonized fuels including biogas, renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen. Clarke Energy operates in 27 countries. Clarke Energy employs over 1,300 staff and has over 8GW of power generation, 1.4GW of which is from biogas, a renewable fuel.
About Kohler Co.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 40,000 associates. With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; engines, generators, and clean energy solutions; and owner/operator of two, five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler’s Whistling Straits golf course hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. For more details, please visit kohlercompany.com.
Believing in Better: Better Planet, Better Communities, Better Lives
Believing in Better is Kohler’s sustainability and social impact strategy and is based on the company’s operating philosophy that its best can always be better – for the planet, people, communities, and business. Believing in Better has three pillars: Better Planet, Better Communities and Better Lives. Through each of these pillars, Kohler works to develop products and programs that will have a meaningful impact, not only for its business, but for the communities it serves, and for the lives of the people who use its products.
About Grastim
Grastim develops high-efficiency technology solutions for industrial customers committed to decarbonizing their manufacturing operations. Entering the market as one of the leading companies in the design of co-trigeneration systems, the organization is steadily expanding its portfolio with increasingly cutting-edge, integrated and “green” technologies. Grastim’s goal is to ensure economic savings, a reduction in pollutant emissions, self-consumption, and greater electrification and flexibility of the grid. Grastim is present in Italy, and several EU countries, as well as in the UK and the USA for a business that is now worth more than 70 million euros annually and boasts among its customers primary multinational groups such as Unilever, PPG, Novamont, Froneri, Kraft-Heinz and Nomad Foods.
