The main purpose of the project is to transform the existing low tech sludge treatment process at Kubratovo into a modern advanced treatment process matching the best sludge treatment practice available in Western Europe.
This transformation has a major effect on the environment through dramatically reducing the existing methane gas emissions at the plant while also reducing the volume of sludge (to as much as 50%) that needs to be transported, hence reducing GHG emissions from transportation as well (not included in GHG abatement calculations). The overall objective of the project is to provide an environmentally friendly sludge treatment process reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions that – under a business-as-usual scenario – would have continued.
Project impacts and benefits:
- 198 million kWh generated green energy
- 92 million m3 utilized biogas
- 1, 080 tons reduced emissions of CO2
- all primary and secondary sludge thickened and digested as per EU recommendations and guidelines;
- all biogas produced within the digestion process used for power and heat generation viaCHP gas engines thus reducing on-site electricity purchases from the national grid;
- reduction in on-site fossil fuel usage as all site-heating requirements will be met by theCHP gas engines;
- all sludge is stabilised and pathogen free.Long term strategic reductions of GHG emissions include:
- reduction in open release of CH4 from open anaerobic sludge tanks and drying beds;
- reduction in open release of CH4 from landfill disposal site;
- reduction in CO2 emissions due to replacement of electricity production from fossil fuels;
- reduction in CO2 emissions due to replacement of heat generation from fossil fuels.
