Enak Ferlemann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, today handed over a funding notification issued by his ministry to Abfall-Service Osterholz GmbH (ASO). The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI – Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur) approved ASO’s funding application for the purchase of a fuel cell-powered waste collection vehicle with funding totaling around 585,000 euros.
With the purchase of a refuse vehicle for municipal waste collection in the district of Osterholz, ASO is taking a first step towards sustainable mobility. A Rotopress-Bluepower rotary drum vehicle from FAUN is to be purchased, which, according to the manufacturer, can be delivered in the second quarter of next year. Current plans anticipate an annual mileage of some 25,000 – 35,000 km. The use of this hydrogen-powered waste collection vehicle means that there are no local emissions. One litre of diesel produces just under 2.65 kg of CO2. Compared to a conventional vehicle (which consumes approx. 0.6-0.7 l diesel/km), the new vehicle will save approx. 39,750 kg CO2 per year at a mileage of 25,000 km/p.a. With a mileage of 35,000 km/p.a., the savings will increase accordingly.
This project is now being supported by the BMVI within the scope of the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) with total funding amounting to approximately 585,000 euros. It is being coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the Project Management Organisation Jülich (PtJ). The ASO vehicle fleet is currently made up of conventionally powered vehicles. In the future, however, it is planned to expand the fleet with zero-emission vehicles.
Construction of a bio-digester
The construction of a bio-digestion facility for the processing of biowaste from the districts of Osterholz, Verden and Cuxhaven as well as the city of Cuxhaven is also planned. The biowaste will be processed into bio-methane in a controlled fermentation process. In all likelihood, the fermentation plant will produce enough bio natural gas to meet the annual consumption requirements of about 350 single-family homes. Compared to fossil-based natural gas, this corresponds to an annual CO2 saving of 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes. Among other things currently being examined in the context of this project is the production of green hydrogen (conversion of biogas and/or extraction from the percolate/waste water) and the construction of an H2 filling station at the site in Heilshorn. In this way, an ecological cycle is to be created: Extraction of biogas from the regionally produced biowaste → Production of hydrogen → Use of the green hydrogen to fuel the waste collection vehicles that, among other things, collect the biowaste.