New technology for an efficient utilization of meadow grass in biogas reactor

Biomass from marginal areas, in particular grass from meadows and high lands, will represent a significant resource in the transition to green energy consumption. All through Europe these areas produces substantial amounts of biomass, however  the utilization is depending from efficient and cost effective harvesting methods and pretreatments which enhance degradability in order to improve gas yields.

The project propose an innovation merge of the development of smaller and more energy efficient harvesting technology comprising an integrated treatment which  excoriate, meaning skinning  or peeling of the cell sheet layers of the lignified and matured grass straw.

The combination of private enterprises and public universities will contribute to the development of a commercial competitive technology which is tested and with scientific documentation of increased gas potential of the grass.

Prototypes will be tested under field conditions to prove harvesting efficiency and map energy consumption through the value chain and further on manufacturing of demonstration machines to harvest grass from meadows. The impact from the excoriation process will be demonstrated in full scale biogas reactors.

The project validates product feasibility and clarifies the business economics, all providing valuable knowledge for marketing of the technology, through existing global market channels.