SAS AUGIGAZ has created a community anaerobic digestion plant at Augicourt, in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. By producing biomethane, which is directly injected into the local gas network, the facility will enable the development of renewable energy production in Franche-Comté and also the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
An anaerobic digestion plant to produce environmentally friendly manure in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- 16 January 2020
This project is a huge challenge to be met. It is also beneficial on a human level. The neighbouring farmers can contribute to the activity of the anaerobic digestion plant by bringing their various agricultural outputs (livestock waste, intermediate biofuel-producing crops and other crops) and by taking environmentally friendly manure in return, enabling them to partially eliminate the use of chemical fertilisers.
The anaerobic digestion plant will enable the farmers of the community to better manage their outputs of livestock waste, particularly in winter, when the plots are more difficult to access.
The total tonnage of slurry and manure from the farm, waste water and seepage, silo waste and plant cover will be deposited on the site of the anaerobic digestion plant. This biomass will be consequently recycled more effectively. It consists of a sizeable plant of 21 GWh of gas per year, representing the consumption of approximately 2,000 homes.
The association of two farmers
At a difficult time for farmers, this project offers an opportunity for a sustainable activity. Two cattle and grain farmers joined forces to achieve the necessary volume to feed into this anaerobic digestion plant: Philippe Sirodot and Nicolas Mariotte. The company SAS AUGIGAZ was created on 21 October 2017. Philippe Sirodot is the Managing Director and Nicolas Mariotte is the President of the company.
The two business partners applied for access to the gas network and then chose a construction company for the anaerobic digestion plant. The works began in December 2018. The tanks and the building were constructed. The first volumes of gas should be injected by early spring 2020.
After numerous visits and coordination with companies and organisations, the project leaders took the decision to launch a "wet process" anaerobic digestion plant, also known as a CSTR (Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor). At the start, two full-time employees will take care of the plant's operations. Temporary staff will supervise the provision of the stocks required for the operation of the plant and the output of digestates (solid and liquid).Environmental protection measures
The main provisions that will be made to support environmental protection are as follows:
all of the provisions of the "anaerobic digestion" ruling (ruling modified on 12/08/2010);tracking and sustainability of inputs;recycling of materials output from the facilities, prioritising their return to earth, in accordance with the ruling of 13/06/2017 on digestates from agricultural anaerobic production;separation of road and roof rainwater networks;specific provisions in each category of waste in order to limit any disturbance in terms of odours and provisions made within the facilities;implementation of better farming practices.To support the creation of this plant, the spreading of manure and slurry will be ended and replaced by the spreading of digestate, a traditional compost with greatly reduced odour pollution.
Finally, measures have been implemented to minimise the risks associated with the process for the surrounding communities. Additional measures have been taken with regard to the integration of the plant into the landscape.
Total investment and European funding
The "Anaerobic digestion plant" project received a total investment of EUR 7 940 200; the contribution of the European Regional Development Fund was EUR 932 973, as part of the "ERDF-ESF Operational Programme for Franche-Comté and Jura" co-operation programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment relates to the "Energy Union and Climate" priority.