Harnessing the power of biogas fuelled combined heat and power

Nov 28, 2023

There's a biogas boom, and food and beverage manufacturers are poised to reap the benefits with the help of Brisbane-based Eneraque.

From reducing environmental impacts to improving operational efficiency and slashing your electricity bill, biogas-fuelled CHP is revolutionising the way food and beverage companies approach their energy needs – and the technology is more accessible than you think.

Biogas fuelled CHP harnesses the power of biogas, a byproduct of organic waste decomposition, to generate both electricity and heat. The biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic matter such as food waste, crop residues, and manure.

This biogas is then used to fuel a CHP system consisting of a generator that produces electricity and a heat recovery system that captures the waste heat produced during the generation process for various applications.

Eneraque, who designs, manufactures, installs and operates renewable energy systems – with a specialisation in biogas – has been at the forefront of the rapid uptake of the technology in the food and beverage sector.

Director Jeremy Pringle, says that the adoption of the technology is being driven by it's ‘golden trifecta’ of waste management, energy cost savings and improved operational efficiency, and ability to reduce carbon emissions.

"Food and beverage companies produce a significant amount of waste, and food scraps and manufacturing byproducts can be challenging to dispose of," he says. "Biogas fuelled CHP provides a sustainable solution by converting this waste into biogas, which can be used to generate energy instead of ending up in landfills or incinerators."

Biogas fuelled CHP systems generate electricity and heat onsite, reducing reliance on grid electricity and fossil fuels. This can result in substantial energy cost savings, especially for energy-intensive operations such as heating, cooling, and refrigeration.

Additionally, the waste heat generated during the electricity generation process can be captured and used across various applications, such as space heating, water heating, and steam production, providing additional cost savings and improving overall energy efficiency.

"What's more, organic waste from food and beverage production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, as it decomposes and releases methane into the atmosphere," says Pringle.

"Through biogas fuelled CHP, food and beverage companies can capture and convert this methane into electricity and heat, thereby reducing their carbon footprint."

Unlike solar or wind energy, which are dependent on weather conditions, biogas CHP systems can operate 24/7, providing a consistent source of electricity and heat. This can help food and beverage companies to meet their energy demands consistently and ensure uninterrupted operations, which is critical in a highly competitive industry where downtime can lead to substantial financial losses.

Eneraque's expertise covers a full suite of biogas technology, incorporating biomethane upgrading, biogas storage, flares, scrubbing and polishing as well as CO2 liquefaction, Bio-CO2 and biogas to Hydrogen.

Their Australian manufactured equipment is developed from best-practice technology coming out of Europe, and they have delivered solutions for businesses of all sizes, from smaller scale independents to large scale operations.

"Any technology needs to work for your site and not the other way around," says Pringle.

"It's why we start with an assessment of your site and energy needs and ensure it's an asset that will continue to provide a return on your investment."