In the Netherlands-headed Dimeta B.V., a leader in accelerating the production and use of renewable and recycled carbon fuel, is partnering with Delft University of Technology and The Green Village to trial the use of renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) blend in home heating for the first time in Europe.
Renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) is a sustainable and clean fuel, used extensively in the chemical industry and as an aerosol propellant.
Extensive research and laboratory testing have been undertaken by Dimeta and various trade associations, concluding that a 12 percent DME/LPG blend is safe and can be immediately blended without modification to infrastructure and equipment.
However, this blend has yet to be trialed in a real-world home heating environment in Europe.
Conduct real-world trials
Located at Delft University of Technology’s The Green Village, this trial led by Dimeta will serve as a testing ground for a sustainable heating option for some 137 million people in Europe who are living in off-grid, hard-to-decarbonise homes.
The home will receive heat and hot water from a DME/LPG blend, using an off-the-shelf LPG boiler and cylinders with an LPG/DME blend.
This highlights the benefits of a DME, in avoiding the need for costly retrofits or new appliances. The chemical similarity between DME and LPG allows DME to be blended into LPG up to 12 percent.
The ability of DME to blend seamlessly into existing infrastructure can help expedite the transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Further plans are underway to install space heaters and cooking appliances to test and demonstrate the versatility of DME as a fuel source.
DME can also be used as a pure fuel in 100 percent DME-dedicated appliances with modifications to supply chain infrastructure.
We are delighted to be launching Europe’s first trial of a DME and LPG blend in home heating at The Green Village. Developments regarding renewable and recycled carbon DME are among some of the most exciting in the global energy landscape, and for the 137 million people in Europe without a connection to the main gas grid, this will provide a pathway towards real decarbonization options, said Stephen Hallett, Operations Director at Dimeta.
Dimeta’s project will gather user feedback on the performance of appliances and monitor the improvement of air quality by reducing noxious emissions as it moves beyond the laboratory setting and into real-world applications.
We are very happy to collaborate with Dimeta. With this trial, not only the technical aspects of using a DME/LPG blend will be tested. Our field lab provides relevant test facilities where residents can provide their feedback and Dimeta can gain knowledge on how to apply this gas within the framework of Dutch legislation, said Lidewij van Trigt from The Green Village.
