#TheBioGasClass - Vol. 8: AD Mixer Visibility Tech | Best Biogas Plant above 1Mwe | Landmark West Africa Biomass Deal | Key Partnership for SAF

Welcome to the great edition 8 of the Biogasclass Bi-Weekly Newsletter and we are now getting closer to the 2000 mark!

This is the Biogas-Classroom, learning all things new related to Biogas/RNG, Anaerobic Digestion, Feedstocks, Biomass and Biofuels in the new world of Energy Transition. Bioenergy is useful to us all as?waste?is never?wasted?but turned into value like transportation fuels, energy, heating, fertilizers, cooking and more!

Technology of the Week

BIOGASKONTOR K?berle GmbH is a pioneering company that specializes in developing advanced technology for secure biogas plants. With decades of experience in biogas plant development, construction, and operation, Graduate Engineer Erwin K?berle has played a crucial role in their success. Drawing from this vast experience, BIOGASKONTOR has designed reliable components that ensure the safe and efficient functioning of biogas plants. In the domains of process technology and safety, BIOGASKONTOR has set global benchmarks. Currently, more than 13,000 of their cutting-edge bulls eye systems are operational worldwide.

If you encounter challenges with fermentation processes or observe scum at the surface and need to monitor the mixer's activity, the bulls eye RD 300/RD 400 is the perfect solution. It provides a clear visual inspection of the fermentation process within the biogas plant fermenter. Additionally, it offers the option to extract biogas from the rinsing line.

Here are the technical specifications for the equipment:

1. Integrated mounting and sealing system
2. Universally deployable, either directly in the core drilled hole or spacing tube
3. Efficient wiper with maximum wiping area
4. Water nozzle made of stainless 316, featuring a tube non-return valve and ball valve
5. Thermal resistance up to 80°C
6. Glass resistance up to 1 bar
7. Pressure resistance up to 30 mbar with standard fixing; with special fixing, it can withstand up to 100 mbar

The utilization of such technology has facilitated seamless operations in numerous biogas plants. Moreover, BIOGASKONTOR offers a range of other intriguing equipment for biogas operations.

Company of the Week

Warrens Emerald Biogas Ltd Biogas (part of The Bio Capital Group) are company of the week! They were honored with the prestigious Best Biogas Plant above 1Mwe-equivalent award at the World Biogas Association The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) UK Biogas Expo 2023.

Leveraging their Biogas technology, they have harnessed the capacity to generate an impressive 34Mwe of renewable energy across their portfolio, effectively powering over 50,000 homes annually. Remarkably, they recycle up to 500,000 tonnes of food waste each year, diverting it away from landfills and cutting harmful methane emissions by an impressive 300,000 CO?e tonnes per annum.

Their Biomethane plays a vital role in the UK gas grid injection, providing heating to local homes and businesses, and effectively decarbonizing the natural gas grid. Furthermore, they are fueling their vehicle and customer fleet with Bio-CNG, thus contributing to cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions.

Latest Biogas Updates

Gevo & McDermott Partner for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facilities

Gevo, Inc. and McDermott International, Ltd International's subsidiary are collaborating to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities in North America. The first facility, Net-Zero 1, will be in South Dakota, producing up to 65 million gallons of SAF, diesel, and renewable gasoline with a net-zero greenhouse gas footprint. McDermott will provide engineering services and execution planning for the project. The facility aims to meet the rising demand for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable hydrocarbons while ensuring cost-effectiveness and scalability. It will also generate high-value nutritional products and operate on wind energy, further enhancing its environmental sustainability by using renewable natural gas from captured methane emissions of livestock.

Gevo uses low-carbon renewable resources for fuel production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership aligns with other airlines' and companies' net-zero fuel initiatives. The production of SAF has increased in recent years, improving its cost-parity with fossil-based fuel options. The project will be led by McDermott's teams in Houston, Texas, and Gurugram, India.

EAIF provides €35m loan for West Africa’s “largest” biomass plant in C?te d’Ivoire

The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a PIDG company, has granted a €35m senior loan to develop a 46MW biomass power plant in C?te d’Ivoire, the largest of its kind in West Africa.

BIOVEA Energie , owned by EDF International, Meridiam, and SIFCA, will operate the plant with a 25-year power purchase agreement. The project receives support from PIDG's Technical Assistance program with an €8m Viability Gap Funding grant. The €237m venture will reduce CO2 emissions by 4.5 million tonnes over 25 years, aiding C?te d’Ivoire's goal to generate 45% renewable energy by 2030. The plant, located in Ayebo, will benefit 1.7 million people, including 12,000 local out-growers, providing additional income security and creating 1,500 jobs during construction and commissioning phases. Additionally, 520,000 tonnes of agricultural residue will be utilized, benefiting the local economy and supporting regional energy security.

Commenting on the transaction, Olivia Carballo from Ninety One, Fund Manager of the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, said: “As such a crucial energy market to one of the continent’s most important production hubs, impacts of a greener economy extend beyond the borders of C?te d’Ivoire. It is emblematic of the many resources we can leverage to accelerate growth across Africa and do so inclusively while contributing to the sustainability of thousands of livelihoods in the area.”

Biovea Energie’s CFO, Franck Koblavi , commented: “We are delighted to close the deal as it has been highly anticipated and moves us closer to evolving the country’s energy mix and progressing an ambitious but attainable sustainability agenda. Working with best-in-class partners has ensured deep deliberation to other aspects of creating impact and will ensure quality service delivery from investment to energy production.”

That's all for this edition of the?#biogasclass and hope you enjoyed the industry updates.

Feel free to comment, feedback, suggestions or topics of interest. Also please let me know or if your Biogas company has an interest in featuring in future editions, please feel free to reach out!

That's all folks and looking forward to marking your attendance in the next Biogas Class!