With the Bioenergy project, IRTA is promoting a pilot plant to demonstrate how biogas can contribute to the sustainability and energy self-sufficiency of livestock farms

Biogas is a renewable energy source with great potential to move towards more sustainable and efficient livestock farming. At IRTA, we are demonstrating this through the Bioenergy project, which we are developing at the EVAM experimental farm (Monells, Baix Empordà). The goal is to build and operate a small-scale biogas plant (capacity <10,000 t/year) to cover part of the farm’s own energy needs through self-consumption. The plant will use livestock manure generated on the farm itself to produce biogas, which will be used to generate heat via a boiler. Moreover, the resulting by-product of the process — the digestate — can be used as a fertiliser, thus contributing to a more circular management of nutrients. At the same time, the project also includes monitoring of environmental parameters to assess emission reductions and the benefits associated with the applied biogas model.

An opportunity to transform the energy management of farms

This project aims to serve as a demonstration model for the sector, showing how anaerobic digestion can help farms reduce their energy dependence while making better use of their resources. In contexts where energy is an increasing cost and greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced, initiatives like this open the door to a more sustainable and self-sufficient model.

What is biogas and how does it contribute to sustainability?

Biogas is obtained through a biological process that transforms organic matter — such as slurry or other organic waste — into a gas mixture rich in methane and digestate. This gas can be used as fuel to generate energy or heat on the farm itself.

This process, known as anaerobic digestion, has several benefits:

• It adds value to livestock waste by transforming it into energy and fertiliser.
• It reduces emissions associated with manure management and the use of fossil fuels.
• It improves the energy efficiency and resilience of farms.
• It contributes to the transition towards a more circular and climate-responsible agri-food model.

IRTA’s Commitment to the Circular Bioeconomy

With the Bioenergy project, IRTA strengthens its commitment to applied research and knowledge transfer in the service of sustainability. The biogas plant in Monells is a practical example of what biogas can offer to the livestock sector: a tool that, beyond generating energy, contributes to the environmental, economic, and social resilience of the territory.

This project is part of IRTA’s work lines to promote a circular bioeconomy and accelerate the energy transition of the Catalan agri-food sector.