Fuelled by organic waste - HVC Groep

Together with ROVA, a sister organization based in Zwolle, we plan to build a fermenting plant for organic waste on the Hessenpoort industrial estate in Zwolle. Fermentation is a technology for converting organic waste into “green” transport fuel and compost. The plant will be producing 3 million cubic metres of biogas and 12,000 tonnes of compost each year.

The biogas can be used as transport fuel and will mean a saving of approximately 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. If the necessary building and environmental permits have been obtained, construction will start towards the end of 2008. The plant will be taken into operation mid-2009. 

Unique project
Construction of the fermenting plant is an important part of the “Fuelled by organic waste” project. The Supervisory Boards of HVC in Alkmaar and ROVA in Zwolle recently gave the go-ahead for the project. “Fuelled by organic waste” is a unique project for the Netherlands, because organic waste is converted not only into compost but also into biogas, which can be used as transport fuel. 

Fuel, electricity and heat
The aim of the project is to build a plant in Zwolle that is capable of fermenting 30,000 tonnes of organic waste each year to produce 3 million cubic metres of biogas. The gas will partly be used as fuel for vehicles and partly converted into electricity and heat for our own use. After fermentation the residue will be made into high-quality compost. 

Fermenters
ROVA is preparing part of its vehicle fleet to use the new fuel. Other companies will soon also be able to run their vehicles on organic waste by filling up with biogas at the Salland Oil filling station on the Hessenpoort industrial estate. We are examining the possibility of locating a few fermenters in our catchment area. 

Carbon dioxide saving
The project produces a sustainable life-cycle. This means that the vehicles that collect the organic waste will be operating on biogas extracted from the same material. Using the biogas as a transport fuel means an annual saving of approximately 4,500 tonnes of carbide dioxide, equivalent to the emissions from approximately 1300 private vehicles. 

Partners
“Fuelled by organic waste” is particularly important because the partners are major players in their particular fields: 
HVC is a public service waste company that is committed to providing innovative and environmentally responsible waste management services in an area consisting of North Holland, Flevoland and Dordrecht. Depending on the type of waste, it seeks the most suitable form of processing. 
The province of Overijssel pursues active energy and climate policies and has formulated powerful environmental aims for the coming years. It is a driving force for the project and makes every effort to increase support and acceptance for it. 
As an organization providing advisory and disposal services to 90 municipalities, ROVA’s aim is to achieve sustainable waste disposal. It supplies the organic waste for the trial and has provided the location. 
By participating in this project, Salland Oil aims to contribute to the sale of sustainable engine fuels. It has therefore provided a filling station for biogas in Zwolle.