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Multi-Indicator Assessment of Innovative Small-Scale Biomethane Technologies in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Kathrin Bienert

    (DBFZ—Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Britt Schumacher

    (DBFZ—Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Martín Rojas Arboleda

    (DBFZ—Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Eric Billig

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Samiksha Shakya

    (DBFZ—Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, Torgauer Strasse 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Gustav Rogstrand

    (RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Box 7033, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Marcin Zieliński

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 117a, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Dębowski

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 117a, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Innovative small-scale biogas plants, including upgrading solutions to affordable biomethane, are necessary to tap into the spatially distributed potentials of organic waste. This research identified and assessed novel small-scale technologies before market-entry maturity in the key process steps of the biomethane chain. We assessed technical, economic, and ecological indicators, and compared them to larger-scale references. The assessment included 7 pre-treatment, 13 digester, and 11 upgrading systems all at the small scale. We collected recently available data for Europe (2016–2018) for small-scale technologies (<200 m 3 ; raw biogas per hour). In the literature we did not find such a comprehensive assessment of actual European small-scale innovative non-market-ready technologies for the production of biomethane. Several conclusions were drawn for each of the individual process steps in the biomethane chain, e.g., the economic indicator calculated for the upgrading technologies shows that the upgrading costs, for some of them, are already close to the larger-scale reference (about 1.5 €ct/kWh raw biogas). Furthermore, biomethane production is absolutely context-specific, which dramatically limits the traditional way to evaluate technologies. Hence, new ways of integration of the technologies plays a major role on their future R&D.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathrin Bienert & Britt Schumacher & Martín Rojas Arboleda & Eric Billig & Samiksha Shakya & Gustav Rogstrand & Marcin Zieliński & Marcin Dębowski, 2019. "Multi-Indicator Assessment of Innovative Small-Scale Biomethane Technologies in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-32, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:7:p:1321-:d:220461
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lora Grando, Rafaela & de Souza Antune, Adelaide Maria & da Fonseca, Fabiana Valéria & Sánchez, Antoni & Barrena, Raquel & Font, Xavier, 2017. "Technology overview of biogas production in anaerobic digestion plants: A European evaluation of research and development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 44-53.
    2. Billig, Eric & Thrän, Daniela, 2016. "Evaluation of biomethane technologies in Europe – Technical concepts under the scope of a Delphi-Survey embedded in a multi-criteria analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1176-1186.
    3. Pierie, F. & van Someren, C.E.J. & Benders, R.M.J. & Bekkering, J. & van Gemert, W.J.Th. & Moll, H.C., 2015. "Environmental and energy system analysis of bio-methane production pathways: A comparison between feedstocks and process optimizations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 456-466.
    4. Rotunno, Paolo & Lanzini, Andrea & Leone, Pierluigi, 2017. "Energy and economic analysis of a water scrubbing based biogas upgrading process for biomethane injection into the gas grid or use as transportation fuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(PB), pages 417-432.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gábor Pörzse & Zoltán Csedő & Máté Zavarkó, 2021. "Disruption Potential Assessment of the Power-to-Methane Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Anna Pääkkönen & Kalle Aro & Pami Aalto & Jukka Konttinen & Matti Kojo, 2019. "The Potential of Biomethane in Replacing Fossil Fuels in Heavy Transport—A Case Study on Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Parolin, Giácomo & McAloone, Tim C. & Pigosso, Daniela C.A., 2024. "How can technology assessment tools support sustainable innovation? A systematic literature review and synthesis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    4. Francesco Calise & Francesco Liberato Cappiello & Luca Cimmino & Massimo Dentice d’Accadia & Maria Vicidomini, 2021. "A Review of the State of the Art of Biomethane Production: Recent Advancements and Integration of Renewable Energies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-43, August.

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