Workshop and study visit

From November 20th to 22nd, 2023, as part of the project “Green Transformation in Practice: Demonstrating and Disseminating the Benefits of Biogas Production from Bio-waste,” jointly implemented by the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute (IOŚ-PIB) and Vista Analyse, the workshop focusing on the management of bio-waste and the utilisation of biogas as a source of energy was organised. The workshop was combined with a study visit to a biogas plant operating at the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Tychy.

During the first day of the workshop, participants familiarised themselves with the issues of bio-waste management and biogas production from biomass and bio-waste. Invited experts gave presentations on national agricultural biogas production, barriers limiting the development of the biogas and biomethane market in Poland, and the benefits for local governments and farmers from investing in biogas and biomethane production. A representative of IOŚ-PIB gave a presentation on demonstrating the potential of biomass and bio-waste in cities and municipalities belonging to the Tomaszów Mazowiecki – Opoczno Functional Urban Area. A representative of the City Council in Tomaszów Mazowiecki presented the results of bio-waste collection and the challenges the City faces. A representative of Vista Analyse presented the scope of the pre-feasibility study, which is one of the planned outcomes of the project. The following discussion explored the possibilities of implementing biogas production solutions in the Tomaszów Mazowiecki – Opoczno Functional Urban Area.

On the second day, a study visit took place, during which participants visited the biogas plant at the Tychy wastewater treatment plant, which has been operating for years. Zbigniew Gieleciak, the President of the Management Board of the Regional Water and Sewage Management Center, talked about the innovative solutions implemented during the expansion of the installation and shared the plans for future research and investments. The presented biogas plant is a model example of using sewage sludge and biodegradable waste to produce green energy and cogeneration.

On the final day, representatives of IOŚ-PIB and Vista Analyse, at a meeting held at the IOŚ-PIB premises, summarised the project’s results and discussed the schedule for further work.

Presentations from the meeting:

• Green transition in practice: Demonstrating and disseminating the benefits of producing biogas from bio waste
• Domestic production of agricultural biogas
• The role of biogas and biomethane plants in bio-waste management in Poland – barriers to the development of the sector
• The potential of biomass and bio-waste production, the problem of recovery and recycling of bio waste in municipalities
• Let’s take care of the environment – separate collection of biodegradable waste_Tomaszów Mazowiecki
• Scope of the pre-feasibility study