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Orcan Biogas

Unlocking more renewable power from South Africa’s biogas plants

South Africa’s growing biogas sector is gaining a powerful new efficiency boost through a partnership between Energas Technologies and Orcan Energy of Germany.

Orcan’s efficiency PACK systems use Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to generate extra electricity from the exhaust and cooling heat of biogas engines — turning waste heat into valuable clean power.

Biogas plants typically operate for more than 7 000 hours per year, producing stable heat flows that are ideal for ORC systems. By installing Orcan’s compact, modular units, operators can increase total energy yield and reduce reliance on external electricity supplies. This not only strengthens the financial performance of biogas projects but also enhances their environmental footprint.

Each efficiency PACK module is pre-engineered for rapid installation and requires minimal maintenance. Units can be scaled up as plant capacity expands, providing flexibility for both new developments and retrofits.

“The beauty of this solution is that it leverages existing heat — no additional fuel or process change is required,” explains Laetitia Jansen van Vuuren of Energas Technologies. “For biogas operators, that translates into higher output, lower emissions, and stronger returns.”

Energas offers complete support to local clients, including site heat-mapping, technical design, installation, and service. With rising energy costs and a national focus on renewable generation, waste-heat-to-power is set to play a growing role in South Africa’s transition to cleaner, more efficient energy.

MPBiogas Orcan