From waste to energy: how Wabico supplies green gas to 8,000 households
The facility is part of HoSt Group’s strategy not only to build technology, but also to operate it. This provides valuable hands-on experience and operational knowledge, which is then used to improve installations around the world.
A unique combination of anaerobic digestion and water treatment
What sets Wabico apart from many other biogas plants is the integration of its own water treatment facility. While many installations discharge wastewater for external treatment, Wabico treats and purifies it on site.
“That makes the process more complex, but also more efficient,” explains Team Lead Process Joost Loeffen. “Everything is under our own control, allowing us to optimize the entire process.”
The facility processes exclusively liquid waste streams, including:
- industrial waste streams
- fats and grease from the hospitality sector and sewer systems
- sludge from slaughterhouses and the food processing industry
- wastewater from tank cleaning and shipping activities
Green energy from residual streams
These waste streams are converted into biogas through anaerobic digestion. The gas is then upgraded and injected into the Dutch gas grid. The impact is tangible. “Last year, we produced around 10 million cubic meters of green gas,” says Joost. “That is enough to supply approximately 8,000 households with energy.”
In this way, waste is transformed into a valuable resource for sustainable energy production
Real-world operations driving innovation
Wabico is not only a production facility but also an important center for innovation. Because HoSt Group owns and operates the site itself, processes can be continuously monitored and improved.
The facility also serves as a demonstration and testing environment. “Customers regularly visit the site,” says Joost. “We also test components and solutions here that are later implemented in projects elsewhere.”
Seeing the impact every day
What makes Wabico particularly rewarding is the direct connection between technology and results. From incoming waste streams to green gas being fed into the grid, the entire process is visible and measurable. “You can see the results of your work every single day,” says Joost. “That makes it tangible and gives you energy.”