Company History.
AGF was officially incorporated on 18 February 2015, but its history of innovation and commitment to excellence began much earlier. Its majority partner and director, Francisco Guzmán, started out in the Spanish biogas sector before the company was incorporated, contributing his knowledge to biogas plants that were not working or were on the verge of closure. His work in 2014 at the URBILIZA RENOVABLES plant (Biogás – Urbiliza Renovables) marked the beginning of his relationship with Fernando Selva, an active promoter, in love with biogas and suffering the ups and downs of a nascent sector. One of the personalities of the Spanish renewable gas industry, whose tenacity marked some of the milestones of the sector, a pioneering path that once opened many are beginning to travel in recent times.
Both partners decided to develop the first version of AGF’s CIAD. All the applied R&D and knowledge of processes had to be channelled through the creation of an engineering company capable of developing the knowledge generated. The company had to take more and more risks, entering service niches that would allow developers to make their projects a reality. Profitable business in a non-prized market.
From the outset, AGF has been an innovator in the sector, standing out for its ability to adapt and evolve in a constantly changing market. From the initial conception of the project, its execution and operation, to being able to apply its knowledge internationally in more mature biogas markets.
Main milestones:
- 2014:
- Intervention in URBILIZA. Stabilisation of processes and production.
- Construction of NDN plant in pig farm.
- Establishment of a Research Centre to study biogas production processes.
- 2015:
- Official establishment of AGF on 18th February.
- Collaboration with QILA ENERGY in the UK. During the period 2015-2018.
- Development of the control philosophy. For biogas and biomethane projects in the UK.
- Design and assembly of electrical panels.
- Design and assembly of pump and control rooms. Modular design with manufacture in Spain and shipment to international projects. NEW GENERATION BIOGAS PLANTS 1. Pumping Stations and Prefabricated Units – AGF Process Engineering – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- 2016
- March 2016, commissioning of biogas plants. Electricity production. Wester Kerrogwair and Tuxford, United Kingdom.
- June 2016, first contract for a biogas plant for thermal self-consumption in Spain. BIOGASNALIA plant.
- August 2016, start of construction of the BIOGASNALIA plant.
- 2017
- Contract for the BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA plant. Licence conversion.
- September 2017, start-up of the BIOGASNALIA plant. Start-up simulation at AGF’s CIAD. 2 weeks of start-up.
- Improvement of the URBILIZA RENOVABLES biogas plant.
- July 2017 start of work on BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA. We’re starting work! – AGF Ingeniería de Procesos – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- 2018:
- Installation of CIAD experimental room in La Lapa. Expansion of AGF’s R&D capabilities.
- Start of AGF’s new R&D plan funded by CDTI. CDTI funds AGF’s R&D plan – AGF Ingeniería de Procesos – Plantas de Biogás España – Biometano
- Study and selection of AGF gas separation technologies. In-depth analysis of the sector in Europe.
- First design of a plant with membrane separation. Agreement with supplier of separation medium. Discarded due to rigidity of medium and associated operating costs.
- Decision to develop own gas separation technology using absorption without chemical reaction with water.
- Design of virtual gas pipeline. Gas compressed to 250 bar.
- BIOENGAS first prize in ENAGAS‘ INGENIA BUSINESS competition, supported by AGF BIOENGAS first prize in ENAGAS’ INGENIA BUSINESS competition – AGF Ingeniería de Procesos – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- BIOGASNALIA produces more gas than the industry needs, so the plant’s capacity is expanded and new uses for the gas are sought. BIOGASNALIA ACHIEVES FULL ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THANKS TO ITS BIOGAS PLANT AGF – AGF Process Engineering – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- Energy island. A generator set is incorporated and begins to produce its own electricity.
- A second gas boiler is installed.
- Industrial-scale biohydrogen production test at the BIOGASNALIA plant. AGF DEMONSTRATES INDUSTRIAL-SCALE BIOHYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN SPAIN. – AGF Ingeniería de Procesos – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- December 2018, incorporation of AGF INSTALACIONES INDUSTRIALES Y AUTOMATIZACIÓN S.L.
- 2019
- Design of the first prototype of the AGF Mini Biogas Plant (MPB). Development of MPB Prototype 1. MPB 1. PROJECT PRESENTATION. Design of a product for the decentralised management of organic waste.
- Start of new engineering services to support the processing of renewable gas projects.
- Performance tests of BIOGASNALIA to study ENAGAS’ investment in the UNUE project BIOGASNALIA reaches a production of 1MWe during a performance test to evaluate potential investments – AGF Ingeniería de Procesos – Biogas Plants Spain – Biomethane
- Contract for a carcass sterilisation plant Method 1 according to SANDACH regulations.
- 2020:
-
-
- Commissioning of pig carcass sterilisation plant for farms.
- Contracting of the gas separation plant to expand BIOGASNALIA’s capacity. ENAGAS EMPRENDE/BIOEGAS UNUE Project.
- Construction, commissioning and testing of an M1 BBP at BIOGASNALIA. Includes selective collection of organic waste in bars and restaurants in Burgos.
- July 2020, commissioning of the BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA biogas plant Commissioning of BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA
- Contract for the biomethane plant for the BIOMETAGAS LA GALERA plant.
-
Operating data
- Total waste processed: 175,015.21 tonnes.
- Total energy produced: 160.92 GWh.
- Total energy injected: 78.39 GWh.
Ten years building the path for renewable gas
Throughout this decade, AGF Procesos has demonstrated its ability to innovate, adapt and lead the development of renewable gas in Spain and begin its expansion into international markets. From the outset, it has been committed to its own technology, applied research and operational excellence, consolidating its position as a benchmark in the sector.
Today, with a track record full of milestones and the backing of strategic clients, AGF not only celebrates its history, but also looks to the future with the ambition of continuing to transform the energy sector. Its international expansion, the development of new solutions and its firm commitment to sustainability are setting the course for the next ten years.
