COMPACT BIOGAS PLANT
Tuttwil, Switzerland

In idyllic Tuttwil, a municipality near Wängi in Switzerland, farmer Helfenberger has created a pioneering project with his small-scale biogas plant. This plant is not only an innovative addition to his turkey farm but also shows how farms can actively contribute to the energy transition.

From turkey farming to energy production

The creation of the biogas plant is closely linked to the construction of a large turkey barn on the Helfenberger family’s farm. As a result, the manure from turkey and cattle farming is no longer just seen as a waste product, but as a valuable resource for energy production.

The plant can produce enough electricity to supply up to 170 households. This represents a significant contribution to the local energy supply and shows how farms can play an active role in energy production.

Another key aspect is the use of waste heat from the combined heat and power plant (CHP). This waste heat is used efficiently to heat the mare barn, which houses up to 4000 animals. This concept of heat recovery underlines the principle of the circular economy and the farm’s efforts to make optimum use of resources.

In addition, the digestate produced during fermentation is used as high-quality organic fertilizer. This fertilizer, which comes from the farm itself, can either be used directly on the farm’s fields or sold to other farms. This closes the cycle of sustainable use of resources and represents a further ecological and economic advantage of the biogas plant.

A variety of input materials for maximum efficiency

In addition to the manure from the company’s own livestock, the plant also processes green waste from the surrounding communities. Even horse manure from neighboring stables could be used here to generate energy. The flexibility in the choice of biomass increases the potential of this biogas plant enormously and shows how diverse the possibilities of bioenergy production are.

Overall, the biogas plant in Tuttwil demonstrates how innovative approaches in agriculture can lead to sustainable energy production and efficient use of resources. It is an example of how agricultural businesses can contribute to the energy and circular economy and benefit economically at the same time. This plant is a role model for farms everywhere and a step towards a greener and more sustainable future.