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Flexible Biogas in Future Energy Systems—Sleeping Beauty for a Cheaper Power Generation

Author

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  • Markus Lauer

    (DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Daniela Thrän

    (DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH (German Biomass Research Centre), Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
    UFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

The increasing proportion of intermittent renewable energies asks for further technologies for balancing demand and supply in the energy system. In contrast to other countries, Germany is characterized by a high installed capacity of dispatchable biogas plants. For this paper, we analyzed the total system costs varying biogas extension paths and modes of operation for the period of 2016–2035 by using a non-linear optimization model. We took variable costs of existing conventional power plants, as well as variable costs and capital investments in gas turbines, Li-ion batteries, and pumped-storage plants into account. Without the consideration of the costs for biogas plants, an increasing proportion of biogas plants, compared to their phase out, reduces the total system costs. Furthermore, their flexible power generation should be as flexible as possible. The lowest total system costs were calculated in an extension path with the highest rate of construction of new biogas plants. However, the highest marginal utility was assessed by a medium proportion of flexible biogas plants. In conclusion, biogas plants can be a cost-effective option to integrate intermittent renewable energies into the electricity system. The optimal extension path of biogas plants depends on the future installed capacities of conventional and renewable energies.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Lauer & Daniela Thrän, 2018. "Flexible Biogas in Future Energy Systems—Sleeping Beauty for a Cheaper Power Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-24, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:4:p:761-:d:138358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauer, Markus & Leprich, Uwe & Thrän, Daniela, 2020. "Economic assessment of flexible power generation from biogas plants in Germany's future electricity system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1471-1485.
    2. Philip Tafarte & Annedore Kanngießer & Martin Dotzauer & Benedikt Meyer & Anna Grevé & Markus Millinger, 2020. "Interaction of Electrical Energy Storage, Flexible Bioenergy Plants and System-friendly Renewables in Wind- or Solar PV-dominated Regions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Achinas, Spyridon & Willem Euverink, Gerrit Jan, 2020. "Rambling facets of manure-based biogas production in Europe: A briefing," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Stürmer, Bernhard & Theuretzbacher, Franz & Saracevic, Ervin, 2021. "Opportunities for the integration of existing biogas plants into the Austrian electricity market," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Spyridon Achinas & Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink, 2019. "Feasibility Study of Biogas Production from Hardly Degradable Material in Co-Inoculated Bioreactor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, March.
    6. Spyridon Achinas & Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink, 2019. "Effect of Combined Inoculation on Biogas Production from Hardly Degradable Material," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, January.
    7. Susanne Theuerl & Christiane Herrmann & Monika Heiermann & Philipp Grundmann & Niels Landwehr & Ulrich Kreidenweis & Annette Prochnow, 2019. "The Future Agricultural Biogas Plant in Germany: A Vision," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-32, January.
    8. Soha, Tamás & Papp, Luca & Csontos, Csaba & Munkácsy, Béla, 2021. "The importance of high crop residue demand on biogas plant site selection, scaling and feedstock allocation – A regional scale concept in a Hungarian study area," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    9. Balibrea-Iniesta, José & Rodríguez-Monroy, Carlos & Núñez-Guerrero, Yilsy María, 2021. "Economic analysis of the German regulation for electrical generation projects from biogas applying the theory of real options," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    10. Venus, Terese E. & Strauss, Felix & Venus, Thomas J. & Sauer, Johannes, 2021. "Understanding stakeholder preferences for future biogas development in Germany," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    11. Jan Martin Zepter & Jan Engelhardt & Tatiana Gabderakhmanova & Mattia Marinelli, 2021. "Empirical Validation of a Biogas Plant Simulation Model and Analysis of Biogas Upgrading Potentials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, April.
    12. Spyridon Achinas & Johan Horjus & Vasileios Achinas & Gerrit Jan Willem Euverink, 2019. "A PESTLE Analysis of Biofuels Energy Industry in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-24, October.
    13. Yiyun Liu & Tao Huang & Xiaofeng Li & Jingjing Huang & Daoping Peng & Claudia Maurer & Martin Kranert, 2020. "Experiments and Modeling for Flexible Biogas Production by Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sewage Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, February.

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