„Biomethane-powered agricultural machinery not only helps to protect the climate but also increases the regional energy production. Unfortunately, the operation of filling stations in which upgraded biogas is used is rather complicated in terms of administration and certification. Simplified procedures and a clear political framework could set the course for active climate protection in agriculture and beyond. “

Horst Seide, farmer and biogas plant operator

The goal of Horst Seide, operator of 2 biogas plants and 6 biogas filling stations, is to operate independently of fossil fuels. He is already self-sufficient in electricity and heat and is well on the way to converting his agricultural tractors to biogas.

In the fall of 2016, the prototype of a bio methane-powered tractor from New Holland was in use on his farm for 4 weeks. The gas bottles attached to the tractor, which he can easily fill up at one of his filling stations, are currently sufficient for about 5 hours of field work, but this could be further increased in the future without immense technical effort. Especially important for the practicability oriented farmer is that the drive by biomethane does not reduce the performance of the 180 hp machine and that the technology works reliably. The use of biomethane is more cost-effective during operation than the use of fossil diesel fuel. Horst Seide saves about 10% of the fuel costs when refueling and at the same time contributes to climate protection.

The utilized biogas comes from Seide's own biogas plant which, in addition to corn, is also supplied with a large proportion of plant waste - e.g. vegetable waste or parsley stalks.

A large part of the biogas obtained is used for the production of electricity and heat and is fed into the natural gas network in processed form while about 25% is processed for the biomethane filling stations.