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Biogas plants
on perennial grasses

Grow energy instead of relying on gas. Biogas plants are an effective solution for stable profits.

Without a biogas plant:

  • Costs of feed procurement without profit.
  • Dependence on gas and electricity prices.
  • Underutilisation of land potential.
  • Mineral fertiliser costs.
  • Slow return on investment.

With it, you get:

  • Energy and fertilisers from green mass.
  • Own biogas production.
  • Rational use of space.
  • Organic fertiliser — digestate after fermentation.
  • Fast payback: even higher than on waste.

When should you contact us?

01

You have access to vacant agricultural land or forage areas.

02

Looking for a long-term strategy for energy independence.

03

You want to use biogas from green waste as an alternative to gas.

04

You want to combine feed cultivation with biogas production.

About raw materials

Perennial grasses are a promising raw material for biogas production. Their advantages include stable yields, availability, low cultivation costs and high energy value. For example, elephant grass or galega can produce up to 240 m³ of biogas per tonne of green mass.

Particularly effective are stations based on high-load reactors, which allow high dry matter density (14–18%) to be achieved and significantly reduce the volume of reactors compared to CSTR.

A biogas plant with an electrical capacity of 1 MW requires an average of 50 tonnes of grass per day. Considering the cost of grass at €2–3/tonne, this figure provides even better returns than in the case of plants using food waste or manure.

Advantages of biogas from perennial grasses:

  • No need for expensive silage trenches throughout the year.
  • Traditional agricultural land can be used.
  • Compatible with long-term crop rotation cycles.
  • Biomethane obtained from green mass complies with RED II.
Biogas plants on perennial grasses - photo — pro-energy.com.ua

Find out how a grass-based biogas plant can work on your field

Book a free consultation, and our managers will provide comprehensive information regarding your questions.

Financing options:

  1. Turnkey project implementation — from concept to commissioning.
  2. Consulting and submission of documents for investors and donor programmes.
  3. Selection of a financial model tailored to your capabilities and goals.
  4. Opportunity to enter into partnerships with foreign bioenergy funds.

Ways to recoup costs:

  • Sale of electricity.
  • Export of biomethane.
  • Substitution of natural gas.
  • Fertilisers for agriculture.

Biogas plants on perennial grasses

For projects involving miscanthus, switchgrass, triticale, reed and other perennial grasses, we recommend classic CSTR agricultural reactors with flexible covers and membrane gas holder roofs. This configuration is optimal for silage green mass with a dry matter content of 8–14% and above, ensuring uniform mixing and a stable fermentation process.

The specific biogas yield is 350–550 m³/t VS, and the methane yield is 180–320 m³ CH₄/t VS. Before feeding into the reactor, standard pre-treatment for silage is applied — grinding and homogenisation during harvesting and loading. The main storage method is silage; additional hygienisation or separation is not required.

The gas is purified of H₂S (adsorption on activated carbon), moisture (mandatory drying) and, if necessary, siloxanes. The hydrogen sulphide content is low, so a simple and reliable purification scheme is used. Next, either electricity generation (CHP) as a basic model for crops grown on conventional land, or upgrading to biomethane if grasses (Miscanthus, Switchgrass and other perennial crops) are grown on marginal/degraded land in accordance with the requirements of Annex IX RED III.

All nodes are integrated into SCADA and commercial accounting with control of raw material supply, fermentation parameters, biogas composition and volume, electricity, heat or biomethane production, and the energy balance of the enterprise.

Click on the image to enlarge
Your single partner for effective solutions

A systematic approach
from Pro-Energy

We provide a range of engineering and consulting services for project implementation. From concept to efficient operation of the plant using your raw materials and location.

More about the systematic approach

Our services:

Concept development and feasibility study
Project development and permits
Development of project documentation
Supply of technological equipment
Construction and installation
Start-up and commissioning works
Service maintenance

Biogas projects implemented

Generation of feed-in energy at an agricultural enterprise

Chernihiv region
The plant was put into operation: February 2022
More details
Biogas plants on perennial grasses - photo 1 — pro-energy.com.ua
Project completed

Biomethane plant with a capacity of 750 Nm3/h of raw biogas

Khmelnytskyi region
Year of implementation: December 2023
More details
Biogas plants on perennial grasses - photo 2 — pro-energy.com.ua
Project completed

Biomethane plant with a capacity of 600 Nm3/h of raw biogas

Ukraine, Chernihiv region
Commissioned: 2023
More details
Biogas plants on perennial grasses - photo 3 — pro-energy.com.ua
Project completed

Why choose Pro-Energy?

We are committed to long-term partnerships!

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Many years of experience

We have been successfully operating in the bioenergy sector since 2014. We have the knowledge, experience and understanding of the specifics of working in the Ukrainian market.

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Unique partnerships

We have reliable partners. Therefore, we can offer solutions that will allow each project to reach its full potential.

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Reliable technologies

We use technologies with 90% availability for stable operation of installations, which guarantees efficiency and return on investment.

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Stable work

We do not leave our customers alone after commissioning the facility. We provide 24/7 technical support and remain available under any circumstances.

Ready to discuss the implementation of your project?

Leave a request for a free consultation.





    Frequently asked questions

    Are perennial grasses suitable for biogas plants?

    Yes. Biogas plants using perennial grasses demonstrate high efficiency thanks to stable yields and cheap raw materials. This is a profitable alternative to corn or waste.

    What is the biogas yield from green mass?

    On average, 240 m³ of biogas per tonne of green grass when cut every 3–4 months. This is sufficient to produce 500–600 kWh of electricity.

    Does grass need to be ensiled for biogas?

    No. Due to the high moisture content of green mass, silage trenches are not needed for a year. Storage for 3-4 months is sufficient.

    How does biogas from grass differ from biogas from corn?

    Biogas from grass is not inferior in terms of energy capacity. Its advantages include lower raw material costs, lower capital expenditures for storage, and greater flexibility for farmers.

    What is the best technology for processing grass?

    We recommend using high-load reactors (HLR). They reduce the volume of bioreactors and increase the efficiency of biogas production.

    Is it possible to obtain certification for biomethane export?

    Yes. Our projects comply with the European RED II directive. This opens up the possibility of exporting biomethane to the EU market.

    Are mini biogas plants available for green mass?

    Yes, mini biogas plants with a capacity of up to 150 kW can run on chopped grass. This is the best option for small farms.

    What is the payback period for a biogas plant using perennial grasses?

    On average, 5–7 years. It all depends on the chosen sales model: electricity, heat, biomethane, fertilisers.