AFRY optimizes operations for Gasum at one of Sweden's largest biogas plants
A significant investment in renewable energy
Gasum, a leading Nordic energy company, has built a state-of-the-art biogas plant in Götene, Sweden. AFRY has delivered a control system and digital solutions to ensure sustainable and uninterrupted biogas production.
The facility is one of Sweden’s largest biogas plants, with a capacity to produce 120 GWh of liquefied biogas (LBG) per year. Thanks to its size and efficiency, it represents an important step toward more sustainable energy production.
Project facts
Project: One of Sweden’s largest biogas plant
Client: Gasum
AFRY’s assignment: Control system, commissioning and sub-project management
Location: Götene, Sweden
Capacity: 120 GWh of biogas per year
Sustainability impact: Reduced CO₂ emissions by more than 30,000 tons per year
Project duration: 2023-2025
Reduced emissions and increased sustainability using renewable energy from local resources
The establishment of Gasum’s new biogas plant in Götene required a solution that ensured the highest level of operational reliability and efficiency. The plant plays a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy by producing liquefied biogas (LBG), mainly from agricultural waste from local farms. The resulting biofertilizer, returned to local agriculture, replaces chemical fertilizers, improves soil quality, and contributes to a circular economy. Moreover, biogas production reduces methane emissions from untreated manure, potentially resulting in negative emissions. When biogas is used as fuel, for instance in trucks, it also reduces emissions compared to conventional fuels.
With an annual capacity to process around 400,000 tons of manure and waste, this project marks an important step toward increased sustainability and reduced methane emissions in Sweden.
The control system that ensures optimal operation of the biogas plant
Establishing and operating a large-scale facility like Gasum’s biogas plant in Götene presents significant challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring that all processes function flawlessly and without downtime. For large facilities like this, the control system is a central and critical component. It acts as the “brain” of the plant, managing, monitoring, and regulating the various processes and functions required for the efficient, stable, and safe production of biogas and biofertilizer.
To meet these requirements, AFRY has delivered an advanced Siemens control system that not only ensures optimal operation but also improves the plant’s overall performance and sustainability. The system is designed to deliver high operational reliability and minimize the risk of disruption, crucial for a facility of this size, where production continuity is a top priority.
AFRY’s digital emulation twin, AFRY Real Digital Twin, has played an important role in delivery. The tool allows us to emulate the plant’s equipment and processes, enabling a virtual Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and smooth commissioning. By verifying functionality and quality before the actual plant was put into operation, AFRY ensured high delivery quality, streamlined the commissioning process, and reduced time on site.
Collaboration for a modern and future-proof biogas facility
Through close collaboration with Gasum and a deep understanding of both customer needs and the demands placed on modern biogas facilities, AFRY designed and implemented solutions that meet high expectations for efficiency and reliability. With careful planning, rigorous testing, and forward-looking methods, AFRY has delivered a system that supports stable and optimized plant operation.
We have had a close and well-functioning collaboration with AFRY throughout the entire journey, from the planning stage to programming and commissioning. Even though the commissioning has been both challenging and difficult to plan, AFRY has shown great flexibility and provided resources at short notice. Gasum has therefore chosen to continue working with AFRY on our next major project: a new biogas plant in Borlänge, which is now under construction and planned to be commissioned next autumn,
says Cecilia Dahlskog, Senior Manager, Execution Projects, Gasum.
The facility combines advanced technical processes with a clear sustainability agenda, making it a pioneer in renewable energy solutions.
This project is a great example of how innovative technology and dedicated teams can deliver solutions that make a real difference. It is fantastic to see how AFRY continues to build on our strong collaboration with Gasum and that we are entrusted to deliver for their projects and initiatives,
says Olle Zetterquist, Team Leader Automation Engineer at AFRY.
