The Potential of Biogas: Lessons from Germany
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The Potential of Biogas: Lessons from Germany
Steve Plachinski, Aleia McCord, Mirna Santana, Jeff Starke, Sarah Stefanos
CHANGE-IGERT, UW-Madison
Outline
1. Introduction to Biogas
2. The World Leader – Germany
3. Three Lessons from Germany
4. Social and Policy Considerations
What is Biogas? – Inputs
Biological Ac*vity Inputs Outputs
Manure
Anaerobic Digester
Biogas (50-‐75% Methane)
Substrates • Corn Silage
• Wheat • Grass (hay) • Food Waste
• Others • Microbes • Heat • No oxygen
Digested Solids
What is Biogas? – Outputs and End Uses
Biological Ac*vity Outputs End Uses
Solids
Biogas
• Fer*lizer • Animal Bedding
Upgrade to Pipeline Quality
Combus5on
Transporta*on Fuel
Direct Use
Heat
Electricity
Anaerobic Digester
Germany – The World Leader in Biogas
Sources: Beyond Biofuels: Renewable Energy Opportunities for US Farmers, Heinrich Böll Stiftung (2010) Biogas: Rethinking the Midwest’s Potential, Peter Taglia (2010)
Three Lessons from Germany
1. Business Models – Industry pioneers; co-ownership; partnering
with universities, nearby communities, energy utilities
2. System Scale and Design – Large vs. small systems; unique system designs
3. Innovative Inputs and End Uses – Substrates; additives; uses of heat; pipeline gas
Fer4lizer
Mixer
Corn Silage Grass (100%)
Upgrade (cleaning) Process
Storage Tank
Sell to U4lity
Farmer Responsible U4lity Responsible
Biogas On-‐site
Combus4on
Digester
Electricity
Split Ownership with Energy Utility
RNG
Inject into NG Pipeline
Solids
Integrative Business Model How Can Wisconsin Do This?
– Consider a variety of ownership structures (utilities, companies, etc.)
– Work with researchers (universities, etc.) – Identify possible partnerships with local
community or businesses – Synergies with other
bioenergy resources (ex. ethanol and biogas)
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA (2010)
Fer4lizer
1 MW Electricity
• On-‐farm Heat • Wood Drying
Mixer
Corn Silage Grass (100%)
Combus4on
Storage Solids
Biogas
# Livestock: 0 # Acres in Cul4va4on: 230 ha
# Years in Opera4on: 4
Three-Ring Digester Design
System Scale and Design How Can Wisconsin Do This?
– Small-scale biogas systems are possible
– Consider a variety of system designs
– Explore new technologies that can lower costs and increase system versatility
End Use – Adding Value
On-‐site Combus4on Electricity
Heat
On-‐Site Drier • 25% Solids In • 90% Solids Out
Municipal Sludge
(1km away) Solids
Cement Plant (50km away)
Incinerated with coal
No Sludge to Landfill Beneficial Heat Usage Decrease volume coal
Profit = €49 per ton sludge (wet)
Innovative Inputs and End Uses How Can Wisconsin Do This?
– Conduct more research on optimal substrate combinations
– Identify potential substrate sources from on-farm and non-farm sources
– Work with neighbors and local community to determine best end uses
– Maximize use of combustion heat
Social Context / Motivations 1. Progressive approach to waste 2. Climate Change 3. Energy Security German Policies 1. Feed-in-Tariff is instrumental 2. Result of a bottom-up process
Social & Policy Context for Germany’s Biogas Success
Different social context and policy environment in Wisconsin • How is the motivation for biogas different in Wisconsin? • What might Wisconsin’s social and policy environment need to be to grow its biogas industry?
Conclusions
1. Business Models
2. System Scale and Design
3. Innovative Inputs and End Uses
4. Social Context and Policy Environment are Important Factors
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