EnviTec Biogas leads the global biomethane arena with the “NAWARO BioEnergie Park“, the world’s largest biomethane plant, in Güstrow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

Built by EnviTec Biogas AG, the plant has a thermal output of 55 megawatts (MW). The plant feeds 46 million cubic metres p.a. of refined biogas into the public gas grid. The plant’s output is equivalent to roughly 160 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and 180 kWh of heat, covering the energy needs of a small town with a population of approx. 50,000. Apart from environmentally friendly energy, the plant also produces high-quality natural fertiliser in the form of fermentation residues. The costs of these fertilisers can be significantly below those of conventional fertilisers

“This plant gives proof of our expertise in large-scale projects and opens a new chapter in the industrial use of biogas,” says Olaf von Lehmden, CEO of EnviTec Biogas.

The Güstrow plants uses 20 fermenters as well as silos, administrative buildings and fermentation residue stores in the 20-ha site. The renewable resources needed for the production of biogas such as maize, grain and grass are sourced from local farmers within a 50 kilometre radius. Most of the biogas, refined to natural gas standards, is sold to VNG Verbundnetz Gas AG.

“If we want to achieve a secure and reliable energy supply from renewable energies, plants of the Güstrow size are indispensable,” says Felix Hess, Managing Director of NAWARO BioEnergie Park “Güstrow” GmbH and CEO of NAWARO BioEnergie AG. EnviTec still sees huge potential in the use of biogas for the local energy supply and the reduction in natural gas imports.

EnviTec offers a wide range of solutions – from 190 KW plants to 4 MW modules. "We have the right plant for both farmers and energy companies to enable them to contribute to tomorrow’s energy supply and reduce Germany’s dependence on fossil sources,” says Olaf von Lehmden. 

Biogas offers enormous potential as a substitute for imported natural gas,” says Kunibert Ruhe, Chief Technology Officer of Envitec Biogas AG. “Eco- friendly biomethane production offers attractive investment opportunities for operators of industrial and agricultural plants.” The anticipated market growth is based on the German government’s objective to feed six billion cubic metres of biomethane through the country’s gas grid by 2020. According to computations by dena, the German Energy Agency, this will require the construction of up to 2,000 new biogas production plants. At present refined biogas is fed into the country’s natural gas grid by fewer than 20 plants. EnviTec is determined to tap into this growth potential and can point to remarkable progress in this field.

Apart from large plants, EnviTec Biogas is increasingly active also in the market for smaller gas refinement facilities, allowing customers to benefit from the expertise gained in the construction of major plants. Current examples include a 4 MW biomethane plant at Zwickau in the state of Saxony. The customer is Bioenergieerzeugung Zwickau e.G., an umbrella cooperative comprised of five farming cooperatives based in the region. Its members have decided to build this biogas plant as a reliable source of revenue. Kunibert Ruhe says: “Biogas production is an ideal sideline activity for farmers who stand to get both a fixed monthly income stream and natural fertilisers for the fields.” In addition, EnviTec’s Own Plant Operation segment is developing several biomethane plants including refinement units with capacity ratings upwards from 2.5 MW. These projects are currently at the planning or approval stages. Going forward, EnviTec Biogas AG plans to build on its technological leadership on an even more sustained basis in order to fully meet the needs of the fast-growing biogas market.