Start strengthens partnership Wageningen UR and Eneco
On 17 June Eneco and Wageningen UR, strategic partner and initiator of ACRRES, respectively, laid the foundation stone for the ACRRES project EnergieRijk (EnergyRich). EnergieRijk starts with the construction of a bio-cofermenter as part of a unique concept of biomass processing at farm and regional level.
The test location is unique through the link of the co-fermenter (fermentation of animal manure in combination with plant material) with a bio-ethanol installation and an algae pool, aimed at maximum biomass utilisation (energy and more valuable materials) and regional use of residual and raw materials.
Linking of the three installations results in a sustainable form of energy generation, economically as well as ecologically, for the agricultural sector. Farmers and growers are very interested in using such to benefit from the added value.
The combination of bio-cofermenter, bio-ethanol fermentation and algae production ensures a profitable use of residual heat and other waste materials, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, re-use of nutrients, and environment-friendly production of bio-ethanol, electricity, bio-oil and possibly even animal feed by using algal waste products.
The market version of this concept for agricultural holdings is expected in two years time.
Work focuses on improvement of the energy yield per hectare, maximum valorisation of biomass, emission reductions, increasing economic returns, and optimisation of energy production and nutrient balance.
Eneco is strategic partner in this research programme as part of its strategy to advance the development and application of innovative sustainable energy solutions. This cooperation also contributes to Eneco’s ambition to expand the mix of means for sustainable production. Besides capital and manpower, Eneco contributes knowledge in areas such as smoke gases, total energy plants, fermentation, digestate processing, electricity and heat production to this research programme.