From Problem to Export Success

Agriculture is Prominent in Vesthimmerland – and It Should Remain So in a Future with Reduced CO2 Emissions. Agriculture plays a significant role in Vesthimmerland, and it will continue to do so even in a future focused on reducing CO2 emissions. In the CCUS Minifyrtårn Vesthimmerland project, a green public-private partnership is testing the potential of pyrolyzing agricultural biomass to sequester CO2 in the soil. This method shows promise, and the solution could even become an exportable commodity.

Vesthimmerland is a region steeped in agriculture, with many pork chops and milk cartons tracing their origins to the soil near the Limfjord. This also means a significant portion of agricultural CO2 emissions arise from Northern Jutland. In Vesthimmerland alone, agriculture accounts for 74 percent of the municipality’s total CO2 emissions.

This issue is being addressed by the ‘CO2Vision’ project, a Northern Jutland beacon project aimed at developing a new industrial sector focused on CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

The Northern Jutland beacon project will establish eight test and demonstration sites, one of which is located in Vesthimmerland. The project, managed by Vesthimmerlands Biogas (BioCirc), Lundsby Biogas, and Vesthimmerlands Municipality, aims to set up a test pyrolysis plant where agricultural biomass is separated and pyrolyzed into biochar. Biochar sequesters CO2, preventing it from contributing to climate change, and also enhances soil quality when spread on farmers’ fields.

Testing Separation Technologies

The challenge lies in the fact that a biogas plant processes livestock manure and other waste products, which are often over 90 percent water. As a result, nearly as much liquid comes out as goes in, with only 15 to 25 percent converted into gas.

“The ideal scenario is to treat the digestate (the material exiting the biogas plant) to produce clean water and upgraded nutrients in the form of nitrate, phosphorus, and potassium. The clean water can, for example, be used for electrolysis, which is a necessary part of Power-to-X (PtX),” says Karsten Hjorth, CSO of Lundsby Biogas, a project partner.

The Vesthimmerland test site in the CO2Vision project is investigating which separation technologies are needed to obtain 100 percent clean water and a residual fraction suitable for pyrolysis.

“We are working on a solution where, for example, half of the water is returned to the farmer and spread on the fields to provide necessary nutrients,” says Karsten Hjorth.

“We aim to purify dirty water and produce a dry residual product that is good fertilizer. This is of interest in places like France, which currently pays 8-12 € per ton. It’s a good business case for something we previously spent money and CO2 transporting,” he says.

Strong Partnership

The initiative is also well-received at the mayor’s office, which recognizes the challenge posed by agriculture’s share of municipal emissions:

“Agriculture is a significant part of the DNA of the local community and industry in Vesthimmerland. It is therefore an absolutely essential resource – both now and in the future,” says Per Bach Laursen, Mayor of Vesthimmerlands Municipality.

“If integrating pyrolysis technology into the equation can reduce agriculture’s climate impact, making it a key player in the green transition, it’s a great example of a green public-private partnership driving innovation,” he says.

The project is facilitated by Energy Cluster Denmark, where Project Manager Maria Kristiansen sees great potential, especially in a region like Northern Jutland:

“In a region with a lot of agriculture, an innovation project like this in Vesthimmerland is highly relevant. Not only can the project and its successful results be scaled up, but there is also a foundation for significant knowledge sharing across the partnership and beyond,” she explains.

FACTS:

CO2Vision is a joint industrial beacon project that bridges Northern Jutland municipalities within CCUS. The beacon is supported by the Danish Business Promotion Board and the EU’s Regional and Social Fund with 92.4 million DKK and is managed by a consortium consisting of Energy Cluster Denmark, Green Hub Denmark, Business Region North, Aalborg University, EVIDA, UCN, North Denmark EU Office, Aalborg Portland, and the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment.