UBC - The UBC Bulletin / 1-99

VÄXJÖ GOES FOR BIOGAS

In Växjö waste from households is too easy dumped which is both burdensome for the environment and wasteful in many ways. With its new OPTI gas project the city looks at the possibilities of using the biogas and how the nutrients could be used as the fertiliser.

Biogas is a fuel which releases fewer dangerous substances into the air and can be used in cars and buses. The possibility to use manure and energy crops from farms for biogas production is also being researched.

If the preliminary study shows good results, a plant for processing organic material will be built. Energy, such as biogas, will be collected and the remaining material returned to farmland. The plant will have two separate product lines, one of which will provide nutrients suitable for use in food production.

The approach of anaerobic digestion of all available organic waste and energy crops, is new to a region with low agricultural activity, such as Växjö. With strong political support, both local and national, the investment in a biogas infrastructure in Växjö will make an important contribution to the establishment of an infrastructure for production and distribution of biogas fuel for vehicles. Consequently, the government subsidy of 4.3 million ECU was granted for investments in a biogas infrastructure.

The Växjö Municipal Board has unanimously committed itself to reduce radicalistically the use of fossil fuels. The preliminary study will be carried out in co-operation between the University of Southern Jutland, ECAT Lithuania, The Swedish Farmer's Union and the Agriculutural Institute with support from the Swedish Goverment and the EU's Alterner II Programme.

Further informtaion:

Mr Ove Dahl, City of Växjö
Phone:
+46 470 415 93
Fax:
+46 470 415 80
e-mail:
ove.dahl@kommun.vaxjo.se

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