Sowing and harvesting biogas
Biogas plants for renewable raw materials
TEWE Biogas has always focussed on the fermentation of renewable raw materials such as maize, grass, grain, sugar beets and intercrops, amassing extensive expertise of plant construction and plant management in the process. The fermentation of renewable raw materials contributes greatly to efficient and sustainable energy production and makes an ideal combination with other commercial raw materials, such as food waste from industry and commerce. These tailored plant solutions offer commercial and industrial users a reliable energy source and promote a resource-saving circular economy.
With its targeted use of renewable raw materials, TEWE’s biogas plants make a major contribution to eco-friendly energy extraction. The holistic and flexible plant planning ensures economic efficiency and sustainable exploitation of the raw materials and byproducts used, thus strengthening the commercial and industrial sectors.
Advantages of biogas plants with renewable resources:
- Efficient energy extraction: Renewable resources like maize and sugar beets stand out due to their high methane yield per tonne of organic matter, making them ideal fermentation substrates for biogas production in commercial and industrial plants.
- Eco-friendly energy: The use of renewable resources closes nutrient cycles and enables continuous energy production with a low ecological footprint – ideal for companies seeking sustainable energy sources.
- Sustainability: These raw materials can be grown and harvested regularly, which ensures a stable supply for industrial use and contributes to the supply of industry and commerce as a renewable energy source.
- Holistic planning: TEWE takes all economic and ecological factors into account when designing the plant in order to maximise efficiency and sustainability. In addition to energy production, this promotes the exploitation of byproducts such as digestate, which can be used as natural fertiliser in commercial applications such as horticulture.
What are some examples of renewable raw materials?
Renewable raw materials (Nawaro) for biogas plants include various plants and plant parts that are grown or harvested specifically for energy production. They are used as substrates for the production of biogas and are a renewable alternative to fossil raw materials. Renewable raw materials include in particular:
- Energy crops::
- Maize: The most commonly used raw material in biogas plants due to its high yield and energy content.
- Sugar beets: Also rich in energy, these offer a good methane yield due to their sugar content.
- Rapeseed: As well as being processed for oil production, rapeseed can be used as a whole plant or as press cake.
- Grain: Various types of grain, such as rye or triticale, can be used as whole plants or silage.
- Grassland plants::
- Trefoil grass: High in protein, this plant has a particularly high yield in mixtures.
- Alfalfa: Rich in protein and nutrients and can be grown as a monoculture or polyculture.
- Meadow and field grass: Cut grasses are also suitable for fermentation and improve soil quality.
- Intercrops and nurse crops::
- Winter rye and mustard: Often grown as intercrops, these improve soil fertility and can be used as a substrate after harvest.
- Phacelia: An insect-friendly plant which can be used as an intercrop for biogas plants.
- Sunflowers and millet: In addition to food utilisation, they can also be used as biomass for biogas production.
- Agricultural waste::
- Crop waste such as straw, leaves and cereals.
- Press cakes (e.g. made from rapeseed and sunflower) as a byproduct from oil production.
- Other fast-growing plants::
- Cup plant: This relatively new plant is undemanding, has a high biomass yield and improves soil quality.
- Sweet sorghum: Very productive, but requires warmer climate zones
These renewable raw materials offer biogas plants a wide variety of possible substrates, which optimises the gas yield and reduces dependence on individual plant species.
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