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Reasonable potential for GHG savings by anaerobic biomethane in Germany and UK derived from economic and ecological analyses

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  • Horschig, Thomas
  • Adams, Paul W.R.
  • Röder, Mirjam
  • Thornley, Patricia
  • Thrän, Daniela

Abstract

This study introduces a new approach to estimate biomethane market potential by analysing biogas markets and their relative environmental and economic advantages. This potential is then combined with greenhouse gas emission values for different feedstock shares (farm-fed and waste-fed systems) and different application share to determine the possible contribution of biomethane to national greenhouse gas emission saving goals. Markets that are considered are Germany and the UK being the biggest emitters of CO2eq in the European Union. The current use was compared with the scenarios (i) market projection, derived from literature study and (ii) reasonable potential, derived from environmental and economic calculations. The current market status is presented to show the past market development until the present date and associated greenhouse gas savings. Additionally the potential of biomethane to contribute to greenhouse gas emission savings is extensively described. Results indicate that the share of application in Germany is more environmental beneficial than the one in the UK achieving higher greenhouse gas savings at comparable feed-in level. In contrast, the UK has a higher share of waste-fed systems to produce biomethane. The use of biomethane in CHP plants achieves the highest GHG emission savings and if organic waste is used as feedstock the possible savings are even higher. With an increase of biomethane used in CHP plants and a decrease of biomethane used for direct heating the savings in the UK could increase up to 52%. Current savings of 2446ktCO2eq (Germany) and 606ktCO2eq (UK) can be extended to 4483ktCO2eq (Germany) and 1443ktCO2eq (UK) respectively. Scenario results were determined based on the environmental and economic advantageousness development of the existing biogas market. In this way positive future market development as well as improved shares of feedstock and application can contribute to further greenhouse gas emission savings of Germany and the UK.

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  • Horschig, Thomas & Adams, Paul W.R. & Röder, Mirjam & Thornley, Patricia & Thrän, Daniela, 2016. "Reasonable potential for GHG savings by anaerobic biomethane in Germany and UK derived from economic and ecological analyses," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 840-852.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:184:y:2016:i:c:p:840-852
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.07.098
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    3. Cong, Rong-Gang & Caro, Dario & Thomsen, Marianne, 2017. "Is it beneficial to use biogas in the Danish transport sector?–An environmental-economic analysis," MPRA Paper 112291, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Mariusz Niekurzak, 2021. "Determining the Unit Values of the Allocation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Production of Biofuels in the Life Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Zhu, Tong & Curtis, John & Clancy, Matthew, 2019. "Promoting agricultural biogas and biomethane production: Lessons from cross-country studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Xue, Shengrong & Zhang, Siqi & Wang, Ying & Wang, Yanbo & Song, Jinghui & Lyu, Xingang & Wang, Xiaojiao & Yang, Gaihe, 2022. "What can we learn from the experience of European countries in biomethane industry: Taking China as an example?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    7. Lauer, Markus & Hansen, Jason K. & Lamers, Patrick & Thrän, Daniela, 2018. "Making money from waste: The economic viability of producing biogas and biomethane in the Idaho dairy industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 621-636.
    8. Christopher Schmid & Thomas Horschig & Alexandra Pfeiffer & Nora Szarka & Daniela Thrän, 2019. "Biogas Upgrading: A Review of National Biomethane Strategies and Support Policies in Selected Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, October.
    9. Oehmichen, Katja & Thrän, Daniela, 2017. "Fostering renewable energy provision from manure in Germany – Where to implement GHG emission reduction incentives," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 471-477.

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