A1. Waste census to find the availability and distance to the WWTPs

The purpose of this action is to identify all the wastes that can potentially be used as co-substrate, considering various factors such as the type of waste, its methanogenic potential or its availability, among others.

A2. Adaptation of the mathematical model ADM1 for manure digestion

The model used in the LIFE13 ENV/ES/000377 project was validated for the co-digestion of sludge from WWTP with agri-food waste. However, the co-digestion of manure has a different behaviour due to its composition, rich in inhibitors such as ammonium, its low biodegradability, a high alkalinity content and the addition of microorganisms found in the digestive tract of cattle where the manure came from.

B1. Reengineering of the software developed in previous project

This action intends to equip with new applications the software already developed. These applications will be focused to improve usability and implement higher stability, economic balances determination, its use as simulator and scale-up to systems with continuous operation at real-scale.

The update of the tool will make it possible to face unexpected variations of the operating parameters in the inlet of digesters caused by deviations inherent to the operation of a WWTP. This will be achieved through the use of machine learning, a solution used in other computer applications developed by Global Omnium.

B2. Modification of the existing demo plant

In this project, the validation of the automatic dosing and control system is carried out in a pilot plant that was designed and built in the previous LIFE13 ENV/ES/000377 project. This plant has to be modified to adapt it to the new needs of the technology and of the substrates to be validated.

B3. Software validation in a pilot plant

In this action the new software (ECOdigestion 2.0) is validated in the pilot plant. For this, the responses of the system are studied with the operation under different operational situations, such as the use of different substrates, different methane curves, acidification, etc.

B4. Technology demonstration in operational environments at real-scale with agri-food waste as co-substrate

Once the new ECOdigestion 2.0 automatic dosing control technology has been validated on a pilot scale, the technology is demonstrated in operational environments at real-scale. To do this, ECOdigestion 2.0 will be installed in the digesters of the Quart-Benàger WWTP (Valencia, Spain), in order to automatically control the dosage of agri-food waste.

B5. Technology demonstration in operational environments at real-scale with pig manure waste as co-substrate

After the demonstration of ECOdigestion 2.0 on a pilot and real scales, the replication and validation of the technology with manure is carried out at the Coimbrão WWTP (Leiria, Portugal).

B6. Business plan

The main objective of this action is to promote the entry into the market of ECOdigestion 2.0. To this end, this action is focused on the analysis and study of market conditions, identification of other competing technologies, analysis of financial tools and sales and distribution channels to promote their commercialization.

Actions C include the monitoring of the objectives and expected results achieved, as well as the evaluation of the technical-economic viability of the commercial solution resulting from the project, the ECOdigestion 2.0 automatic control software for co-digestion.

C1. Monitoring and the evaluation of the impact

This action defines and monitors the indicators on the status of the LIFE project, which are included in the Mid-term and Final Report reports. The monitoring of these indicators is carried out during the execution of the project and up to 3 years after its completion, as part of the After-LIFE plan. This control enables to determine the impact of the project during these two stages of the project

C2. Socioeconomic study

The SocioEconomic Impact Assessment (SEIA) analyses the associated impacts of project actions, in addition to monitoring and managing the economic and social consequences of the implementation of ECOdigestion 2.0. In this way, the use of ECOdigestion 2.0, including the final application of the product, will not only benefit in social and economic terms, but also environmentally.

D1. Dissemination and communication plan

The planned dissemination actions aim to create a great knowledge of ECOdigestion 2.0 products to generate a world market in which EU agents will play an important role. For this, it is developed the Information and Communication Plan (IC Plan) of the project that establish the communication activities during the duration of the project and the After-LIFE. To achieve this objective, different activities are carried out to disseminate the results accomplished during the execution of the project.

E1. Management and monitoring of the progress of the project

The purpose of this action is i) to form a solid structure to achieve effective and results oriented management, ii) to monitor the progress of activities, iii) to establish active administrative and technical management throughout the project life cycle, iv) to identify risks and issue a corrective action plan if necessary, v) to ensure that project goals are visible and clear.

E2. After-LIFE plan

In this action a strategy and action plan will be applied that enable the technical and socioeconomic continuation of the project. This After-LIFE Plan will be continued in the medium-long term, and its objective is to exploit the results of the project in accordance with the Business Plan and the Marketing Strategy Roadmap. Project ManagementP