Maximising biogas production with cutting-edge technologies for greater resource availability and digital tools for increased efficiencies
Maximising biogas production with cutting-edge technologies for greater resource availability and digital tools for increased efficiencies
Climate change and environmental degradation, as well as the European Union´s (EU) dependence on energy imports from non-EU countries, pose a major challenge for the EU. Therefore, it is essential to seek more sustainable and Europe-based alternative energy sources. To address this challenge, the LIFE MERLIN project (Maximising biogas production with cutting-Edge technologies for greater Resource availability and DigitaL tools for Increased efficiencies) has been launched. This project will develop an innovative and efficient solution to boost biogas production from wastewater treatment plant residues.
The LIFE MERLIN solution, which will be implemented in pilot sites place at the wastewater treatment plants of Monte Orgegia (Alicante) and Murcia Este (Murcia), will combine the pretreatment of sludge from urban wastewater with an anaerobic co-digestion process—i.e., a digestion process involving two or more raw materials—of waste from food companies to generate biogas. The produced biogas will then serve as an energy source for the operation of the treatment plants themselves.
This way, the LIFE MERLIN technology will promote the circular economy while minimising the use of fossil energy sources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making use of waste. Additionally, this technology will help decrease energy imports from non-EU countries.
LIFE MERLIN will significantly contribute to achieving the objectives set by the European Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU), which establishes that 42.5% of the energy produced in Europe must be renewable by 2030.
LIFE MERLIN is a European project co-funded by the LIFE Programme (LIFE23-CCM- ES-LIFE MERLIN 101158094), the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating, and development of EU policy and legislation on environment and climate through the co-financing of projects with European added value. The opinions and views expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission or CINEA. Neither the European Commission nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
