Biogasinstallatie | Van Asten Group

Biogas

At several locations we have a biogas installation. The biogas is produced from manure in combination with grains, corn and residual products from, for example, the food industry. The manure from our pigs and the other products are brought together in a special tank, which we call the 'digester'. Gas is released during this fermentation process. This gas is then converted into heat and electricity, which we use again within our company. Our pigs therefore produce their own heat and electricity. The surplus electricity we produce is supplied back to the energy supplier.

The remaining product after the fermentation process is called digestate. The fermentation ensures that the digestate contains significantly less CO2 and methane. Digestate has the advantage that it smells less and it is a more homogeneous product which can be better absorbed by the crops in the field.

Green gas

From 2024 we will convert biogas to green gas. The gas is supplied back to the natural gas network and is available to citizens and businesses. In this way we make another great contribution to the circular economy. With the production of 4.5 million m3 of green gas, we are no longer only energy neutral but even net energy supplying, both in the field of electricity and gas.

WKO (heat-cold storage)

WKO, which stands for heat and cold storage, is a way to store energy in the form of geothermal heat or cold. We use this technology to regulate the temperature in our stables, both heating and cooling, so that it is always comfortable for our pigs. This system creates a stable indoor climate for pigs and therefore has a positive influence on the well-being and health of our animals. This allows us to work more energy efficient and replace the use of natural gas.

Solar panels

At the Van Asten Group we make smart use of our large roof areas to generate solar energy with use of approximately 20,000 solar panels in Germany and the Netherlands. These solar panels provide electricity for our own companies and we also supply an additional 10 megawatts back to the national grid.

In 2024 we have installed a battery at our location in Sterksel with which we can store 1 megawatt of energy that we can then use at times when no energy is being generated. In this way we contribute to a more sustainable future for everyone.