Weltec and Aquatec Maxcon to build Australia’s first AD plant

Weltec Biopower, a German bioenergy producer, and Aquatec Maxcon are building a 1MW anaerobic digestion (AD) biogas plant in Melbourne, Australia.

Construction of the plant, first of its kind in Australia, began in October and will be finished by the end of 2016.

The plant was ordered by water supply and sewage services company Yarra Valley Water, which with the construction is set to become energy self-sufficient at the location.

And surplus electricity will be fed into the national grid.

The facility will include two stainless steel digesters, which will process 100 tonnes of organic waste a day, more than half of which will be sourced from cafeterias and restaurants.

The remaining feedstock will consist of fats and oil, brewery and dairy leftovers, fruit and vegetable waste, and sludge pumped form an adjacent wastewater treatment plant.

Weltec says Australia, where a debate about future energy mix and nature conservation is undergoing, is expected to see increased investment in AD projects.