The ENGIE Foundation, in partnership with ABiogás (Associação Brasileira do Biogás – Brazilian Biogas Association), is donating 18 biodigesters to schools and communities in all regions throughout Brazil. Biodigesters convert organic waste into biogas which in turn can be used as a substitute for cooking gas. The equipment has a capacity to generate up to 7 hours of biogas daily from just 10 kilos of organic waste, ensuring cost savings when cooking, as well as reducing the quantity of garbage which would otherwise go to landfills. The equipment also produces a natural biofertilizer in liquid form, providing a continued and sustainable source for the fertilizing of vegetable gardens.
The project entitled “From Garbage to Energy: Education for the Energy Transition”, will directly impact 3,600 students and enjoys the support of 31 ENGIE Group volunteers who will present energy transition concepts to adolescents, children and adults during the installation of the equipment. The implementation of the biodigesters in schools is deemed a pedagogic tool irrespective of student grade and can be related to a variety of disciplines such as the sciences, mathematics, and the environment. Additionally, a single piece of equipment can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to six tons over one year.
“Besides reducing the cost of cooking gas in schools, the biodigesters use what would otherwise go for garbage, ensuring a reduction in the environmental impact from the improper disposal of waste, a perfect example of the circular economy having the capacity to generate an impact on people’s lives. ENGIE has made some important investments in projects such as this, combining the environmental agenda with that of the social to assure economic development”, declared ENGIE’s manager for Corporate Social Responsibility and Energy Transition, Flavia Teixeira.
Equipment operation
For the biodigester to begin operations, all that is needed is to add animal manure and water in the amounts indicated in measures according to the installed model. A technical team is on call at the location where the equipment is installed to give the necessary support once operations are underway. After approximately a month, the system is able to generate the first flames and thereafter the production and storage of biogas begins, ready for use in the kitchen. From then on, it is possible to produce food from the installation using food waste which would normally go thrown into the garbage can. In addition to biogas, the equipment produces a natural liquid biofertilizer, closely aligned to the sustainable fertilization of vegetable gardens, an ecological and efficient solution for enriching the soil.
“The partnership of the productive sector with education is very important. It is crucial to teach children the importance of caring for the environment, the use of renewable energy and fostering the circular economy. Thus, from a very early stage, they contribute to ensuring their quality of life and that of their own children”, declares ABiogás’ executive president, Renata Isfer.
Already a feature in more than 100 countries, the equipment was introduced into Brazil in 2018 and today is installed in 26 states at more than 1,100 locations throughout the country. It is a technology which lends itself to being scaled up allowing the appropriate management of natural waste and playing an important role in protecting the environment. “Our expectation is that we can expand the number of installed biodigesters, eventually leading to local development, dignity and income creation for those that really need it as well as contributing to the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals and ESG indicators”, points out the CEO of biodigester supplier Biomovement, Leandro Toledano.
For ENGIE with operations in 250 municipalities throughout Brazil, environmental responsibility is reflected in all areas of the Company. “We have been active in Brazil for 25 years and 100% of our energy generation is renewable. Respect for the planet as well as for people is a commitment reflected in our objectives guiding our corporate strategy. The Company strives to manage environmental issues in a responsible and proactive way, and this is one excellent example of what we are doing”, says Gil Maranhão, Chief Communications, Energy Transition and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at ENGIE.