CE Network
Energy farm in Abony
The energy farm embraces the biorefinery concept: dedicated crops and residues are processed into energy carriers through various, interlinked conversion platforms. This creates closed loops in by-product and waste utilisation among the farm components, minimizing environmental emissions and fossil energy inputs. The farm operates 3000 ha of cropland, producing mainly feed for a dairy operation (2000 heads of cattle). The manure is processed in anaerobic digesters (AD) to biogas, which is combusted in a 640 kW CHP plant. Power is fed to the grid, heat is used internally, to maintain AD temperature and for the future distillation process, as well as in greenhouse production. DGs from ethanol production will be fed to cattle to augment their protein diet. The accelerated composter closes the loop, where all remaining residues are treated and processed into a valuable market commodity. The process results in significant production cost cuts, through energy savings, rationalisation of production and carbon emission offsets.
| 4Biomass Project Partner: | › Abony Agricultural Co. Ltd. |
| Contact persons: | › Zsolt Gemesi |
| Demoproject type: | Demo plant |
| Energy plant type: | Thermal energy plant, Electrical energy plant, Biogas energy plant |
| Start up dates: | planning: 2002; construction: 2004; operation/commissioning: 2010 |
| Feedstocks of current use: | manure, silage, corn, sorghum |
| Feedstocks of future interests: | distiller's grains, algae |
| Biomass consumption: | 65000 t/a ( more info ) |
| Source (Origin): | In situ |
| Used systems: | Anaerobic fermentation unit, Ethanol distillery, CHP plant, Accelerated composter |
| Inovative equipment: | Closed-loops in the production processes with no fossil energy inputs and near-zero emissions. |
| Thermal efficiency: | 90 % ( more info ) |
| Total efficiency: | 90 % ( more info ) |
| Type of final product: | heat, power, ethanol, compost |
| Electric capacity: | 640 kW |
| Thermal capacity: | 1000 kW ( more info ) |
| Water recycle: | Irrigation |
| Waste production: | Liquid phase from AD |
| Waste recycling: | Applied to cropland |
| Waste utilization: | All residues are utilised. No landfilling or disposal. |
| Waste disposal: | n.a. |
| Residue usage: | 50000 t/y |
| Savings of CO2: | 13000 t/y |
| Total budget: | 9.3 mil. EUR |
| Incentive type: | Feed in tariff |
| Scientific advice: | |
| Involved companies: | LIPP Gmbh. |
| Direct employment: | 16 employed people |
| Indirect employment: | 103 employed people ( more info ) |
| Positive experiences: | The energy farm concept is being multiplied in Hungary, a clear sign of success. The economic viability of the whole operation increases as there are variable output options for an input mix that is vulnerable to external price drivers. |
| Negative experiences: | Supplier selection and scheduling is a crucial aspect that can cause major delays and set-backs. Implementing such projects in time of a global financial recession was a major challange. |
the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF