Case Story Denmark

SØNDERJYSK BIOGAS BEVTOFT

Hi-tech Danish biogas installation a key player in rural development

March 2018

MISSION AND VISION

Beginning operation in April 2016, the Sønderjysk Biogas Plant Bevtoft (Figure 1) has the capacity to co-digest over 600,000 tons of biomass yearly. The plant is owned and operated in a joint-venture between E.ON and Sønderjysk Biogas Invest A/S, a company owned by local farmers. The overall investment in the project was € 33 million. The plant in Bevtoft has a production capacity of 21 million Nm3 of biomethane per year, which is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 15,000 households, biofuel for 571 city buses or 10,000 cars (Box 1), while providing an estimated CO2 reduction of 51,000 tons per annum. As part of the project, Puregas Solutions have delivered their largest upgrading plant ever with a capacity of 6,000 Nm3 /h of biogas.

The establishment of the biogas plant has enjoyed a broad local support from the start; locals have been consulted at several stages during the decision-making process. There was also a political incentive, to find a solution to digest the available slurry and agricultural biomass in the area, and to increase its value as a fertiliser. The biogas plant has a strong association of slurry suppliers; farmers were queuing to become members, as they believe in the benefits of biogas. Biogas is good for the environment, it reduces the carbon footprint of the farm, it contributes to Denmark’s transition towards a fossil free society, and it creates new growth opportunities for local rural areas and for local agriculture. The plant contributes to developing the rural community, and frequently sponsors local events, gives tours to school groups, and is also interesting on a scientific level, due its hi-tech and innovative technology of manure based biogas production. It is not only the local community that is benefits from the biogas plant; but the plant demonstrates that Southern Jutland is a good place to work and live, and that it is possible to create a good working relationship with the municipality. It has also had an effect on job creation, both at the plant, but also in the rural community, in electricity provision, cleaning and transport businesses, and offers on-going service and maintenance work for local subcontractors. Sønderjysk Biogas is committed to preventing any possible negative effects from the plant, and encourages continuous, close dialogue with the neighbours and local citizens.