Weltec starts construction of second biogas plant in South Korea

German manufacturing group Weltec Biopower has started construction of its second anaerobic digestion plant in South Korea.

Located around 80km north of Seoul, in Gyeonggi-do province, the new 450kW biogas plant is expected to be operational in the early summer next year.

The new plant, which will feature modern technology with smart control, will be custom-built to meet the region’s special needs and country’s ecological goals.

The company will invest and operate the new biogas plant, which will complement its existing biogas plant built in 2012.

The plant will have a capacity to process and convert almost 100t of organic waste a day, of which 70% are pig manure, into biogas and fertiliser.

The produced fertiliser will be stored in two stainless-steel digestate storage units each with a capacity of 5,590m³ while the biogas will be used to operate a combined heat and power plant.

Over the last few years, South Korea has been focusing on investing in energy sector, especially renewable energy sectors.

Major reason behind investing in renewable energy is to make the country less dependent on external sources of power.

South Korea, which has 51m population, is the 10 largest power consumers in the world. But, because of not having enough fossil resources, the country has to import 97% of its traditional energy sources.

Weltec Biopower project manager Harro Brons said: "The sustainable waste disposal concept and the efficient processing of the input substances into high-nutrient fertiliser were decisive factors."

He also added: "For this project, we programmed the control in Korean."

The biogas to be produced at the plant will be used for a combined heat and power plant, which has capacity to produce 450KW electricity. The power grid will directly consume the power and the company buildings and for internal processes will use the heat.

---

Image: Weltec starts construction of second biogas plant in South Korea. Photo: courtsey of Weltec Biopower GmbH