At the Biomass Gasification Europe conference, Investa, the institute for Valorization and Expertise of Thermochemics Alkmaar, was presented to the public. InVesta is founded by the municipality of Alkmaar, province North Holland, ECN, TAQA, Energy Valley and the Energy Board. And will be THE national knowledge and expertise center in the field of biomass gasification.

InVesta offers entrepreneurs, knowledge developers, universities and other educational institutes physical space and opportunities for research, testing and developing innovative techniques of the biomass gasification and future technologies. The gasification of biomass is a relatively new and sustainable technology.

The product of biomass gasification is called syngas (from synthesis gas or synthetic gas). This high caloric, sustainable gas is widely used. A well-known application is as a base to produce large quantities of green gas (gas of an identical quality as natural gas, but made of biomass) and fuel, but also as an intermediate of the chemical industry.

InVesta will settle at the Energy Enovatioin Park in Alkmaar. A first customer will join at the end of 2014. The company Torrgas from North Holland is building a demonstration plant at the location of InVesta. Paul Korting, board member of Energy Board North Holland and director of ECN: “The Netherlands is aiming for a higher rate of sustainable and clean energy from biomass, wind and sun. By launching InVesta the province of North Holland gives a great contribution to gain more knowledge and technology in the area of sustainable energy. InVesta encourages the application of biogas for the future.”