LIFE PROGRAM
LIFE PROGRAM
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The Environment and Climate Action Program (LIFE) is the financial instrument of the European Union dedicated to the environment for the period 2014-2020. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed more than 4.500 projects. For the 2014-2020 financing period, LIFE will contribute approximately 3.4 billion euros to the protection of the environment and the climate.
A total of 823 projects have been funded in Spain, in all periods, with a total investment of the European Union of 663M €. These projects represent a total investment of 1.412 million euros, of which 663 million come from the European Union.
Its overall objective is based on catalyzing changes in the development and application of policies by providing solutions and best practices to achieve environmental and climate objectives, as well as by promoting innovative technologies in the field of environment and climate change . It must also support the implementation of the General Environment Program of the Union until 2020 “Living well, respecting the limits of our planet.”
The LIFE Program is divided into two subprograms with three priority areas each. In the 2017 call for proposals, Spain has 35 approved projects with 114 proposals submitted.
COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO OBTAIN BIOMETHANE AND ITS USE AS FUEL IN VEHICLES
Biomethane is a clean fuel obtained from biogas. Biogas is produced by the process of anaerobic digestion of organic matter such us organic waste, manure, sewage, agricultural waste, etc.
The biogas generated is subjected to a purification process, and is transformed into biomethane used as fuel in vehicles neutralizing CO2 emissions and reducing practically all the emissions that affect the air quality.
The process consists in capturing the emissions produced during the decomposition oforganic matter, and that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.
The problem
In The European Union there are more than half a million landfills that will only accommodate 10% of municipal waste from 2035.
The solution
The development of projects to obtain biomethane from waste is an opportunity to boost the circular economy and transform waste into a resource that collaterally will reduce road transport emissions.
THE PROJECT
THE PROJECT
The European Commission has approved the development of the Life Landfill Biofuel project with a global budget of 4.67 million euros, of which it finances 55%, which will transform landfill biogas into biomethane.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the technical performance of a cost-effective solution for obtaining landfill biomethane for use in transport. The project will be developed in Granada.
The obtained biomethane, around 1,584,000 m³/year, will be used as fuel in a waste transport IVECO truck and a light vehicle, property of FCC- and several passenger cars. The Project will last four years and, once this period ends, it will be replicated in other FCC landfills in Europe.
The Life Landfill Biofuel Project will be a demonstration of how renewable gas (or biomethane) generated from waste can be the solution for two of the main problems currently existing in the European Union: transport decarbonization and improvement of air quality.
The obtained biomethane will be used in a waste collection IVECO truck -property of FCC -and in a van. The Project will last four years and, once this period is over, it will be replicated in other FCC landfills in Europe.
EXPECTED RESULTS
EXPECTED RESULTS
Reduction of air pollutants: Pilot plant (3 L.V,1 H.V):
96.7% of biomethane (98.25 less CO2 tons)
99.9% of NOx (501.06 kg)
99.4% of VOCs (186.97 kg)
99% of PMO (102.09 kg)
99.8% of SO2 (197.02 kg)
First preindustrial scale demonstration of an innovative cost-effective solution for biogas upgrading extracted from landfills allowing valorisation of 200 m³/h of biomethane as fuel for NGV or grid injection
Three years after the project (2 replicas of 800 m³/h biomethane each & one extension of pilot plant, 800 m³/h):
96.7% of biomethane (40,487 less CO2 tons)
99.9% of NOx (171,531.0 kg)
99.4% of VOCs (63,677.4 kg)
99% of PMO (38,544.3 kg)
99.8% of SO2 (77,155.0 kg)
Decrease of environmental impact of road transport providing an alternative fuel for Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) that will reduce CO2 emissions by 14.7% (20.7 kg/100km) heavy-duty and 15.4% (2.1 kg/100km) light weight vehicles compared to diesel.
Definition of new exploitation protocols of the biogas wells to improve efficiency (7%) and quality (96.7% enriched CH4) of biogas recovered from landfills. This exploitation model of landfills will be transferred to other regions to be implemented in other landfills promoting valorisation of biomethane as fuel for vehicles.
Definition of a new business model for managing companies of landfills based on commercialization of biomethane as fuel for vehicles through the analysis and removal of the technological and financial existing barriers to these investments and through intensive collaboration with stakeholders.
Identification of at least 7 landfills for a short-term replica of the solution and elaboration of a detailed Replication Plan in order to enable at least 2 replicas of all the solution during the 3 years after the end of the project. FCC operates waste landfills throughout Europe and have already identified some potential landfills in Spain, Austria, Hungary, Polonia, Rumania, Slovakia, Serbia and UK where the solution can be replicated. These entities will provide technical assessment to the consortium to guarantee that the replication plan considers the characteristics of other EU landfills.
Creation of 5 full time (FCC) and 8 part-time jobs (7 FCC and 1 UGR) during the demonstration, increasing this figure to 15 full time, 24 part-time, 6 direct jobs & 15 indirect jobs (during the 3 years after the project) and the biogas upgrading pilot plant operates at full capacity.
Analysis of advantages & environmental & socio-economic benefits of the new biogas upgrading integrated solution.
about the consortium
about the consortium
Life Landfill Biofuel has a consortium of six companies from Spain and Portugal.
FCC leads the Project. CARTIF Foundation and SYSADVANCE participate as technology and service providers. GASNAM, Iberian association of natural and renewable gas for mobility, and the UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA is responsable for the market knowledge and the project promotion. IVECO participates as vehicle manufacturer.
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