The LIFE REPTES project “Renewable bio-hydrogen production technologies from lignocellulosic waste and sewage sludge co-fermentation” (GA 101074329) aims to reduce the massive emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and particulate matter resulting from the burning of rice straw, which affects the quality of life of nearby populations, through the implementation of a new circular model that integrates the production of biohydrogen from pre-treated lignocellulosic by-products and WWTP sludge through a dark fermentation process.
In the Albufera Natural Park (Spain), between 5 and 6 tonnes of straw are produced annually on each of the 14,700 cultivated hectares. The management of this bio-waste involves a high economic cost for farmers when techniques other than burning or burying are used. The Albufera park accounts for around 20% of rice straw at national level, Spain being the second largest rice-producing country in the EU.
The new circular model proposed by LIFE REPTES makes it possible to valorise rice straw, together with sewage sludge, using them for the production of renewable gaseous biofuels (biohydrogen and biogas) thanks to the application of a combination of technologies.
The project, developed within the framework of the European Union Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), has a duration of 5 years, from 1 August 2022 to 31 January 2026, and a total budget of 1,646,711.81 euros, with 60% co-financing from the European Commission.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE REPTES project has the overall objective of implementing the key plans and strategies to achieve a successful energy transition, facilitating and promoting the use of new sources of bioenergy – such as biohydrogen – in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The specific objectives are as follows:
- Demonstrate a new circular model that will integrate the production of biohydrogen from pre-treated lignocellulosic by-products and WWTP sludge through a dark fermentation process.
- Design, build and commission a demonstration plant at the Pinedo WWTP including 3 different modules: Rice straw pre-treatment module through bioextrusion of previously ensiled rice straw, Dark fermentation reactor and Pilot anaerobic digester module to demonstrate the enhancement of biogas generation by using the fermented steam as a co-substrate.
- Provide new solutions to the problem of removing rice straw from the fields based on a cost-effective and environmentally efficient process that can be transferred to the treatment of other lignocellulosic residues.
- Provide local authorities with new tools to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by increasing the generation and use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.
- Promote the use of green hydrogen in the agricultural sector, while fostering the sustainable management of bio-waste and the social acceptance of new circular models based on waste valorisation.
- Highlight the transferability of the LIFE REPTES project to other locations and/or sectors.
WORK PACKAGES
To achieve all the objectives planned during the execution of the project, the LIFE REPTES project work plan will be carried out in 6 Work Packages (WP).
WP 1 – Project coordination
Partners involved: All partners
WP 2 – Design, construction and commissioning of the demonstration plant at the WWTP
Partners involved: DAM, AINIA, GENIA
WP 3 -Implementation of the demonstration plant at Pinedo WWTP
Partners involved: DAM, AINIA, GENIA
WP 4 – Impact assessment
Partners involved: All partners
WP 5 -Business and exploitation plan
Partners involved: GENIA, DAM, AINIA
WP 6 – Public awareness and dissemination of results
Partners involved: CRIB, DAM, AINIA, GENIA
Dissemination/Transfer
