Base de données des projets PDR

This project was about renovating a “biogas factory” in the municipality of Valli Aurine in South Tirol as a mean to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farms, reduce the energy cost and create new income resource for the local dairy farmers.

The municipality of Valli Aurine runs several public buildings and services which need a large amount of heating and electricity. At the same time, dairy farmers in the municipality cause environmental problems, but can provide ample supply of liquid manure - the perfect case for producing sustainable energy, which benefits the environment, reduces energy costs and generates income for farmers. A biogas plant was set up in 2003, but until recently the economic output was not satisfying.

The main objectives of the project were to produce sustainable energy and reduce its costs, to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming, and to create alternative sources of income for local farmers.

The objective was operationalised as a plan for improving the working of the biogas plant, specifically the collection, transformation and distribution of the liquid manure from dairy farms. To achieve this, the main activities undertaken were : 1) to renovate the pipelines, the pump stations, the gas filter, the generator and the sampling, and 2) to build new distribution pipelines.

The main results of the project were: i) improved technical and economic performance, achieving 17% (maximum) investment returns; ii) use of biological waste (liquid manure) for green and renewable energy production; iii) reduction in CO2 emissions; iv) additional income for farmers; v) lower energy costs for the municipality; vi) improved relations among farmers and between the farmers’ cooperative and the municipality.

Cooperation actions at local level aiming to increase the quantity of produced bio-energy can be beneficial for the whole community, but they need to take carefully into account the production as well as the distribution phase, to avoid conflict and possible economic losses. For this reason the terms of distribution (quantity, price, procedures, etc.) of the energy produced have to be clear and agreed by contract with a distribution company.

South Tyrol – Municipality of Valli Aurine, Bolzano province

Bolzano

Bolzano

625 000

222 500

277 500

125 000

Helmuth Innerbichler

Helmut.pinggera@leader-tat.com

German, Italian