German plant manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER is assisting Yarra Valley Water with the upgrade of its 1-megawatt biogas plant located north of Melbourne. Yarra Valley Water, one of Australia’s largest water and wastewater service providers, has been energy self-sufficient since the completion of its waste and food waste plant by WELTEC BIOPOWER and its project partner in 2017. To ensure the plant remains profitable moving forward, it is undergoing a technical modernization, including biological service, scheduled for August 2024. WELTEC is providing on-site support for the local team.
The biogas plant, equipped with two 530-kilowatt CHP units, meets its own energy needs with the electricity generated also powering the sewage treatment plant and excess energy being fed into the grid. The plant processes 33,000 tons of organic waste annually from food processors and restaurants, generating around 7,500,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year. The accepted waste includes fats, oils, brewery and dairy residues, and fruits and vegetables, all processed in stainless steel containers. The plant has received prestigious accolades for its technology, including the Premier’s Sustainability Award for innovation and practice in Victoria and the Banksia Award for Circular Economy leadership.
During the maintenance, the tanks will be completely emptied, and the roofs of the two 3,573-cubic-meter stainless steel fermenters, along with internal components such as the agitator technology, will be replaced. Following refurbishment, the plant will be recommissioned, and operational management will be ensured. The digester contents will be temporarily stored in a storage tank, allowing for a quick restart by refilling the tanks with the pre-stored material. This approach conserves resources and reduces costs, facilitates the immediate availability of fermented material for the biological process, and adheres to Australia’s stringent occupational safety requirements for tank maintenance. WELTEC will also conduct on-site staff training.
Stephanie Salinas, Manager of Waste to Energy Services at YVW, highlights, “WELTEC BIOPOWER has been a valued partner in our successful journey with our Wollert Facility. We appreciate their dedication to safety and quality, and their expertise in mechanical and biological consulting has been instrumental throughout the facility’s lifecycle.” Vladimir Bogatov, Area Sales Manager Asia Pacific at WELTEC BIOPOWER, adds, “WELTEC’s extensive experience with complex refurbishment projects has earned us the trust of our customers over many years. With over 400 biogas plants planned and built globally, and a robust service department, WELTEC is well-equipped for such modernizations. This experience is also valued in Australia, helping to ensure the plant’s continued flexibility and its standing as one of the country’s most innovative biogas projects.”
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