Together with his brother, he runs Kvarngården, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. The biogas that will become vehicle fuel is sold to their own company, Vessige Biogas, through a raw gas pipeline. From there it is sold directly via the Swedish transmission network to the energy company ST1. It is also distributed through their own public filling station. The station is used by around one hundred customers, mainly transport companies and operators of heavier vehicles.
Lars Paulsson at Vessige Biogas was the first person in Sweden to purchase a tractor powered by biogas.
"Some passing larger vehicles and private cars also refuel here, although most of them are our regular customers", says Lars Paulsson.
Gas powered tractor
Kvarngården was the first in Sweden to buy a gas powered tractor. Today there are three tractors on the farm, one heavy lorry, four VW Caddy vans and several private cars. All run on biogas. The tractors are not the largest models available, although they are sufficient for much of the daily work.
"We have been able to replace fifty to sixty cubic metres of diesel per year with biogas. It has also inspired others in the local area to invest in a gas powered tractor", says Lars Paulsson.
The raw material for the biogas is mainly manure from the cattle. The manure contains a lot of water which makes it possible to feed in a large amount of dry material. Two gas engines produce electricity and the heat generated during production is used to maintain the temperature of the biogas process and to cover other heating needs on the farm.
Batteries
"The electricity is used on the farm and in the biogas plant, and any surplus is supplied to the grid. We also have batteries that we want to use in order to reduce peak loads when consumption is at its highest", explains Lars Paulsson.
After the process, the digestate is passed through a heat exchanger to lower the temperature, which stops methane production and allows the heat to be recovered. The fibre is then separated from the digestate. This is heat treated and turned into bedding material and soil improver.
The driving force behind the investment is clear. It is a strong sense of entrepreneurship combined with a desire to make a difference. "Partly because it is possible and partly because it is enjoyable to produce something that goes straight into our own operation. It is also about the environment and being self sufficient. We do not need to be completely dependent on fossil fuels", says Lars Paulsson.
