Copel and the Itaipu plant are promoting sustainability by generating energy from biogas from Granja Colombari, which will form a micro supply network. This is a pioneer project in distributed generation in Paraná and throughout the country
A project that has been generating energy using biogas for over 15 years in western Paraná has just taken another essential step in terms of operational and technological innovation for decentralized energy generation, known as distributed generation (GD). Through an agreement between the Itaipu plant and Copel, which will take effect this week, Granja Colombari, in São Miguel do Iguaçu, will form a micro-grid supplying its property and other neighboring units, increasing energy security in the Field.
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With the implementation of the microgrid in Paraná, in the event of a failure in Copel's energy distribution system, the generating unit will automatically isolate itself from the system and will be able to supply energy to the area during the contingency period.
Two weeks ago, an islanding operation test was carried out in the region, as a result of three years of hard work, made possible through a protocol of intentions closed between Copel and the Itaipu plant in Paraná.
The Itaipu Technological Park and Copel sign an operation agreement, with the objective of establishing operating procedures and guaranteeing safety. It is worth mentioning that CIBiogás is also a partner of the initiative in Paraná.
Executives from Copel and Itaipu talk about the partnership and investments in the Biogas market
According to Julio Omori, Superintendent of Smart Grid and Special Projects at Copel, this is an energy project that is being dealt with with the Itaipu plant very carefully, as it is a chance to make the most of distributed generation, especially in rural areas.
Julio stated that this is just the beginning of a system that will be able to operate at various power levels, with various energy generating sources, in addition to Biogas, and expand throughout Copel's concession area and even throughout Brazil.
According to General Luiz Felipe Carbonell, director of Coordination at Itaipu, the plant sought to meet its strategic missions through the project in Paraná, which are: the preservation of water resources in the region, which are used for power generation , greater use of renewable energy sources, such as Biogas, with a view to reducing environmental pollution.
New biogas project is capable of reducing 90% in polluting gas emissions
The project in Paraná reuses the property's pig waste. The pigs' feces and urine go to a tank, where they undergo a treatment for about a month to stop being pollutants, reducing the emission of 90% of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
At the end of the process, two products are generated, biogas, aimed at generating energy and biofertilizer, used as fertilizer for planting. The property's herd has approximately 5 pigs and 350 cattle, where the waste has the capacity to feed a mini plant with an installed power of 75 kW.
