A community biogas plant is being constructed in western Münsterland, with the project managed by Bioenergie Heek-Ahle and supported scientifically by Münster University of Applied Sciences, according to Energate.
The plant is designated a community facility because it involves 45 local farms contributing substrates like slurry and manure. Scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2025, the plant is expected to serve as a model for the industry, as announced by Münster University of Applied Sciences.
For small and medium-sized farms, producing biomethane is often economically unfeasible due to the limited amount of raw materials they generate. To address this issue, several operators have collaborated to create a centralized biomethane processing facility.
Professor Elmar Brügging from Münster University of Applied Sciences explained that the farmers will supply substrates from an average distance of about five kilometers. It is crucial that the nutrients in these substrates are returned to the farms as high-quality fertilizer after the fermentation process, though ensuring this is challenging.
Supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the project aims to demonstrate practical and financial aspects of such a system. Brügging noted that the goal is to develop a method for tracking financial and substrate contributions, enabling transparent accounting of the plant’s revenue.
The joint plant model is designed to encourage replication in the sector by utilizing otherwise wasted residual materials, thereby increasing biomethane production. While biogas is produced at around 9,000 locations in Germany, few plants use only animal excrement like liquid manure, slurry, or dung.
The project commenced on July 1 and will conclude in June 2027.
To read more about Biogas Industry News, continue reading BioEnergyTimes.com
