Amid the unrelenting load shedding in South Africa, the debate about the future of energy continues. As the crisis reached national disaster proportions last year, it became clear that the light at the end of the tunnel should be powered by renewables. In this effort, biogas technologies shine as not only a green, but also an easy-to-implement alternative to coal and oil. We discussed the features and prospects of switching to manure-based energy with Andrey Belousenko, Director of Business Development at R Schmitt Enertec GmbH, a world-renowned manufacturer of gas engines, generator sets, and cogeneration units from Germany.

– Let’s go through the basics: what is biogas, how is it produced, and why is it more beneficial than natural gas?

– I’ll tell you more. In some ways, it’s even more beneficial than solar and wind. It is a 100% eco-friendly fuel produced by the natural fermentation of biomass. It is a case of taking something completely useless and turning it into vital necessities – electricity and heat. Biogas can be produced from crop residues, manure and sewage, food production waste, and even our breakfast leftovers.

We once supplied combined heat and power (CHP) units to the city of Lünen, Germany, and now all 90,000 residents can use electricity and heat produced from cow and horse manure and other organic materials from local farms.

– Do you have other biogas projects?

– We’ve delivered about 20 biogas-powered generators and cogeneration units to customers in 10 countries. That’s just for biogas. In total, Enertec’s reach is much wider – about 40 countries. We’ve been in the market for a long time and what sets us apart from competitors is our flexibility. The same products can run on almost any type of gas: biogas, LPG, syngas, flare gas, and of course, natural gas. So, if a customer buys our CHP for natural gas, they’re not limited. They can always switch to biogas later (laughs).

– We were talking about how to make it. What happens with the collected waste?

– It’s crushed, mixed with water, and sent to a special facility without oxygen, where it is left to bacteria. As they process the organic material, they release methane and carbon dioxide – a ready fuel that just needs to be collected and delivered to consumers.

– But you have to clean the gas first, don’t you?

– That depends on the generator. Our units can handle impurities and work efficiently on gas with a high methane content. This means that biogas doesn’t need to be purified to the level of natural gas. This simplifies and reduces the cost of production, making it accessible and attractive. For South Africa, this is exactly the technology that can help overcome the current crisis.

Biogas plants produce energy continuously, providing homes, businesses, schools and hospitals with a renewable and reliable alternative that is not subject to international logistics challenges and gas price fluctuations. Unlike solar panels and wind turbines, biogas plants can operate 24 hours a day in any weather.

What’s more, biogas production produces digestate, a useful byproduct that can be used as fertilizer in agriculture. So, in addition to clean energy, you get an efficient waste management system. This reduces methane emissions and significantly lowers the carbon footprint.

– Given that South Africa is one of the world’s top 15 emitters of carbon dioxide, this is a powerful argument.

– And the potential is huge! According to a study by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the potential for biogas in the agricultural sector in South Africa is estimated at 2,500 megawatts of electricity. The study also found that there is potential for the development of approximately 8,000 biogas digesters in the livestock sector alone, which could generate significant amounts of electricity and organic fertilizer.

It is important to note that the agricultural sector is not the only source of organic waste that can be used to produce biogas. The waste sector in South Africa also produces significant amounts of organic waste, such as food waste and sewage sludge, that can be used for this purpose. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) estimates that the potential for biogas from the waste sector in South Africa is approximately 1,500 megawatts of electricity. In total, this is equivalent to the output of two nuclear power plants.

– Local support is key for reliability and after-sales support on gensets

– In South Africa, Enertec has partnered with local supplier Energas Technologies who has over 23 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry as an equipment supplier.  The Energas maintenance team is trained to service and support the Enertec engines that are operational at a few sites in Gauteng area. 

In sum, it’s a practical solution that can make a difference, starting with something as simple as manure.

About Enertec

R Schmitt Enertec GmbH, a globally renowned gas engine manufacturer from Germany, provides cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions to customers in over 40 countries. The Enertec portfolio exclusively comprises eco-friendly products: gas engines, generator sets, and cogenerators (115 kW – 500 kW unit power), adaptable to various gases, including Natural, Biogas, LPG, Syngas, and Flare.

About Energas Technologies:

Energas Technologies’ core focus is to supply engineered gas-to-power and renewable energy solutions to the South African industry since 2001.  Our products and services find application from the gas well, through the distribution and reticulation network up to the end user.