Heat and Electricity Production from Biogas in Miskolc23 July 2010
In the framework of the Environment and Energy Operational Programme, the Miskolci Hőszolgáltató Ltd replaced the utilisation of natural gas with biogas in its heating works in Futó utca. Furthermore, efficient biogas-based cogeneration of gas and electricity was implemented. The 500-million HUF project has now been completed, with EU funding of 197 million HUF.
In 2006, in the framework of the ISPA programme, a modern, regional central waste treatment facility was built in the vicinity of Hejőpap, with the cooperation of 37 settlements.
Approximately 5 million tons of community waste was disposed of in the landfill in Bogáncs utca. Following the closure of the landfill, the site was covered and re-cultivated. In the closed landfill, biogas is given off in the course of a natural chemical process, which, after appropriate cleaning, is suitable for heat generation and for electricity production as gas engine fuel.
In order to further develop the project, MIHŐ Kft carried out a two-phase investment for biogas utilisation. In the first phase, a 2000-meter gas pipe and a modern boiler suitable for burning biogas were installed between the Heat works in Futó utca and the landfill in Bogáncs utca. The biogas boiler supplies 319 apartment block flats in Hejőcsaba with heat and hot water.
The second phase of the development was needed because all the biogas produced in the landfill is utilised in the winter season, but in the summer, less gas is required for producing hot water. The installation of a gas engine suitable for electricity production was needed to utilise the surplus biogas. In order to ensure a continuous supply of gas to the engine, 67 new gas pumps were installed in addition to the 84 existing ones.
The result of the utilisation of green energy is competitive district heating fees for the residents. A further environmental achievement is that carbon-dioxide emission will decrease by close to 4,000 tons annually.
There were 42 successful project proposals within the grant scheme 4.1.0 “Support for heat and/or electricity production from renewable energy” within the Environment and Energy Operational Programme. The total EU funding for these projects exceeds 7 billion HUF.