The final BioPart partner’s meeting took place at Poznan University of Life Sciences in Poznań (Poland) in hybrid format, bringing together representatives from all partner organisations to summarise project achievements and discuss reporting duties, joint publication and different short-term objectives. This visit gathered representatives from all partner organizations physically in Poznań and online: Linköping University (Konrad Smolarczyk, Iryna Ablieieva, Karin Tonderski); Poznan University of Life Sciences (Prof. Jacek Dach, Assoc. Prof. Iryna Vaskina); Polish Biomethane Organization (Michal Tarka and Bartosz Moszowski); Bioenergy Association of Ukraine (Yurii Matveev) and Sumy State University (Assoc. Prof. Roman Vaskin). Colleagues from Poznan University of Life Sciences were happy to hosting Partners representatives and involved in the organiation of all activities and program during all two days.
On the first day on October 27, partners had a great opportunity to visit Ecotechnologies Laboratory at PULS – the biggest Polish biogas and composting laboratory. Partners got a huge experience in digestion systems and substrates that are used for bioreactors.
After the study visit partners participated in the project meeting aimed to discuss final reporting and short-term objectives related to optional target types. Fruitful discussion was dived into the optional target type “Idea and concept development” due to short-term objective “Discussion and developing concepts about further cooperation projects to continue the current project and implement some of the results concepts about further cooperation projects to continue the current project and implement some of the results”. Scientific projects or projects related to technology development close to private companies were chosen as potential ways for further cooperation. Different types of funding including EU and national calls were highlighted during the discussion of other optional target type “Funding overview”.
On the second day on October 28, study visits to two biogas plants in Poland were organized:
- Biogas Plant in Zawory (Wielkopolska region) – is an agricultural biogas installation with 1 MW capacity, utilizing mainly maize silage and manure. This unique installation is one of the most environmentally friendly farms in Europe producing own electricity and heat (RES) and fertilizers (digestate). Ventilation in livestock buildings is integrated with the cooling system thanks to the first and only Combined Chiller in Europe, which converts waste heat from the cogeneration process into cooling and, interestingly, back into electricity. At the same time, farrowing wards, where maintenance staff are present for relatively long periods, an automatic microclimate control system was installed, which also includes control of gases such as NH4, H2S, and CO2. Zawory biogas plant efficiently converts agricultural residues into renewable energy, supplying electricity and heat to local consumers, and using cold for vegetables storing and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Nowalijka Biogas Plant in Jarosty – is a modern facility (operation started 2025) with an installed capacity of approximately 1 MW, processing vegetable residues and other organic waste from food production (F.H. "NOWALIJKA" Piotr Wychowałek, one of the largest fruit and vegetable companies in Poland). This is the great example of business operations based on a circular economy principle, utilising locally available raw materials. As a benefit, the company uses its own bio-waste to produce biogas, thereby reducing energy consumption from conventional sources. By eliminating the storage of bio-waste, which is fed directly from the production line to the biogas plant, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The digestate obtained after the fermentation process applied as fertilizer for plants. It’s worth to note, that the Nowalijka biogas plant is situated directly in the residential area (village Jarosty) but no complaints from the population are received, since there are no unpleasant odours, noise, or other harmful factors. Poznań University of Life Sciences provides technological supervision the biogas plant and initiates further research into improving the technological processes.
This visit to partner organisations motivated to new ideas and projects to continue project partnership despite the finishing of this project.