GO FOTOPUR: Fotopur photovoltaic system for the use and reduction of emissions from the surface of slurry ponds on pig farms

Type Grupo operativo
Status In progress
Execution 2024 -2027
Scope Supraautonómico
Autonomous community Aragón; Castilla y León
Main source of financing PEPAC 2023-2027
Project website GO FOTOPUR

Abstract

FOTOPUR seeks to develop an innovative and cost-effective solution to cover slurry ponds that will reduce the emission of gases harmful to the environment, air quality and health (such as ammonia and methane), taking advantage of this surface to produce electricity from renewable sources.

Description

The project will determine the technical and economic viability of combining photovoltaic energy production with covering slurry ponds to reduce their emissions. In this way, it will be easier for all farms in the Spanish pig sector and for management centres to comply with national and European regulations regarding emissions.

Furthermore, the electricity produced can be used to cover the farm's energy consumption. This solution makes use of a surface area that is typically not used to generate photovoltaic energy, avoiding the need to use other land for this purpose. FOTOPUR will study the optimal solution and explore its possible commercialisation. To do so, it will take into account the social, economic and environmental impacts of a specific photovoltaic system to cover slurry ponds.

Description of activities

Evaluation and comparison of floating photovoltaic systems for their possible application in slurry ponds: identification of the requirements that these systems must meet.
Proposal for optimal solutions for covering slurry ponds and using photovoltaic energy: selection of the most suitable floating photovoltaic system and design of the required modifications or, where appropriate, the basis for a new design.
Measurement of emissions from uncovered and covered slurry ponds by the proposed solution: plan and measurement method.
Analysis of the satisfaction of the electrical demand of pig farms with photovoltaic production in their slurry ponds: sizing of the photovoltaic installations of the prototypes and comparison of the demand of the farms and the photovoltaic production of the prototypes.
Feasibility assessment of floating photovoltaic generation on slurry ponds: degradation analysis of prototype materials.
Evaluation of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project and the proposed solutions: preparation of questionnaires, conducting interviews and evaluation of results.
Market study, possible business plan and, if applicable, possible patent for a floating system for photovoltaic application on slurry ponds.

Contextual description

FOTOPUR seeks to mitigate the environmental impact of pig farming in areas where there is intense activity, such as in Aragon (Spain). In Spain, the pig sector generates more than 90 million cubic metres of slurry annually. During storage, slurry releases large quantities of NH3, which pose a serious problem for the environment, climate change, air quality and health.

In an attempt to curb the increase in emissions, Directive (EC) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council sets a ceiling on permitted national emissions of certain air pollutants, such as ammonia. Subsequently, Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council updated the climate objectives for Spain. However, Spain has failed to comply with the NH3 pollution limit, having increased its emissions by more than 10% compared to 1990. Focusing on the intensive livestock sector, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/302 includes a list of Best Available Techniques (BAT) applicable to pig farms. The adaptation of Spanish legislation to this European regulation establishes a deadline to reduce ammonia emissions into the atmosphere from slurry storage. The directive establishes a series of MTDs regarding the covering of ponds with rigid, flexible or floating covers.

In addition, Royal Decree 306/2020 establishes a reduction in emissions of up to 80% in newly built slurry ponds, compared to uncovered ponds. FOTOPUR is the continuation at state level of the Aragonese project “Alternatives in the use and control of the potential of slurry ponds”, of collaborative actions of agents of the agricultural sector, framed within the Rural Development Program of Aragon 2014-2020.

The project developed a demonstrative prototype of floating photovoltaics in the slurry pond of a sow farm located in the municipality of Tauste. The results showed the difficulties posed by both the chosen floating system and the proposed general coverage solution (assembly, maintenance, degradation, etc.).

Objectives

FOTOPUR seeks to develop an innovative solution to cover slurry ponds that will reduce the emission of harmful gases, such as ammonia, by using this surface to produce electricity from renewable sources. In this way, it is easier for all farms in the Spanish pig sector and for management centres to comply with national and European regulations regarding emissions. In addition, this solution makes use of a surface that is typically not useful for generating photovoltaic energy, avoiding the need to use other land surfaces for this purpose.

Other objectives:

To determine the feasibility of combining photovoltaics with the covering of slurry ponds to reduce emissions, and the optimal system for this. - To propose optimal solutions for covering slurry ponds and using photovoltaics. To do this, the applicability of the floating photovoltaic systems existing on the market will be studied and, where appropriate, the necessary modifications to their design.
Determine the impact on polluting emissions from slurry ponds due to covering them with the appropriate photovoltaic system, measuring emissions from slurry ponds with and without covering.
To determine the relationship between the energy demand of pig farms and the possible production of photovoltaic energy in their slurry ponds.
Determine and demonstrate the applicability of the proposed solutions to the Spanish pig sector.
Evaluate the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project and the proposed solutions. - Explore the possible commercialisation of a specific photovoltaic system for covering slurry ponds.
FOTOPUR seeks to develop an innovative solution to cover slurry ponds that will reduce the emission of harmful gases, such as ammonia, by taking advantage of this surface to produce electricity from renewable sources.

This makes it easier for all farms in the Spanish pig sector and for management centres to comply with national and European regulations regarding emissions. In addition, this solution makes use of a surface area that is typically not used to generate photovoltaic energy, avoiding the need to use other land areas for this purpose.

Contact information

Coordinator name: TAUSTE SWINE HEALTH PROTECTION GROUP Nº1
Postal address: Polígono Industrial Las Rozas, parcela IV, 50660, Tauste, Spain
Coordinator email: triniads@gmail.com
Phone: 34 976856022

Coordinators