Lisbjerg Power Station
Lisbjerg Power Station is a combined heat and power plant in Lisbjerg, Denmark. The power plant is composed of two units; a waste-to-power incinerator and a biomass plant, and is part of the larger waste treatment facility Kredsløb Energipark Lisbjerg. The official address is Ølstedvej 20-36, 8200 Aarhus N and it is managed by Forsyningsselskabet Kredsløb, as a part of the Teknik og Miljø magistrate of Aarhus Municipality. The power station supplies electricity and district heating to Aarhus Municipality.
History
The original waste-to-power incinerator was constructed in 1976-78 as a combined heat and power plant. The facility has been expanded and changed a number of times, most recently in 2014 to 2016.In 2014, construction of a biomass plant began as an addition to the existing facility. The biomass plant is a part of wider plan for Aarhus Municipality to transition to renewable energy sources. It will primarily burn hay, sourced from the local area. The two facilities share the same buildings and some of the infrastructure, but are managed as separate units, due to the differences in source and waste materials.
In 2025, Aarhus Municipality initiated a cooperation with international technology company Andritz AG for a carbon capture project at the power station. The aim is to capture 435.000 ton annually by 2029.
Architecture
The architect firm Friis & Moltke designed the initial facility in 1978 and have since been involved in most major changes and renovations. The largest design change occurred in 2004 following a contest held in 1999 and won by Friis & Moltke. The old buildings were encased in a shell of concrete, steel and glass, which gives it a changing appearance depending on weather conditions. The overall design is divided in a "base" and a "glass shell" section. The base is a rigidly defined transport surface, somewhat lowered into the terrain and partially hidden. The glass shell is placed on the base and is a glass structure encasing the original concrete structure, while providing space for newer functions. A fissure in the shell makes room for the 110 meter chimney. The chaotic interior of boilers, pipes and machines can be discerned through the glass facade. Next to the power plant itself is a two story administration building, also with a glass facade, but in sharp contrast to the 4-5 times taller power plant structure.Friis & Moltke also designed the addition of the biomass plant, which started construction in 2014 with completion in late 2016. The biomass plant is constructed in a similar style to the existing structure and the infrastructure is integrated; i.e. one shared chimney. The power plant is situated in hilly, undulating terrain and it is designed to fit the lines and colors of the surrounding landscape. It is prominently situated on a 70 meters tall hill and is a landmark visible from afar.