Harnessing Sustainable Energy: The Vision for an Agricultural Biogas Plant in Cieszymowo

Introduction

In the pursuit of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, the village of Cieszymowo is embarking on a cutting-edge and strategic project — the construction of an agricultural biogas plant. This initiative would be an effort of local agriculture company Fortune as part of the redefinition of sustainable energy development in rural communities.

The biogas plant would be based on substrates from cow breeding (farm area 2,300 ha, 2,700 cattle, including 1,200 cows).

The Need for Sustainable Energy

Village of Cieszymowo, located on the eastern edge of the commune of Mikołajki Pomorskie, like many other rural areas, faces challenges in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply. The traditional reliance on fossil fuels not only poses environmental concerns but also creates economic vulnerabilities. The agricultural biogas plant emerges as a solution to address these issues by tapping into the vast potential of agricultural waste for energy production.

A Roadmap for Data Collection

Phase 1: Assessing Resource Availability

The first step involves a comprehensive assessment of local agricultural resources. Fortune, in cooperation with experts, has already estimated the amount of organic waste generated regularly, identifying potential feedstocks for the biogas plant.

Phase 2: Feasibility Study

Armed with data on resource availability, the project team will conduct a detailed feasibility study. This phase includes analyzing the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of the biogas plant. The aim is to ensure that the project is not only viable but also sustainable in the long run.

The biggest problem (according to a representative of the agricultural company Fortune, during an interview at the Mikołajki Pomorskie Commune Office in March 2023) is obtaining public financial support (subsidy) – in the case of the discussed biogas plant, CAPEX exceeds PLN 10 million.

Phase 3: Design and Engineering

Following the feasibility study, the project will move into the design and engineering phase. This involves crafting a detailed plan for the construction of the biogas plant, considering factors such as technology selection, infrastructure requirements, and safety measures.

Benefits of the Agricultural Biogas Plant

1. Renewable Energy Generation

The biogas plant will harness the power of organic waste to produce renewable energy, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources and lowering carbon emissions.

Based on feedstocks, the estimated installed electrical capacity could be around 0.6 MW; 100% of the electricity produced would be used by the farm itself, while part of the heat (apart from its own needs – biogas plant and cow breeding) could be sold to the commune, in particular, becoming a source of heat (instead of the existing coal-fired boiler) for multi-family buildings in Cieszymowo. The option might be inclusion a methanation part in the biogas installation.

2. Waste Management

By utilizing agricultural waste as feedstock, the project contributes to efficient waste management, addressing a critical environmental concern in the village.

3. Economic Opportunities

The construction and operation of the biogas plant will create jobs within the community, fostering economic growth and empowering local residents.

4. Community Empowerment

Educational programs and community engagement initiatives would accompany the project, ensuring that the benefits of the biogas plant are understood and embraced by the entire village.

Conclusion

The construction of an agricultural biogas plant in Cieszymowo represents a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient future. Through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to positive environmental and economic impact, this project will serve as a beacon for other communities seeking innovative solutions to energy challenges.

Fortune company will invite all stakeholders to join hands and contribute to the realization of a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable village of Cieszymowo and the commune of Mikołajki Pomorskie.

Fortune on YouTube:

Mikołajki Pomorskie is a partner in Energy Equilibrium project where Energy Equilibrium Platform will be piloted in 2024.

Energy Equilibrium platform with the tool currently being developed and the planned road maps for Mikołajki Pomorskie can provide valuable insights for better energy planning in the region.

This article was prepared by IMP PAN who are one of the partners in Energy Equilibrium project.

© Image by Marcin Jozwiak on Unsplash

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