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BioZon: Cooperative energy production from landfill gas extraction
Published on 28 November 2019
Netherlands
Gelderland
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About this good practice
A former landfill (24 ha.) of municipal waste was in use from ’60 untill ’90. The former landfill has been covered with trisoplast and a two meters thick soil layer. Before covering a landfill gas extraction system was realised.
The extracted landfill gas is used to produce renewable electricity. Since 1994 a commercial enterprise exploited the landfill gas installation. The engine had to be replaced by a smaller one that fits to the actual gas volume. This resulted in a business model that was no longer positive for the commercial enterprise. At that moment, a new business model idea was born.
AGEM, a collaboration of municipalities and citizens from the Achterhoek-region supports the ambition of an energy neutral region in 2030. AGEM set up the local cooperative BioZon to replace the old motor and exploit the landfill gas installation.
Now BioZon runs the 80 kW’s gas installation. Members of the BioZon cooperative profit from a national tax regulation for renewable energy according to their certificates of participation.
Above ground the landfill was transformed into an attractive green hill full of nature, which is an open area for hikers and other recreational activities like a donkey stable, where tourists can walk along with a donkey. After 6 years even the cooperative gas turbine will be too large for the remaining gas availability. At that point the cooperative saved enough budget to purchase an PV-installation to continue renewable energy production.
The extracted landfill gas is used to produce renewable electricity. Since 1994 a commercial enterprise exploited the landfill gas installation. The engine had to be replaced by a smaller one that fits to the actual gas volume. This resulted in a business model that was no longer positive for the commercial enterprise. At that moment, a new business model idea was born.
AGEM, a collaboration of municipalities and citizens from the Achterhoek-region supports the ambition of an energy neutral region in 2030. AGEM set up the local cooperative BioZon to replace the old motor and exploit the landfill gas installation.
Now BioZon runs the 80 kW’s gas installation. Members of the BioZon cooperative profit from a national tax regulation for renewable energy according to their certificates of participation.
Above ground the landfill was transformed into an attractive green hill full of nature, which is an open area for hikers and other recreational activities like a donkey stable, where tourists can walk along with a donkey. After 6 years even the cooperative gas turbine will be too large for the remaining gas availability. At that point the cooperative saved enough budget to purchase an PV-installation to continue renewable energy production.
Resources needed
The BioZon cooperation exploits the installation. It is financed by subsidy from the province and selling certificates tot the local community. Total estimated costs of exploitation are € 205.000,- for the next six years.
Evidence of success
BioZon is unique in its kind since it is the first landfill gas project completely financed by the local community. The initiative came from AGEM, a cooperation of municipalities, citizens and business life out of the region Achterhoek, that has the ambition to become an energy neutral region in 2030.
The municipality, participant in AGEM, is owner of the landfill. They are responsible for monitoring around and maintaining the top layer of the landfill.
The municipality, participant in AGEM, is owner of the landfill. They are responsible for monitoring around and maintaining the top layer of the landfill.
Potential for learning or transfer
Members of the energy cooperation profit from a national tax regulation, which gives them exemption of energy taxes based on the amount of electricity they produce (in kWh) according to their certificates of participation. The landfill gas installation, that is now called ‘the Green Engine’ by the energy cooperation, is running continually on 80 kW’s of power. The energy cooperation is selling the electricity that is produced to AGEM, which is an official reseller of local renewable energy. Members of the cooperation can become customer of AGEM and purchase the own produced local green electricity. Both the energy cooperation and AGEM strive to maximal involvement of local business life. Since the region Achterhoek has to deal with a population decline, this is a very desirable effect.
The lesson learnt is that by involving the local community a former landfill can be given a new function and especially generates income for a shrinking community.
The lesson learnt is that by involving the local community a former landfill can be given a new function and especially generates income for a shrinking community.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
cooperation BioZon Achterhoek
Netherlands
Gelderland
Contact
project manager