Production of biogas
About this good practice
Biogas as fossil free fuel that is part of fossil free infrastructure that ZCI project is about. Vaxjo municipalities wanted to become self-sufficient in production of biogas fuel for the vehicles in their organization together with providers of public transport. At the same time it was free access to sewage sludge from water purification plant as well as substrate from the food waste collected in the region. 2013 politicians made decision to upgrade water purification plant to produce biogas. In this way the goal of a fossil fuel-free municipality could be reached. This goal contributes to cleaner air and a sustainable future. The waste that is not transformed in biogas becomes a nutritious digestate and is used as fertilizer and soil improvement that can replace artificial fertilizers in agriculture. Main stakeholder is the owner, Vaxjo municipality, and main beneficiaries are Vaxjo municipality is Region Kronoberg.
Resources needed
Latest upgrade of the plant started 2021 and was finished June 2024. Architectural, sustainability developers and builders together with local politician were involved in the building. The total cost was SEK 21 million where SEK 3.5 million came from the Swedish Climate Investment found.
Evidence of success
Waste from Växjö municipality’s households can produce biogas that is enough for 20–25 city buses and 500 passenger cars annually.
Food waste and sewage sludge from Växjö municipality can each produce approximately the same amount of biogas.
Potential for learning or transfer
The GP provides environmental benefits and positive consequences for the region. By allowing biogas to replace fossil vehicle fuel, CO2 emissions is significantly lower. Because the biogas' methane is used to produce green electricity, heat and vehicle fuel and it is avoided that it is released as a greenhouse gas, the climate effect is very large. By using the biogas to produce biomethane, it becomes possible to reduce emissions in the transport sector, which is a source of large emissions.
To produce biogas, sludge from sewage treatment is used together with raw materials in the form of various types of organic waste and residual products from industries, commercial kitchens and households. This can be implemented in any city as access to substate is already there.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
