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Economic and Energy Efficiency Analysis of the Biogas Plant Digestate Management Methods

Author

Listed:
  • Mateusz Nowak

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland)

  • Wiktor Bojarski

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland)

  • Wojciech Czekała

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive economic and energy efficiency analysis of selected digestate management methods, considering their implications on operational costs and resource management. To achieve this aim, the study focuses on a comparative assessment of different digestate management methods, including land application, mechanical separation, the composting process and pellet production. The economic analysis involves the evaluation of the initial investment, operational expenses, and potential revenue streams associated with each method. The most economical and popular solution of digestate management is direct use as fertilizer, with total costs of 1.98 EUR·Mg −1 . All of the other methods involve higher digestate management costs, respectively; for separation it is 2.42 EUR·Mg −1 , for composting it is 2.81 EUR·Mg −1 . The process that is the most energy-intensive, but profitable, is the production of pellets from digestate, resulting in profits of 334,926 EUR·year −1 . It should be noted that the other analyzed methods of digestate management also bring many environmental benefits, affecting sustainability and reducing emissions. The results of this research will contribute unique data on the feasibility of managing the digestate and its fractions. The calculations of economic and energy values for different strategies will allow for the optimization of the overall performance of the biogas plant, thus promoting a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Mateusz Nowak & Wiktor Bojarski & Wojciech Czekała, 2024. "Economic and Energy Efficiency Analysis of the Biogas Plant Digestate Management Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:12:p:3021-:d:1417855
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Józef Ciuła & Iwona Wiewiórska & Marian Banaś & Tadeusz Pająk & Piotr Szewczyk, 2023. "Balance and Energy Use of Biogas in Poland: Prospects and Directions of Development for the Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Andrea G. Capodaglio & Arianna Callegari & Maria Virginia Lopez, 2016. "European Framework for the Diffusion of Biogas Uses: Emerging Technologies, Acceptance, Incentive Strategies, and Institutional-Regulatory Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Skrzypczak, Dawid & Trzaska, Krzysztof & Mikula, Katarzyna & Gil, Filip & Izydorczyk, Grzegorz & Mironiuk, Małgorzata & Polomska, Xymena & Moustakas, Konstantinos & Witek-Krowiak, Anna & Chojnacka, Ka, 2023. "Conversion of anaerobic digestates from biogas plants: Laboratory fertilizer formulation, scale-up and demonstration of applicative properties on plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 506-517.
    4. Massimiliano Mazzanti & Marco Modica & Andrea Rampa, 2021. "The Biogas dilemma: an analysis on the Social Approval of large new plants," SEEDS Working Papers 0221, SEEDS, Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies, revised Apr 2021.
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