Youthful creativity and innovation play a key role in shaping a sustainable future. Young people around the world, including our local communities, are increasingly taking a leading role in finding solutions to the environmental challenges of modern society. Their ability to devise new approaches and technologies contributes to the creation of sustainable solutions that respond to the pressing needs of our planet.
The pride of Aleksinac and the whole of Serbia is the team of young researchers “Metanci”, who won first place at the recently held hackathon with an idea that promotes methane as a solution for electricity production, maintenance of the free public transport system and support for commercial activities in Aleksinac.
The team consisting of Milica, Jana, Sara, Petar and Dimitrije presented a solution that combines ecological and economic benefits, which won the attention of the jury and secured its place at the regional conference in Sofia.
In their presentation, the “methanes” explained that methane is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and is the main ingredient of natural gas. This gas can be used for electricity generation, heating and as fuel for vehicles. Although methane has its drawbacks, such as a negative impact on the ozone layer and high flammability, its proper use can be extremely important for sustainable development.
Aleksinac is known as a mining town, and numerous accidents in the mines were caused precisely by methane. This reality encouraged “Methanes” to devote themselves to researching better ways to use and store this gas, and their idea includes placing containers for organic waste throughout the city, which would be composted and used to produce methane in biogas generators.
– When organic waste is composted, the decomposition process under controlled conditions enables the production of methane as a by-product. Then biogas generators use a process called anaerobic digestion to produce methane. The good thing is that projects sponsored by the European Union are currently being implemented in our country to supply municipalities with biogas plants – says our interlocutor, Jana Stošić.
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Innovative use of methane for sustainable development
The team of young researchers “Metanci” proposes several key ways of using the produced methane. One part would be used as fuel, which would enable the municipality of Aleksinac to finance the purchase of ecological buses on biogas from the sale of fuel. These buses would reduce pollution and provide free transportation to the locals, which would solve the problem of lack of city transportation.
Another part of the production from biogas plants would be used as natural fertilizer, which would support agriculture in the municipality, which has as many as 70 villages. This would enable the production of food without the use of pesticides, which would improve the quality of life of the local population.
Finally, the third part would be used to supply thermal power plants, which in this way could be kept in operation even after the closure of the mine. By using methane in cogeneration processes, it is possible to simultaneously produce heat and electricity, which would increase energy efficiency.
Prepared by: Milena Maglovski
Source: energetskiportal.rs
