Converting manure into biogas: BASgas receives Oost NL and Eneco funding
Eneco and Oost NL fund BASgas to produce green gas from manure, enhancing sustainable energy use in the Netherlands.
Published on December 12, 2024
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BASgas, a Dutch startup converting manure into green gas, has secured investment from energy company Eneco and development agency Oost NL, facilitating its goal to scale up to 50 installations on farms by December 2024. This financial backing will enable BASgas to establish a logistics system for transporting the produced green gas to the gas network, focusing on farms with at least 100 dairy cows. The initiative promises to address the pressing issue of manure surplus while supporting sustainability in the dairy sector.
BASgas has developed an approach to biogas production targeting smaller dairy farms. The technology converts manure into biogas through fermentation, which is then upgraded to green gas with the same composition as natural gas. This innovation is particularly significant as it makes biogas production financially viable for farms with as few as 100 dairy cows, addressing a critical gap in the market where standalone green gas production was previously only feasible for larger operations with over 400 cows.
The funding- whose sum hasn't been disclosed-provided through Oost NL's Innovation and Energy Fund Gelderland and Eneco Ventures, will support BASgas's ambitious plan to implement 50 installations across various farms. This expansion aligns with Eneco's environmental commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.
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Addressing multiple challenges
The initiative tackles several pressing issues in the Dutch agricultural sector. As Rick Mintjes, investment manager of Energy at Oost NL, explains: "BASgas links a technological solution to an urgent social problem while offering prospects for farmers." The dairy sector currently faces increasing challenges with manure surplus, where traditional disposal methods are becoming prohibitively expensive and result in nutrient loss. BASgas's solution not only addresses these environmental concerns but also creates a new revenue stream for farmers, contributing to the sustainability of family farms.
Currently, the Netherlands is producing less than 20% of its 2030 green gas production targets. The government's implementation of a green gas blending obligation underscores the urgency of scaling up production. BASgas's innovative approach to small-scale biogas production could be crucial in meeting these national objectives, particularly since approximately 80% of the available manure volume comes from cattle.