RWE has been operating a state-of-the-art biogas facility in Bergheim-Paffendorf since 2016. A wide range of locally produced renewable resources is used to generate the gas: whole-plant, grass and corn silage, green rye, sugar beet and alfalfas. The use of new energy plants like the cup plant and wildflowers is also explored in the facility.

The generated raw biogas is refined to natural gas standard and then fed into the natural gas grid as biomethane, enough to power approximately 4,700 CNG-powered medium-range vehicles or supply around 3,300 households with electricity or heat. The plant thus makes an important contribution towards supplying the region with climate-friendly energy.

The facility is also a test location for an organic solar film. The film has been attached to two of the three fermenters. The insights gained from these tests are aimed at further developing organic photovoltaic film. The film is lighter and more flexible than conventional photovoltaic modules, and it is ultra-thin.