NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Algar increases energy production

At the end of October 2016, Algar increased its capacity to produce electricity from the extraction of biogas. The new electro production centre, located in the Alfarrobeira Environmental Park, located in the municipality of São Brás de Alportel, is part of the infrastructure of the Algarve's Organic Valuation Centre (CVO).

It is in this unit that biogas is produced from the decomposition of organic waste. In October 2016, biogas production in the CVO was around 74,000 Nm3 (with a methane content of 65%, and 197 MWh of electricity was injected into the grid). At this early stage only 1 of the 2 motor generators (400 kW each) is in operation, and is expected to be fully operational by 2017.

It is estimated that the production of biogas and energy, is around 450 MWh / month, equivalent to the energy needs of 5,150 inhabitants.

Algar has two other power generation centres dedicated to the exploitation of biogas produced in landfills located in Portimão and Loulé.

The CVO began its activity in 2014, with the start of the mechanical treatment stage, and later developed the phased start of the biological treatment, composting and anaerobic digestion, in May and December 2015, respectively.

It is an installation equipped with modern and technical solutions that contribute to the treatment and recovery of biodegradable municipal waste. The treatment process is carried out through a wet and mesophilic anaerobic process (absence of oxygen) digestion, with post-composting of the digested mud, and the final result will be compost, which will be used as agricultural fertilizer.

Currently, it processes approximately 3,500 tons of waste per month, of which 3,000 are Urban Waste from the undifferentiated collection, mainly from the municipalities of São Brás de Alportel, Tavira, Faro, Loulé and Olhão, complemented by 500 tons / month of Organic matter from the Mechanical Treatment of Portimão.