The catalogue of good practices in biogas production

Report 2024/30

Leif Grandum, Sarah Eidsmo, Anna Bojaniwicz-Bablok, Natalia Horak, Agnieszka Kuśmierz, Małgorzata Hajto, Izabela Potapowicz og Agnieszka Sobol

The catalogue of good practices in biogas production

Category	Reports
Sub-Categories	Power and energy Climate change and the green transformation
Year	2024
Report Number	30
Author(s)	Leif Grandum Sarah Eidsmo Anna Bojaniwicz-Bablok Natalia Horak Agnieszka Kuśmierz Małgorzata Hajto Izabela Potapowicz Agnieszka Sobol
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1 	
 
 
 	
 	
The catalogue of good practices in biogas 
production	 	
 
The Institute of Environmental Protection 	– National Research Institute	 	
LOGO of IOS	-PIB) 	– to decide whether it should be the English Version	 	
 	
Vista Analyse	 
 	
Warsaw, 2024

1 	
 
The document was produced as part of the project “Green transition in practice: Demonstrating 	 	
and disseminating the benefits of producing biogas from bio	-waste”, implemented by the Institute 	 	
of Environmental Protection	-National Research Institute and Vista Analyse, funded by the Bilateral 	
Cooperation Fund, the European Economic Area Financial Mech	anism 2014	-2021 and the Norwegian 	
Financial Mechanism 2014	-2021	 (Norwegian and EEA Funds)	. 	
 
Authors	 (in alphabetical order):	 	
The Institute of Environmental Protection 	– National Research Institute	: Anna Bojanowicz	-Bablok, 	
Natalia :orak, Agnieszka Kuśmierz,	 Izabela Potapowicz	 	
Vista Analyse	: Sarah Eidsmo, Leif Grandum	 	
 
 
ISBN 	978	-83	-966110	-8-6 	
 
Publisher:	 	
Institute of Environmental Protection 	- National Research Institute,	 	
02-170 Warszawa, Słowicza Street 32	 	
 
Publication available under license: 	CC BY	 	
Authors' affiliation	: Institute of Environmental Protection	-National Research Institute

2 	
 
Table of contents	 	
INTRODUCTION	 ................................	................................	................................	................................	... 4 	
GOOD PRACTICES IN POLAND	 ................................	................................	................................	............	 5 	
GREEN ENERGY M=C:AŁOWO SP. 	Z O.O.	 ................................	................................	........................	 6 	
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM	 ................................	.......................	 7 	
REGIONAL CENTRE FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT S.A. (RCGW S.A.)	 ................................	.....	 9 	
WASTE TREATMENT FA	CILITY 	– WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SP. 	Z O.O. IN PROMNIK (ZUO 	
PGO SP. 	Z O.O.)	 ................................	................................	................................	..............................	 11	 	
PRODUCTION	-SERVICE	-TRADE COMPANY “RADKOM” SP. 	Z O.O. (PPU: “RADKOM”)	 ................	 12	 	
WWTP OF THE STALOWA WOLA MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT (WWTP MZK)	 ................................	. 13	 	
MECHANICAL	-BIOLOGICAL TREATMEN	T PLANT OF THE MUNICIPAL WASTE OF THE STALOWA 	
WOLA MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT (MBT MZK)	 ................................	................................	..............	 15	 	
COLLECT=VE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT OF T:E ŁÓD	Ź AGGLOMERAT=ON	 ...............................	 17	 	
“:AHDÓW” WWTP OF T:E MPWiK =N LUBL=N (MUN=C=PAL WATERWORKS AND SEWAGE 
COMPANY)	 ................................	................................	................................	................................	.....	 18	 	
GOOD PRACTICES IN NORWAY	................................	................................	................................	.........	 20	 	
VEAS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT	 ................................	................................	......................	 21	 	
GREVE BIOGAS 	– „T:E MAG=CAL FACTORY”	 ................................	................................	.................	 22	 	
BIOKRAFT AS	 ................................	................................	................................	................................	.. 23	 	
RÅ B=OPARK	 ................................	................................	................................	................................	... 24	 	
SØMNA B=OGASS	 ................................	................................	................................	...........................	 25	 	
GOOD PRACTICES IN EUROPE	 ................................	................................	................................	...........	 26	 	
AVR BIOWASTE FERMENTATION PLANT IN SINSHEIM	 ................................	................................	.. 27	 	
HAMBURG WASSER	 ................................	................................	................................	.......................	 28	 	
CVO 	L=LLE (CENTRE DE VALOR=SAT=ON DES DÉC:ETS ORGAN=QUES 	– BIOWASTE RECOVERY 	
CENTRE)	 ................................	................................	................................	................................	.........	 30

4 	
 
INTRODUCTION	 	
The need for investment in renewable energy sources stems from the challenges facing the world 	 	
as a whole in terms of the need to reduce human impact on the climate and the environment. 	 	
One source that at the same time allows for stable production regard	less of weather conditions 	 	
is biogas. Thanks to its properties, biogas can be used in various sectors, such as energy, transport 	 	
or agriculture. The wide range of applications and the possibility of ensuring a constant supply of biogas 
(and biomethane) o	pens up a number of development opportunities for regional and national 	
economies, as well as local communities.	 	
Poland has a huge potential to produce biogas from agricultural raw materials, and by also using 	 	
the potential resting in biodegradable waste 	and sewage sludge, it can significantly modify its energy 	
mix and improve its energy security. Norway, on the other hand, has a huge potential for biogas 
production from bio	-waste, including that from food processing.	 	
The catalogue presents examples of investments from Poland, Norway and other European countries, 
where biogas production from various substrates has been carried out successfully for many years. 	 	
We would like these examples to be an inspiration for the de	velopment of the biogas and renewable 	
energy market in Poland and Norway.

5 	
 
GOOD PRACTICES IN POLAND

6 	
 
GREEN ENERGY MICHAŁOWO SP. 	Z O.O.	 	
Location	: Michałowo, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch date	: 2015	 	
Installed capacity	: 2 CHP modules, 0.6 MW each	 	
| agricultural biogas plant | energy production | private ownership |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Maize silage	 	From farm fields leased by the investor and from local 
farmers.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic mezophillic 
methane fermentation	 	
Fermentation takes place in digesters with a heating and 
mixing system. 	Plant 	efficiency of 98.5% 	in 2022.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	On	-site incineration to produce energy through 	CHP 	
modules.	 	
Electricity	 	Covering 100% of the plant’s own needs, any surplus is sold 
to the local energy provider.	 	
Heat	 	
20% of the produced heat is used on site to aid in the 
fermentation process, the rest of it is supplied through 	 	
a pipeline to the 	nearby school, Water Park and numerous 	
other public facilities.	 	 	
Green Energy Michałowo (	Zielona Energia Michałowo S	p. z o.o.	), together with IEN Energy, established 	
in 2017 an association called “Klaster Energii Michałowo” tied around two sources of ene	rgy working 	
in sync 	– a biogas plant and its adjacent photovoltaic farm. The main goal of this energy cluster 	 	
is to ensure energy security and eradicate energy poverty in the town of Michałowo and the 
neighboring Zabłudów, Gródek and Tykocin communes. The	 cluster was responsible for expanding the 	
heating pipeline network in Michałowo and connecting many of the town's public facilities and utilities 
to it (the town hall, the cultural center, a high school, etc.).	 	
A Data Processi	ng Center, 	entirely powered with biogas is being installed nearby and is planned 	 	
to make use of the waste heat from electricity production, to be converted into cold air that can cool 
the servers, thus creating a “trigeneration” system. The photovoltaic farm will al	so provide backup 	
electricity in case of power failure.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Article from 2019 about the energy cluster 	https://magazynbiomasa.pl/klaster	-energii	-michalowo/	 	
 	Article from	 2021 	https://magazynbiomasa.pl/eko	-dane	-powstaje	-serwerownia	-ktora	-korzystac	-	
bedzie	-z-biogazu/	 	
 	Article from 2023 about the biogas plant 	https://magazynbiomasa.pl/michalowo	-dziala	-jak	-w-zegarku	-	
985	-sprawnosci	-biogazowni/

7 	
 
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM	 	
Location	: Przybroda, Wielkopolskie	 Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch date	: 2019	 	
Installed capacity	: 0,5	 MW	 	
| experimental biogas plant | energy production, research into new technologies | 	 	
| ownership of Poznań University of Life Sciences 	| 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Waste from agriculture and 
food 	processing, mainly cow 	
manure	 	
Waste from o	rchard, crop and livestock production from 	
the 	University's 	own e	xperimental 	farm (400 hectares 	 	
of arable land, 40 hectares of orchards) and other 
agricultural waste supplied by 	loc	al 	farm	ers. 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic mezophillic 
methane fermentation w	ith 	
the use of a biotech 
accelerator	 	
A biotechnological accelerator is used 	for substrate 	
homogenization and hydrolysis, which makes it possible 	 	
to mix 	different 	substrate	s together 	and change the 	
substrate 	recipe 	each 	day (it is an additional hydrolyzer 	
working in an acidic environment 	– a Polish innovative 	
technology)	. 	
Biogas production e	fficiency: 97%	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	On	-site 	incineration	 in 	CHP modules	 for power generation, 	
mainly for 	the facility’s own	 use	. 	
Electricity 	 	Partially used on	-site, then transferred to the power grid.	 	
Yearly production: 4000 MWh/year	 	
Heat	 	
A secondary product from CHP generation; used on	-site 	 	
for heating needed for the fermentation processes, as well 
as to heat 	the buildings of the university's experimental 	
farm and 58 bu	ildings in the	 neighboring 	town	. 	
Yearly p	roduction: 4000 MWh/year	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Digestate	 	Used as a fertilizer on	-site on the facility’s own farms. 	 	
The yearly yield can cover 100 ha of arable land.	 	 	
The biogas plant in Przybroda was built based on Polish technical and technological solutions, 	 	
in a 	modular manner (mainly using bolted steel elements), thanks to which the transport	ation	 of all 	
parts of the biogas plant 	except for its concrete foundations) is possible in simple containers and 	their 	
assembling is fairly easy	. The technological process of	 the biogas plant is supervised by the 	
Ecotechnology Laboratory of the Poznań University of Life Sciences, which is the largest biogas 
laboratory in Poland. To date, around 2,500 different types of substrates with different biogas yields 
have been tested t	here.	 	
The biogas plant has been prepared to operate as a peak load biogas plant, i.e. it can produce electricity 
during peak demand (e.g. from 6:00 to 21:00). The biogas produced during the other hours 	 	
can be stored in a special dome above the digestion 	tank and used during peak hours.

8 	
 
Sources:	 	
 	The experimental farm’s main website 	https://www.przybroda.pl/	 	
 	Technology producer website 	https://www.dynamicbiogas.com/przybroda	 	
 	Documentary about the biogas plant 	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_uRuWgnBQM	 	
 	Article from 2013 about the biogas plant 	https://wir.org.pl/asp/innowacyjna	-biogazownia	-w-rolniczo	-	
sadowniczym	-gospodarstwie	-doswiadczalnym	-przybroda,175,artykul,1,3312

9 	
 
REGIONAL 	CENTRE FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT	 S.A.	 (RCGW S.A.)	 	
Location	: Tychy, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2006 	(2018 completion of	 the WWTP	 modernization and opening of 	the 	Water Park)	 	
Installed capacity	: 1,09 MW (WWTP) i 1,2 MW (	Water Park	) 	
| WWTP biogas plant | 	energy production	 | ownership of the City of Tychy |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sludge from wastewater 
treatment	 	
Sludge f	rom the treatment of municipal and industrial 	
wastewater 	originating 	from the area of the City of Tychy 	
delivered through	 the municipal sewage network 	(about 	
400 km in length) 	managed by the RCGW	. 	
Biodegradable waste 	 	
from industry	 	
Supplied by external 	parties	 (which pay the 	RCGW	 a fee for 	
their collection). Some of 	it require	s pre	-treatment at the 	
pasteurization station.	 	
Waste throughput	: 103	 000 m	3/year	 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic mezophillic 
methane co	-fermentation	 	
Sewage sludge and biodegradable waste	 are subjected 	 	
to fermentation in 2 separate digesters, each 	5500 m	3 	
in volume	. The substrate is brought to 5	-6% of dry mass.	 	
Biogas upgrading	 	
Using desulfurization absorbers (	designed	 by RCGW, using 	
turf	 ore) and treated wastewater (technology from T4B 	
EKOTECHNOLOGIE 	– the 	process water 	absorbs CO	2, 	
the 	biogas is 	later 	dehydrated in a scrubber) in 	the 	Biogas 	
Treatment Station 	of a capacity of: 1200 m	3/h

10	 	
 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biomethane/	Upgraded	 	
biogas	 	
The upgraded biogas is partly used on site for treatment 
plant and partly compressed f	rom 300 to 10 kPa 	 	
and delivered via a 6	-kilometre pipeline clad in aluminium 	
foil (zero	-diffusion technology) to the Tychy Water Park, 	
where it is combus	ted in a combined heat and power plant 	
to heat the building and pool water.	 	
Biogas production capacity: 708 m3/h (as of 2020).	 	
Methane content of biogas: 60%	 	
Electricity from the 
incineration	 of biogas in 	CHP 	
units	 	
The energy produced covers the	 ent	iret	y (and exceeds 	 	
it by 	50%, even 	94%	 in January 2019)	 of the company’s 	
needs as well as the Water Park’s needs; 	excess energy 	 	
is sold	 to the Tauron Group grid	 (about 4,500 MWh/year)	. 	
Electrical power: 	2x 400 kW	 (Water Park)	, 2x 345 kW 	 	
and 1x 400 kW	 (WWTP)	 	
Heat from CHP unit	 	
Covers 100% of the WWTP and Tychy Water Park’s needs. 
Used to heat 	the 	digesters	 to a 	stable 	temperature of 38°C	, 	
to heat 	the buildings	 and tap water, as well as 	the 	pool 	
water in the Water Park.	 	
Thermal power: 	2x 433 kW	 (Water Park), 2	x 531 kW and 1x 	
394 kW (WWTP).	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Carbon dioxide	 	Separated in the biogas upgrading process to biomethane 
and sold to industrial plants.	 	
The Tychy	-Urbanowice	 Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Tychy Water Park are equipped with 	
separate 	CHP	 units; in addition, the Water Park has a backup heat source in the for	m of a 1,100 kW 	
biogas boiler. The b	iogas supplied to the Water Park via a pipeline is burned there in	 two 	CHP modules	. 	
At the end of 2020, RCGW became the leader of the Tychy Energy Cluster, their next goal is to 	make 	
use of their energy	 surplus 	to fulfil the city’s other 	needs. In 2021, researchers at the treatment plant 	
succeeded in isolating colonies o	f biohydrogen	 producing 	bacteria living in 	the plant’s digesters.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	RCGW website 	https://www.rcgw.pl/	 	
 	Strona Wodnego Parku w Tychach 	https://www.wodnypark.tychy.pl/o	-spolce	 	
 	Article from 2019 about the Tychy biogas plant 	https://magazynbiomasa.pl/biogazownia	-oczyszczalni	-	
sciekow	-tychy	-urbanowice	/ 	
 	Article from 2021 about the Water Park’s usage of biogas 	https://energetyka24.com/oze/tychy	-62	-	
mln	-m-szesc	-biogazu	-z-osadow	-sciekowych	-i-odpadow	 	
 	Art	icle from 2022 about RCGW’s future plans 	https://www.portalsamorzadowy.pl/gospodarka	-	
komunalna/produkuja	-juz	-biometan	-i-wodor	-teraz	-przymierzaja	-sie	-do	-biorafinerii,413250.html	 	
 	=nterview from 2020 with RCGW’s CEO 	https://t4b	-	
ekotechnologie.pl/2020/	02/rozmowa_ze_zbigniewem_gieleciakiem_prezesem	-rcgw/

11	 	
 
WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY 	– WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SP. 	Z O.O. 	IN PROMNIK	 (ZUO 	
PGO SP. 	Z O.O.)	 	
Location	: Promnik, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2016	 	
Installed capacity	: 1x 0,2 MW, 2x	 0,92 MW	 	
| waste disposal facility biogas plant | 	energy and compost production 	| 	
| ownership of the City of Kielce	 | 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Municipal waste 	 	
and bio	-waste	 	
Waste is collected from Kielce and 17 nearby municipalities 
(about 400,000	 residents);	 through selective waste 	
collection	 from individuals and public waste collection 	
points	 (for which 	ZUO	 is also responsible).	 	
Sewage sludge	 	From the company's 	wastewater	 (generated by ZUO itself) 	
and 	landfill leachate	 treatment plant	. 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Dry fermentation 	 	
(in 2 chambers)	 	
Green and biodegradable fraction separated 	mechanically 	
from mixed municipal waste	 is subjected to dry 	
fermentation in a 2	-chamber 	digester	. 	
Aerobic stabilization	 	
(composting)	 	
The 	digestate from the dry fermentation process 	 	
is subjected to composting, which takes 	place in 	closed	 	
ch	ambers; later the maturation of the obtained 	stabilized 	
MSW (municipal solid waste)	 takes place in open boxes	. 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas 	 	
Gathered during the dry fermentation process as well 	 	
as 	from reclaimed landfill 	areas	 (4.5 hectares) 	thanks 	 	
to degassing wells	, burned on site in CHP units to produce 	
energy, mainly for own consumption.	 	
Electricity and heat	 	
From biogas 	incineration	 in 	CHP units	. The 	obtained 	energy 	
meets 100% of ZUO's needs, excess energy is sold	 	
to the local energy distributor	. 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Compost	 	Stabilized 	MSW	 from composting,	 used 	in the reclamation 	
of PGO’s landfills.	 	 	
PGO’s Waste Treatment Facility 	is equipped with an on	-site treatment plant for wastewater and landfill 	
leachate (photocatalytic and ion exchange treatment), a closed	-loop system for process water 	as well 	
as r	ainwater (	resulting in a 	water recycling rate of 	over 	80%),	 as well as a device 	producing alternative 	
fuel from mechanically separated high	-calorie 	waste 	fractions	, to be used in 	cement 	factories	 	
and 	industrial 	thermal power plants.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	PGO Promnik’s website 	https://pgo.kielce.pl/	 	
 	About the waste disposal facility 	https://www.mostostal.waw.pl/realizacje/ekologiczne/zakl	ad	-	
unieszkodliwiania	-odpadow	-dla	-miasta	-kielce

12	 	
 
PRODUCTION	-SERVICE	-TRADE COMPANY “RADKOM”	 SP. 	Z O.O. (PPUH “RADKOM”)	 	
Location	: Radom, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2010 (	time of the 	construction of 	the waste disposal facility (	ZUOK	) and 	the 	biogas 	tanks	) 	
Installed capacity	: 0,67 MW	 	
waste disposal and composting facility | 	energy production and 	digestate management | 	
ownership of the City of Radom	 | 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Waste disposed of in 
a landfill for non	-	
hazardous and	 inert 	
waste	 	
This 	consists in	 96% 	of 	waste 	processed in the waste disposal 	
facility (mainly ballast and stabilized MSW) 	and 	in 	4% 	of 	waste that 	
cannot be recovered or disposed of 	through any other method 	 	
Biodegradable waste	 	
The o	rganic fraction from selectively collected green waste (from 	
public	 gree	n areas and the fruit and vegetable processing 	
industry) and	 the	 organic fraction mechanically separated from 	
mixed municipal waste	 from households within Radom and its 	
surrounding com	munes (around 550 tons of municipal waste 	
arrives at the ZUOK each day).	 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Capture of landfill 
biogas	 	
50 wells, e	ach 25 meters deep, connected through	 pipelin	es 	 	
to a gas compression station.	 	
Composting	 	
The organic 	fraction from mixed waste	 	is composted 	 	
in tunnels (24 days) and matured	 in a storage yard (40 days); 	 	
this	 result	s in stabilized MSW	. The organic f	raction from green 	
waste is composted and matured 	in 	separate 	tunnels (54 days);	 	
a soil conditioner 	is obta	ined at the end.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Landfill biogas	 	
Electricity production from cogeneration.	 	
Methane content: 40	-65%; CO	2 content: 35%. 	 	
Biogas production capacity: about 500 m	3/h.	 	
Electricity and heat	 	
Electricity from the 	incineration	 of 	landfill 	biogas in 2 	CHP modules	 	
of a total capacity of	 677 kW. This meets 100% of the 	company	's 	
demand, surpluses are transferred to the national power grid. 
Total electricity production: 1200 MWh/year.	 Waste heat 	from 	
power generation 	is used for the	 plant's 	own 	needs (	mainly 	
central heating and hot water). 	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Soil conditioner 
“RADKUŚ”	 	
It can be used both in garden crops and in the reclamation 	 	
of degraded land. 	 	 	
In addition, ZUOK also	 takes care of 	mechanically 	separating the high calorific 	fraction from the waste 	
stream	 collected by and delivered to 	PPUH Radkom	, in order	 to produce 	refuse derived	 fuel	 (proRDF)	; 	
these components are not burned on site, but compressed and 	packaged	, then stored, 	 	
from where they ar	e delivered	 outside of PPUH Radkom to third parties 	for further 	use	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	PPU: Radkom’s website 	http://www.radkom.com.pl/

13	 	
 
WWTP OF THE STALOWA WOLA MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT (	WWTP 	MZK)	 	
Location	: Stalowa Wola, 	Podkarpackie	 Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 1993 (modernization and expansion completed in 2009)	 	
Installed capacity	: 1x 0,527 MW, 1x 0,208 MW	 	
| WWTP biogas plant | 	energy production, 	sewage sludge treatment | 	 	
ownership of the City of Sta	lowa Wola |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sewage sludge	 	
Municipal wastewater (industrial wastewater is handled 	 	
by the Centr	al Wastewater Treatment Plant) 	from the area 	
of Stalowa Wola through a municipal sewer network 	 	
of about 180 km (owned by MZK) 	and landf	ill leachate 	 	
from the city's Waste Disposal Facility	. 	
Industrial waste	 	
Part of 	the WWTP’s 	additional (fee	-based) services 	 	
for individuals, 	institutions	, service	 or business entities, 	 	
is handling 	the 	treatment	 and disposal of liquid production 	
waste from dairy (e.g., whey), brewing and distilling 	 	
(e.g., slop, distillery stock), sugar (e.g., molasses) 	 	
and bakery industries, as well as contraband alcohol 	 	
(at the authorities	’ request	). 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing 	method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic mesophilic 
methane fermentation	 	
Methane fer	mentation at a pH level of 7	 takes place in 	2 	
separate digesters.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	
The 	WWTP	 is equipped with an automatic SCADA control 	
system. Biogas is 	collected from 	the top 	 	
of the 	fermentation tank	 and subjected t	o desulfurization 	
to 60	 ppm 	H2S before	 being relayed to the incineration 	
process. 	Methane content	 in the biogas	: 60%. 	 	
Average daily 	biogas production 	capacity: 1600 m	3/d	ay	. 	
Electricity and 	heat	 	
From the 	incineration	 of bioga	s in 2 CHP modules	, 	
each with an electrical output of 104 kW and a thermal 
output of 154 kW.	 The CHP units can work with varying 	
intensity 	depending on the current 	level of 	biogas 	
produced 	and 	the current 	demand 	in 	elect	ricity.	 Both types 	
of energy are 	entirely consumed by the 	WWTP	; 	
the 	thermal energy covers 100% of the 	company’s needs	, 	
and electrical energy covers 63%	 of its needs	. 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Treated sewage sludge	 	
After compaction and dewatering, it is subjected 	 	
to hygienization with 	ground quicklime at the 	Dewatered 	
Sludge Storage Facility. Then, after 	being analyzed	, 	
it is handed over to an 	external	 company 	to be reused 	 	
in agriculture 	or 	land 	reclamation.

14	 	
 
In order to reduce odor nuisance, parts of the 	WWTP	 (grids, raw and digested sludge thickeners, sludge	 	
predenitrification chamber, 	landfill) are	 either	 sealed hermetically or use air	-purifying biofilters	. 	
The Stalowa Wola WWTP 	is striving for the best pos	sible encapsulation and deodorization of 	the shed 	
storing 	dewatered sludge.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Stalowa Wola Municipal Department website 	https://www.mzk.stalowa	-wola.pl/	 	
 	About the WWTP 	https://www.mzk.stalowa	-wola.pl/miejska	-oczyszczalnia	-sciekow	-mos/

15	 	
 
MECHANICAL	-BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT 	PLANT OF THE	 MUNICIPAL WASTE OF THE	 STALOWA 	
WOLA MUNICIPAL DEPARTMEN	T (	MBT 	MZK)	 	
Location	: Stalowa Wola, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2015	 	
Installed capacity	: 1x 0	.527 MW, 1x 	0.208 MW 	 	
| MBT plant biogas plant | 	energy, fertiliser and compost production 	| 	
| ownership of the City of Stalowa Wola |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Mixed municipal waste	 	
De	livered from households within 	in the following 	
municipalities: Stalowa Wola, Zaklików, Radomyśl nad 
Sanem, Tarnobrzeg; collected and delivered to 	MBT MZK	 	
by the MZK Waste Transport Plant	. It is t	he 	organic 	fraction 	
from	 mixed 	municipal 	waste remaining after passing 	
through 	the plant’s sorting line (the mechanical part 	 	
of the MBT plant).	 Capacity: 13.5 Mg of waste/hour	. 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic therm	ophilic 	
methane 	fermentation	 	
The organic fraction of municipal waste undergoes 
anaerobi	c stabilization in a digester	 using the 	LARAN 	
technology (Strabag). Throughput:	 15	 000 	Mg	 waste	/year.	 	
Controlled, intensive a	erobic 	
stabilization	 (composting)	 	
Controlled, intensive aerobic stabilisation is applied to the 
green waste fraction and digested sludge. The process 
takes place in 6 closed compost tunnels 	 	
with an accompanying air purification plant, followed 	 	
by a compost maturation yard (6 weeks).	 	
Thro	ughput: 28	 000 Mg/year.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	
Biogas combusted in the cogeneration module. Before 
incineration, it passes through a purification 
(desulphurisation and dehydration) and compression 
module.	 	
Electricity and heat	 	
From the 	incineration	 of biogas in a 	CHP	 module	 	
with an electrical power of 527 kW and a heat power 	 	
of 539 kW	; it is used in its entirety by the plant. 	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Fermented sludge	 	They are dewatered and then composted (aerobically 
stabilised) together with green waste.	 	
Soil conditioner “Glebowitka”	 	
Waste f	raction below 20 mm from composting	. It is o	ffered 	
for sale 	by the company in the “	additional service	s” 	
category	. It can be used 	for 	garden	ing	, vegetable and fruit 	
crops, as well 	as in the reclamation of degraded soils.	 	
Compost 	not meeting	 the 	
legal 	requirements 	to be 	
considered a soil conditioner	 	
It is still o	ffered for sale 	by the company in the “	additional 	
service	s” category, to	 be used for landfill soil reclamation 	
as a biological layer, 	as it’s 	a cheaper alternative to sand.

16	 	
 
An Energy Recovery Facility for the Energy Fraction of Municipal Waste is currently under construction 
at 	the MBT plant	, with a capacity of 44,000 	Mg/year	 in order 	to produce alternative fuel 	 	
(RDF and preRDF), 	with the purpose of	 reducing 	the amount of waste sent to the landfill and 	supplying	 	
the Stalowa Wola Combined Heat and Power Plant	 with fuel	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	Stalowa Wola	 Municipal Department website 	https://www.mzk.stalowa	-wola.pl/	 	
 	About the MBT plant 	https://www.mzk.stalowa	-wola.pl/zaklad	-mechaniczno	-biologicznego	-	
przetwarzania	-odpadow	-komunalnych	-zmbpok/	 	
 	Article from 2023 about the plant’s further plans 	https://ma	gazynbiomasa.pl/w	-stalowej	-woli	-	
wyprodukuja	-energie	-z-odpadow/	 	
 	Slideshow about the MZK MBT plant 	https://sdr.gdos.gov.pl	/Documents/GO/Spotkanie%207	-	
9.11.2016/Prezentacja%20ZMBPOK%20%2008.11.2016%20Stalowa%20Wola.pdf

17	 	
 
COLLECTIVE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT OF THE ŁÓDŹ AGGLOMERATION	 	
Location	: Łódź, 	Łódzkie	 Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2004	 	
Installed capacity	: 2,8	 MW	 	
| WWTP biogas plant | 	energy production	 | ownership of the City of Łódź |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sewage sludge	 	
Sewage coming from households in Łódź 	 	
and the neighbouring communes: Konstanynów Łódzki, 
Ksawerów, Pabianice, Nowosolna. 	Preliminary 	and excess 	
sludge 	are 	thickened and 	sent together 	 	
to the 	fermentation process	. 	
Capacity of the WWTP (as of 2023): 	210 000 	m3/day	. 	
Capacity: 869,348 p.e.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic mesophilic 
methane fermentation	 	
The sludge 	(primary and surplus) from the municipal 	
wastewater, after thickening, goes into 4 closed digesters, 
each with a capacity of 10,000 m3.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	
From sludge 	fermentation	 in the digesters	, it is then 	
purified of	 hydrogen sulfide and silicon compounds. 	 	
It is burned	 on	-site	 in 3 	CHP modules	. 	
Fermented sewage sludge	 	
After degassing, thermal	 hydrolysis and mechanical 	
dewatering, it is directed to the Sludge 	Incineration	 Facility	 	
with a throughput of 159 tons per da	y. The obtained heat 	
is used to dry sludge and sewage screenings.	 	
Electricity	 	
From on	-site 	incineration	 of 	both 	biogas and 	dry 	
fermented	 sludge. This covers 70% of the 	WWTP	's demand	 	
in energy	. Total electrical power of the generators: 2	,8 MW	 	
Heat	 	
Recovered from electricity generation. Covers 100% of the 
WWTP’s	 demand, 	including building and tap 	water 	
heating, as well as heating needed during the technological 
proce	sses. Total thermal power: 3,	5 MW	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Residue from sludge 
incineration	 	
Leftovers from the pr	ocess are disposed at the “GOŚ	-	
Lagu	ny” landfill.	 	 	
In 2023, 	a modernization took place	 that included the construction of a sludge thermal hydrolysis 	
system	, which will improve the efficiency of sludge digestion, in	crease biogas production 	and reduce 	
the mass of sludge requiring incineration while improving the degree of 	sludge 	dewatering	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	Łódź Waterworks and Sewage System Company website 	https://zwik.lodz.pl/	 	
 	Analysis of Biogas Desulphurization Process in GOŚ ŁAM 
http://bazekon.icm.edu.pl/bazekon/element/bwmeta1.element.ekon	-element	-000171498073

18	 	
 
“HAJDÓW”	 WWTP OF THE MPWiK IN LUBLIN (MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS AND SEWAGE 	
COMPANY)	 	
Location	: Lublin, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland	 	
Launch	 date	: 2000	 	
Installed capacity	: 2x 0,85 MW	 	
| WWTP biogas plant | 	energy	 production | ownership of the City of Lublin |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sewage sludge	 	
Municipal and industrial wastewater delivered 	 	
to the WWTP through a 960 km	-long 	sewer network 	
operated by th	e Company, spreading across the Lublin 	
agglomeration (Lublin, 	Świdnik, Wólka, Konopnica, Głusk, 	
Niemce	). 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Technology used and technical specification	 	
Anaerobic mesophilic 
methane fermentation	 	
The biogas produced 	in the digesters 	is later	 purified	 	
and burned in two 	CHP modules	. 	
Biogas upgrading	 	
The biogas is first desulfurized using a turf ore 	 	
and	 a biological bed, followed by dehydration and removal 	
of siloxanes (via activated carbon filters).	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use, recipients and details	 	
Upgraded biogas	 	
85% of the biogas is directed to 	the CHP system	, 5% 	goes 	
to gas boilers 	and the	 final	 excess 	of biogas 	(around 	10%) 	
is burned using a flare.	 	
Capacity: 724 m3 biogas/hour	 	
Methane content: 61	-68%.	 	
Electricity	 	
The company produces 	11,600 MWh	 of electricity 	
annually	, which covers 62% of the 	WWTP’s	 demand. 	
Anothe	r 7% is covered by a photovoltaic farm	. Electrical 	
power: 2x 851 kW.	 	
Heat	 	
84% of thermal energy is produced by 	the CHP set	, the rest 	
is supplied by 	gas 	boilers, which 	together 	covers 100% 	 	
of the 	WWTP’	s 	needs, including 	the amount needed 	 	
to heat 	sludge in the	 digesters	. Thermal power: 2x 926 kW.	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management, recipients and details	 	
Fermented sewage sludge	 	
After 	being dewatered and thickened	, it is transferred 	 	
to an 	external 	company	 to deal with	, whereas the small 	
amounts of	 its 	liquid 	part are 	disposed of in 	the nearby 	
sludge lagoons.	 	 	
In 2020, the construction of a photovoltaic power plant	 was completed	 at the WWTP with an annual 	
electricity production of up to 2050 MWh	, which co	st over 	8 million	 PLN	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	MPWiK’s main website 	https://www.mpwik.lublin.pl/

19	 	
 	
 	Article from 2014 about the biogas plant 	https://www.teraz	-srodowisko.pl/aktualnosci/MPWiK	-Lublin	-	
wykorzystanie	-biogazu	-216.html	 	
 	Article from 2020 about the WWTP's photovoltaics 	https://gospodarczy.lublin.eu/centrum	-	
informacji/blog/oczyszczalnia	-sciekow	-hajdow	-zasilana	-elektrownia	-fotowoltaiczna/

20	 	
 
GOOD PRACTICES IN NORWAY

21	 	
 
VEAS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT	 	
Location	: Asker, Norway	 	
Launch date	: 2020	 	
Installed capacity	: 85 GWh/y	 	
|WWTP biogas plant	 | liquid biogas production | 	Public ownership |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sewage wastewater	 	100 mill. m	3 of wastewater per year from 800	 000 	
individuals in the metropolitan area of Oslo, Norway. 	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic digestion	 	
A sedimentation tank collects biomass that pass through 	 	
a sludge thickener before entering a biogas reactor 
operating at 37 degree Celsius. CO2 is separated by amine 
scrubbing and the biogas is upgraded to liquid 
biomethane.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Liquid biogas	 	
Produces 10 mill. Nm	3 per year (60GWh). In 2023, 88 	
percent was upgraded to biomethane. Used in transport 
vehicles, such as buses and trucks. Until 2021 the biogas 
was used to produce electricity and heat for consumption 
on site.	 	
Ammonium sulphate	 	Produces 5 000 t per year for use as liquid fertilizer. 	 	
Soil	 	Produces 45	 000 t per year of soil products based 	 	
on sludge. Used in the agricultural sector. 	 	
Heat energy	 	Produces 110 GWh per year of heat energy supplied 	 	
to district heating system. 	 	 	
VEAS AS is a stock based company owned by three municipalities in the Oslo area, with a wastewater 
treatment plant located in Asker, Norway. The plant was built in 1976 and the main objective 	 	
of the treatment plant is to clean wastewater before it is released into the fjord. It has also produced 
biogas from the biomass contained in the wastewater since 1992. As part of a long	-term strategy 	 	
to better exploit valuable resources in the wastewater	, and reduce costs of the municipalities’ citizens, 	
a new process facility for biogas	-upgrading was installed in 2020. The new process facility separates 	
CO	2 from the biogas to make liquified biomethane	 that can be used in vehicles such as buses and 	
trucks. 	 	
The facilities also include the ability to receive CBG from external sources and convert it to LBG. 	 	
The plant also supplies surplus heat to the local district heating system, produces liquid fertili	zers 	 	
and soil products sold to the agricultural sector. There are also plans to capture the CO2 	 	
that is extracted from the biogas and purify it such that it can be sold to the food	- and drinks industry.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Company web page: 	www.Veas.nu

22	 	
 
GREVE BIOGAS 	– „THE MAGICAL FACTORY”	 	
Location	: Tønsberg, Norway	 	
Launch date	: 2015	 	
Installed capacity	: 120 GWh (biogas)	 	
| Food waste	 and agricultural biogas plant	 | biogas 	and fertilizer 	production| Public ownerhsip	 | 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Food waste	 	
Food waste is sorted by households in the region 	 	
and collected by the municipal waste management. 	 	
It currently receives food waste from around 1.2 million 
citizens.	 	
Animal manure 	 	Around 77	 000 t of manure from cattle and pig livestock 	 	
is delivered from farmers 	in the region of Vestfold. 	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic digestion	 	
Food waste and manure is mixed in containers where 
biogas is produced. 	The biogas is upgraded and delivered 	
to costumers through pipelines, and as CBG and LBG. 	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas (CBG & LBG)	 	
Sold to a distribution company that sells the biogas to be 
used for industrial purposes and as fuel 	 	
in the transportation sector. 	 	
Biofertilizer	 	Used as biofertilizer by the local farming industry.	 Reduces 	
the need for synthetically produced fertilizers. 	 	
Green CO	2 	Used in a local green house that produces tomatoes	, 	
to increase output. 	 	 	
The Magical	 Factory is Norway	’s first and largest facility that produces biogas and biofertilizer. In 2023, 	
56% of all animal manure delivered to biogas facilities in Norway was delivered to the facility	. 	
Part of the biogas that is produced is certified by ISCC (Int	ernational Sustainability & Carbon 	
Certifictaion) which documents that the substrate used are waste products and manure, 	 	
and that the biogas is produced in a sustainable manner.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Company web site: 	www.dmfas.no

23	 	
 
BIOKRAFT AS	 	
Location	: Levanger, Norway	 	
Launch date	: 2018	 	
Installed capacity	: 155 GWh/y	 	
| biogas plant for food processing waste and paper industry 	| liquid biogas production	| 	
Private	 ownership	 | 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Fish ensilage	 	The facility receives around 70	 000 t fish silage 	 	
from the salmon fish	-farming industry each year. 	 	
Processed water from paper 
production	 	
The facility receives processed water from a nearby paper 
and pulp production facility. 	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing 	method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic digestion	 	
Has developed its own concept called HOLD Technology	TM 	
(High Organic Load Digestion) to optimize large scale 
biogas production.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	Product type	 	Further use	 	
Liquid biogas	 	
The plant has a capacity to 12, 	mill. Nm	3 methane per year, 	
which is equivalent to 120 GWh. Used in the transportation 
sector, and notably by the shipping operator Hurtigruten.	 	 	
The plant was put into operation in 2018 and was one of the largest plants in the world for producing 
biomethane. Its primary substrates are fish silage from the domestic fish	-farming industry, in addition 	
to waste water from the nearby paper and pulp factory (Norske Skog). The plant is well connected 	 	
to transportation infrastructure and can receive subst	rate by shipping, train and trucks. 	 	
Biokraft AS have decided to increase its production with an additional 90GWh liquid biomethane 	 	
at an estimated net investment cost of 180 mill. NOK. Production is estimated to start 	 	
at the end of 2024.	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Produksjonsanlegg | Biokraft 	- Norge	 	
 	CountryReport2021_Norway_final.pdf 	(ieabioenergy.com)	 	
 	Growth and projects | Biokraft

24	 	
 
RÅ BIOPARK	 	
Location	: Storfjord, Norway	 	
Launch date	: Planned 	production	 start in 202	6 	
Installed capacity	: 60GWh/y	 	
| waste biogas p	lant	 | biomethane production	 | Public	 ownership	 | 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Organic matter from food 
waste, sewage, fish industry. 	 	
41 municipalities in the region. Expects 63	 000 t organic 	
waste each year. 	I will also receive organic waste 	 	
from households, businesses, livestock manure, 
wastewater, and the fish industry located along the coast. 	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic digestion	 	Anaerobic digestion of wet to semi	-solid organic waste 	
materials. The specific technology is not yet decided. 	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	Product type	 	Further use	 	
Liquid biogas	 	Expects to produce liquid biogas equivalent to 60GWh per 
year. 	 	
Biochar	 	Used as soil improvement, as an additive in cement, 	 	
in district heating and in the process industry. 	 	
Bio	-CO	2 	For use in the food	- and drinks industry and green houses.	 	 	
The compost facility in Skibotn in Storfjord	 is to be upgraded and modernized with a biogas facility 	 	
that will convert the organic matter into liquid biogas. It will receive a wide variety of organic waste, 
including food waste from households and businesses, livestock manure from local farms, wast	ewater 	
local municipalities, and organic material from the fishing industry. The facility 	 	
will also have technology to clean the air for smelly substances before its release. It is planned 	 	
to produce food grade quality CO	2 from the biogas upgrading. The 	business is owned by 6 waste 	
management companies. The leftover biomass after biogas production will be used to produce 
biochar. 	 	
Sources:	 	
 	www.raa.bio

25	 	
 
SØMNA BIOGASS	 	
Location	: Sømna, Norway	 	
Launch date	: 2026	 	
Installed capacity	: 70GWh	 	
| agricultural biogas plant	 | biogas and biomethane production	 | Public	- and private ownership	| 	
SUBSTRATE
 	Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Livestock manure	 	Livestock manure from local farmers	. 	
Fish silage and 	-sludge	 	Supplied from 	fish	-farming industry.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	Processing method	 	Description	 	
Undecided	 	The use of climate	-neutral technologies is planned.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biomethane	 	The plant expects to produce 70 GWh.	 	
Biofertilizers	 	The plant expects to 	produce 100	 000 m	3. 	
Bio	-CO2	 	Plan to sell CO2 captured from the biogas upgrading.	 	 	
A facility to produce biogas from livestock manure is planned in the municipality of Sømna	 in Northern 	
Norway. The project is an initiative from local farmers where 58 farmers retain some ownerships 	 	
in the project. Other stakeholders are local fish farming industry and municipalities. Local farms supply 
the livestock manure that is used as a s	ubstrate. After the production of biogas, the remaining biomass 	
is processed into fertilizers that is distributed back to farmers. The project has received significant 
support from Innovation Norway of 95 mill. NOK. 	 	
Sources:	 	
 	Company web page: 	www.somnabiogass.no	 	
 	Article on construction start (8.2.2024): 	https://biogassbransjen.no/2024/02/08/forventer	-byggestart	-	
pa	-nytt	-biogassanlegg	-na	-i-2024/

26	 	
 
GOOD PRACTICES IN EUROPE

27	 	
 
AVR BIOWASTE FERMENTATION PLANT IN SINSHEIM	 	
Location	: Sinsheim, Rhine	-Neckar, 	Germany	 	
Launch	 date	: 2019	 	
Capacity	: 35 000 MWh of thermal energy	 	
| biowaste biogas plant | biomethane 	production	 | private	 ownership |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Municipal biodegradable 
waste	 	
Biodegradable waste from 	selective	 waste collection 	– bio	-	
waste (kitchen waste, small garden 	waste 	especially soft 	
and 	green, hair	 and animal fur	) and green waste (larger 	
garden waste such as branches), 	rid of its non	-organic 	
parts. 	Annually, an average of 68,000 tons of bio	-waste and 	
5,000 tons of municipal 	green waste arrive at the plant.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Thermophilic anaerobic 
methane fermentation	 	
Takes place in 	two horizontal digesters with a capacity 	 	
of 2,250 m	3 each.	 	
Biogas upgrading to 
biomethane	 	
Biogas undergoes upgrading w	ith the help of a membrane 	
system developed by Vorwerk, where the biogas is first 
purified of micropollutants and unwanted volatile 
substances (including desulfurization, activated carbon 
filtration) so that at the final treatment stage, a polymer 
membrane	 from manufacturer Evonik only 	has to 	separate	 	
carbon dioxide from methane.	 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biomethane	 	
Biogas 	turned in	to biomethane	 (97% methane content)	 	
is 	transferred to the national gas distribution network. 	
Annual production of 	biomethane: 35 million kWh 	 	
of thermal energy.	 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Digestate	 	
Dewatered and processed into 	a 	high	-quality compost	 	
(in 13 tunnels)	, it is 	later 	sold 	in 	both wholesale and retail.	 	
12	 tons of compost are produced yearly.	 	 	
The AVR plant complex in Sinsheim was built on the site of a reclaimed landfill	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	Biogas plant main website 	https://www.avr	-biogas.de/bg/Home/	 	
 	Brochure about AVR 	https://avr	-bioterra.de/media/AVR_Flyer_Bioabfallvergaerung/#page/1	 	
 	Brochure about biogas production 	https://avr	-bioterra.de/m	edia/AVR_BAVA_2023/#page/1	 	
 	Brochure about biomethane 	https://www.avr	-biogas.de/media/AVR_BAVA_GAS_2023/#page/1	 	
 	Shareholder page 	https://www.mvv.de/en/about	-us/group	-of-companies/mvv	-umwelt/renewable	-	
energies/biowaste	-anaerobic	-digestion/sinsheim	-biowaste	-anaero	bic	-digestion	-plant	 	
 	Biogas upgrading technology 	https://www.friedrich	-vorwerk.de/en/news/news	-and	-projects	/avr	-	
biogas	-gmbh	-construction	-of-a-biogas	-upgrading	-plant	-in-sinsheim.html

28	 	
 
HAMBURG WASSER	 	
Location	: Hamburg, Germany	 	
Launch	 date	: 2011	 	
Capacity	: 1 350 m3 biomethane/h	 	
| WWTP biogas plant | biomethane production | ownership of the City of Hamburg |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Sewa	ge sludge	 	
From the Köhlbrandhöft municipal wastewater treatment 
plant (producing 4,000 m	3 of sludge	 per 	day) 	handling 	 	
the 	sew	age	 network 	of 	approximately 5,500	-kilometer	s 	
in Hamburg and 17 surrounding municipalities, as well 	 	
as 200,000 Mg/year of 	sewage 	sludge from other 	
municipalities and companies	, for an additional cost	. 	
Fermented sewage sludge	 	Dewatered and stored after the fermentation process 	 	
in a 	hermetically 	sealed	 “basin	” in order	 to dry 	it out.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Anaerobic methane 
fermentation	 	
Takes place i	n 10 digesters 	of a total capacity of 80,000 m	3, 	
for about 20 days	. 	
Landfill biogas capture	 	
Biogas from a heated, hermetically 	sealed	 storage facility 	
for 	digested sludge	, connected 	to 	the	 stream 	of biogas 	
directed to biomethane conversion	. 	
Biogas upgrading to 
biomethane	 	
Takes place in 2	 GALA 	systems 	purify	ing the	 biogas 	 	
from 	its 	carbon dioxide, water and	 unpleasant	 odou	rs. 	
Incineration of dry digested 
sludge	 	
Incineration of 63,000 tons of dry digested sludge per year 
in 	the 	VERA 	system 	(through f	luidized bed combustion 	
(FBC)	, 800°C) to produce electricity	, with the	 recovery 	 	
of secondary raw materials (including lime, phosph	orus).

29	 	
 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biomethane	 	
The b	iogas from the 	digesters	, after being 	upgraded	 	
into biomethane, is fed into the gas network of the City 	 	
of Hamburg. This biomethane supplies	 a total of around	 	
5,700 households	 with gas for heating and cooking.	 	
Electricity	 	
From the 	incineration	 of a portion of 	the produced 	biogas 	
in order 	to 	fulfil	 the W	WTP's own needs; 89,000 MWh 	 	
of energy per year comes from the 	incineration	 of dry 	
digested sludge, partly used by the W	WTP 	itself 	and partly 	
transferred to the municipal power grid.	 	
Heat	 	
From the 	incineration	 of part of the biogas to fulfil 	 	
the WWTP’s own 	needs	, as well as 	the needs 	of the nearby	 	
Tollerort container terminal, f	rom the 	incineration	 	
of dry digested sludge	, wh	ich is 	primarily used 	 	
to dry 	fermented 	sludge	. 	
 	
Residues	 	Further management	 	
Ash 	 	
From the burning of d	igested sewage sludge, 	it is later 	
disposed of 	in 	its conditioned 	form	. 	
Ash 	yield	: 65 Mg/day	 	
Lime recovery	 yield	: 9 Mg/day	 	 	
Hamburg Wasser	 is promoting a solution titled Hamburg Water Cycle (HWC)	 to individuals	 involving, 	
among other things, the	 separation of black water	 and gray water using vacuum toilets, 	in order 	 	
to save water and energy and 	also to 	improve biogas production	 processes la	ter on	. The	 HWC also 	
includes solutions 	regarding 	rainwater retention	 and 	the 	(re)	us	age	 of gray water 	at home	. The 	HWC's 	
solutions are designed for both	 private	 households and 	bigger	 utility 	facilities, such as at Hamburg's 	
environmental education center	, the Gut Karlshöhe Environmental Center.	 	
A fourth VERA II 	incineration	 line is currently under construction in cooperation with the Südholstein 	
wastewater treatment plant 	and the municipal plant of the C	ity of Lübeck, as a response 	 	
to the increasing volu	mes of sewage sludge produced and the increasing demand for energy. 	 	
The 5 wind turbines at the Hamburg Wasser plant at the Port of Hamburg produce a total 	 	
of 40,000	 MWh of electricity annually; photovoltaic 	farms	 are also 	in the making	. 	
A new device	 is c	urrently under construction in Hamburg 	aiming 	to recover heat (12	-22	C waste heat)	 	
from treated wastewater before it is discharged to the 	end of line waterbody (the Elbe river). 	This heat 	
combined with energy from heat pumps will power a local district hea	ting network serving 39,000 	
households 	as of	 2025. The same water used for heating 	will also, via 	heat exchangers	, be used to 	cool 	
water in the Arctic Ocean zone of the Hagenbeck Zoo	. 	
Sources:	 	
 	Hamburg Wasser biogas plant website 
https://www.hamburgwasser.de/umwelt/energiegewinnung/biogas	 	
 	Concept of HWC 	https://www.hamburgwasser	.de/umwelt/vorsorge/hamburg	-water	-cycle	 	
 	Information brochure 	https://www.hz	-inova.com/wp	-content/uploads/2020/08/HZI_Reference	-	
sheet_Hamburg.pdf	 	
 	Brochur	e Hitachi Zosen INOVA 	https://www.hz	-inova.com/wp	-	
content/uploads/2020/08/HZI_Reference	-sheet_Hamburg.pdf

30	 	
 
CVO LILLE	 	
(CENTRE DE VALORISATION DES DÉC	HETS ORGAN	IQUES 	– BIOWASTE RECOVERY CENTRE	) 	
Location	: Sequedin, Hauts	-de	-France, France	 	
Launch	 date	: 2007	 	
Capacity	: 673 m	3 of biogas/h	 	
| biowaste biogas plant | biomethane 	production	 | ownership of Séquoia (Suez) |	 	
SUBSTRATE
 	
Substrate type	 	Source	 	
Biodegradable waste	 	
Green waste from public green spaces, 	biowaste 	from 	 	
at home waste sorting and from waste collection points	, 	
as well as 	from the catering and commercial sectors 	
(mainly city markets	 and school cafeterias	). Waste 	
collected from the Lill	e metropolitan area (1.2 million 	
inhabitants).	 	
Content of dry mass	 before fermentation (after substrate 	
processing): 25	-30% d.m.	 	 	
PROCESS
 	
Processing method	 	Description	 	
Thermophilic anaerobic 
methane fermentation	 	
In 	3 closed 	horizontal 	digesters, 	1900 m	3 each (Strabag 	
type), at a temperature of 57°C.	 	
Composting of the digestate	 	
Takes place i	n 22 tunnels for 3 weeks and 	then a minimum 	
of 4 days at temperatures above 60°C for hygienization; 	
maturation takes place	 in a closed hall for 3 weeks. 	 	
The process 	uses rainwater collected throughout the year 	
from all the Plant's roofs for	 compost	 watering	. 	 	
PRODUCTS
 	
Product type	 	Further use	 	
Biogas	 	
10	-20% of the biogas produced is consumed to heat 	 	
the 	digesters.	 	
Biogas production capacity: 1 million m	3/year	 	
Methane 	content: 55	-60%	 	
Biomethane	 	
The remaining biogas is 	upgraded into	 biomethane using 	
FLOTECH	 technology, which involves dissolving CO	2 	
and H	2S in water. The biomethane is then compressed 	 	
and 	sold	 to the national gas grid	. 	
 	
Residues	 	Further 	management	 	
Digestate 	 	
After 	being mixed 	with	 some	 coarser biodegradable 	
fractions (>55 mm), it is 	subjected to composting	. 	
Compost production capacity: 19,300 Mg/year	 	
Compost	 	
Most of it is sold to local farms, 	whereas	 10% 	 	
of 	it is distributed for free at waste collection points 	 	
to 	private 	individual	s from 	the 	MEL	, for personal use.	 	 	
CVO's original intention was to 	turn 	biomethane into fuel 	to feed	 MEL	's public transport vehicles, 	 	
but for financial and technical reasons it proved more advantageous to sell 	it to the national 	gas 	
distribution network. Part of the Lille metropolitan area's	 bus	 fleet currently runs on biomethane fuel 	
produced in the CVO via 	the national gas network.

31	 	
 
Sou	rces:	 	
 	Loos	-Sequeding Port website 	https://portsdelille.com/les	-ports/port	-de	-loos	-sequedin/	 	
 	Article from MEL’s website about the CVO 	https://lillemetropole.fr/communique	-de	-presse/mieux	-	
trier	-pour	-mieux	-recycler	-la-metropole	-europeenne	-de	-lille	-pionn	iere	-en	 	
 	Article from 2018 about the CVO Lille 	https://www.bioenergie	-promotion.fr/57663/le	-centre	-de	-	
valorisation	-organique	-de	-lille	-pionnier	-francais	-de	-linjection	-de	-biomethane/	 	
 	Article from 2022 about the compost from CVO Lille 	https://objectifmetropolesdefrance.fr/lille	-un	-	
compost	-made	-in-metropole	-pour	-les	-habitants/