Equimeth Project : Future Biomethane Production Facility in Seine-et-Marne
On June 22, the CapMétha77 charter was signed by the Department and Prefecture of Seine-et-Marne, the Île-de-France Region, the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, the Union of Mayors and Public Establishments for Intermunicipal Cooperation (EPCI) of Seine-et-Marne, the Seine-et-Marne Departmental Energy Association, GRDF, and GRTGAZ, to promote the development of anaerobic digestion in the department.
AMBITIOUS GOALS :
The signatories of the CapMétha77 Charter share the common ambition of developing the anaerobic digestion sector in the Seine-et-Marne region and have set the following objectives :
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
- Increase local production of renewable energy for residential use and carbon-free mobility using Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV),
- Implement organic waste treatment,
- Diversify economic activities, including those related to agriculture.
To achieve these objectives, expanding anaerobic digestion in the region is essential. Biogas production via anaerobic digestion is indeed a key asset for the energy and ecological transition of Seine-et-Marne, one of France’s most dynamic departments in terms of feed-in anaerobic digestion and the leading department in the Île-de-France region : 12 on-farm anaerobic digestion units are in operation, and approximately 60 projects are at various stages of development.
The Equimeth project
Among these, the Equimeth project in Moret-sur-Loing and Orvanne, developed by Cap Vert Energie and SEM Ile-de-France Energies, which holds a 15 % stake in the project. The Seine-et-Marne-based Elcimaï group, through its subsidiary Elcimaï Environnement—a leader in the energy transition sector—was selected to carry out the construction. “The completion of this infrastructure is a significant step toward the region’s energy self-sufficiency and contributes to the goals set by the Île-de-France Region,” explains Charles Deschamps, Head of Biogas Center-North at Cap Vert Energie, the project owner.
Elcimaï Environnement has been tasked with project management for the design of the peripheral lots (excluding the process lot), as well as full project management for construction, including the anaerobic digestion and gas purification processes (12 lots).
The inputs for anaerobic digestion will include agricultural waste, fats, bio-waste slurry, and agro-industrial byproducts. These organic materials originate from a variety of sources : restaurants, equestrian centers, and the agri-food industry.
The biomethane produced will supply the municipalities of Moret-sur-Loing and Orvanne, Saint-Mammès, Thomery, Champagne-sur-Seine, Avon, and Fontainebleau, covering 15 % of the gas consumption of residents in these municipalities. Equimeth is also introducing a new, high-performance supply chain for organic inputs and fertilizers for partner farmers.
“Through this project with high environmental value, the Elcimaï Group, a key player in the Seine-et-Marne economy, is contributing its expertise to the proactive policy of developing anaerobic digestion undertaken by the Department,”
says Jean-Pierre Fradin, President of Elcimaï Ingénierie
Construction of the future anaerobic digestion and biomethane production facility began in May 2020. The process units are scheduled for delivery in December 2021. The injection of biomethane into the grid is scheduled to begin in June 2021.
THE PROJECT IN FIGURES :
- Developed area : 23,000 m²
- Earthwork : 20,000 m³
- 1 digester and 1 post-digester, each with a capacity of 4,250 m³
- 1 liquid digestate storage tank of 7,260 m³
- 1 preparation and storage building : 800 m²
- Inputs : 26,000 tons/year
- Liquid digestate : 9,000 tons/year
- Solid digestate : 11,000 tons/year (agricultural application)
- Biomethane production : 285 Nm³/h
- Total cost of the project : €11.8 million