Bio-Energy Production Europe (BEPE)

REPORT Second BEPE meeting in Belgium

Gent/Brussels 19-21 March 2012

1. Practical agreements

Next meeting in Germany, Scheyern 3-6 June 2012 Meeting in Italy, Perugia 18-21 October 2012 because there is the opportunity to visit the very famous chocolate festival www.eurochocolate.com

2. Direction of the project

Every country has to look on which education level bio-energy is needed. In Italy and Poland it seems to be not so easy to propose this. Therefor we need an overview on what exists on this topic in the countries. Each partner has promised to attend the final meeting in Estonia. In Bavarian, Germany for meeting #3, partners will gain valuable insight into the practical application of bio-mass energy cultivation and production. We will be hosted by partners Agri-Cultur-Association that has organized site visits for example to the Bavarian competency centre of renewable energy and primary products, several plants of biogas production, as well as several plants of wood heating systems. In preparation for the 4th meeting in Italy, Estonian partners are preparing a first draft of a new professional standard for Bio-gas Plant Operator. It is expected that partners will contribute their expertise and recommendations in developing this field according to ECVET parameters. Overall the direction of this project is going very well in terms of gaining valuable knowledge about the biomass production efforts in Europe. The partnership is also pleased that we have a good working relationship and are already exploring the possibility of a future project for a Development of Innovation, having already identified a need.

3. Short report of the visits

Power Points are available at the project website, still under development, at http://www.jkhk.ee/7738. Monday 19th of March 2012 University Ghent, Faculty of bioscience engineering, Coupure links 653, 9000 Gent

Figure 1: The Italian group

The kick off meeting started with the presentation of the possibilities to study in the university. There is a wide choice of horticultural and agricultural subjects to study, even in the bio mass energy production in University and high school levels. The possibilities of woody biomass production and biogas production were discussed with Tom Anthonis, Pieter Verdonckt and Lieven Demolder. Ilvo, Plant sciences Unit, Caritasstraat , 9090 Melle

Figure 2: Fields of Miscanthus

We listened to a hosting researcher from Hilde Muylle the research station and observed many different crops from which to produce energy. The best for our regions was Miscanthus. So we had a look to the field where the harvest would start in the near future. Mathieu en Inge Hendrickx, Bekenholstraat 1, 9550 Steenhuize-Wijnhuize

Figure 3: Biogas production an electricity unit in container

Mathieu en Inge Hendrickx has a farm with milk cows and a Bed and Breakfast. On the farm there are 65 cows and about 70 calves. They have 70 ha grass and crop land. The aim is to produce their own energy, therefor they have a system of pocket fermentation to recycle heath out of the manure. The substrate is a mixture of manure and straw. They started the system exactly one year ago. We saw the electricity production unit in a

container and the balloon with biogas. The infrastructure seems rather simple. Mathieu is very proud on his farm. Tuesday 20th of March 2012 Peter en Ann Coucke-Saerens, Hof Ter Vrijlegem, Boven Vrijlegem 41, 1730 Mollem

Figure 4: System to separate the rapeseed from the shell

Figure 5: The soaps made from rapeseed.

On this farm is also a Bed and Breakfast. The main crops are rape seed for oil production and 1.4 ha Miscanthus since 2010. The first harvest is planned for the period of our visit. In spring 2012 they will build a heating installation for burning this biomass from Miscanthus. They are looking for the moment to buy the installation. Peter told us many things about rapeseed. The oil is very healthy because of the composition. Especially the combination of -3/-6 fatty acids is good. Peter is always looking for other applications and is now making soap from the rapeseed oil. He made with students from the high school a system to remove the peel from the rapeseed so that the oil tastes better. The inventive way of managing a family farm, was very interesting. Groene Stroom Lievens Bvba, Wim Lievens, Scheyssingen 17, 1500 Halle

Figure 6: Installation of Groene Stroom Lievens

Wim Lievens made a biogas installation on the farm of his parents. The source of biomass is manure, corn and the rests of oats. Since 2011 a project was done to use also berm mowing from 7 villages in the region. This was not so successful. The production of electricity covers the needs from about 2400 families. The rests of the substrate are used on the land as a fertilizer after the fermentation. Two engineers from the installation firm BiogasTec gave us an explanation. Wednesday 21th of March 2012 Alco Bio Fuel, Pleitstraat 1, 9042 Gent Alco Bio Fuel is one of Belgium's major bio-ethanol plants. The biomass source is grain. It is a joint partnership between Alcogroup (the Brussels based ethanol production and trading company), Vanden Avenne Izegem, AVEVE and Wal.Agri (Belgium's largest grain receiving group). This exceptional collaboration, between shareholders of vast experience in all products related to the bio-ethanol production process, has resulted in an excellent bundling of competences necessary to the production of top-grade bioethanol.