Page 28 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication
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28 Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation
BIOGAS
Mechanisms of the contribution
of anaerobic digestion (AD) to
GHG-emission abatement:
more than only the substitution
of fossil energy
By Meers, E. *a, Scheidl, S.*, Kirchmeyr, F.*b, Pflüger, S*. Stambasky, J.*c
A naerobic digestion energy for these energy applications. emissions which make anaerobic
(AD) makes a major digestion unique as a renewable
contribution to reduction IN ADDITION, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT energy technology. AD therefore brings
of greenhouse gas (GHG) POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER BIOGAS by far the best reduction in CO2 eq per
emissions. The generated products – PRODUCTION FROM VARIOUS unit of energy produced.
biogas, biomethane and biofertilizer FEEDSTOCKS
– substitute fossil energy, circulate Taken AD and gasification together, Avoided methane emission from
nutrients and provide adequate a conservative estimate for the total manure storage
waste management as well as more production of biomethane equivalent The EU is largely dependent on animal
sustainable agriculture. in 2030 is 48 billion Nm3 per year, in husbandry for feeding the continent
other words a combined renewable which also produces 1.27 billion
CURRENTLY AD AND GASIFICATION energy production of 1700 PJ and 62.5 tonnes of manure each year. Methane
PRODUCE THE FOLLOWING IN THE million tonnes of CO2eq savings for the emissions from manure storage
EU-28 entire EU-28. contribute significantly to the overall
Energy for heat, power and transport: GHG emissions, making agriculture one
Currently, around 9.6 billion Nm3 Based on feedstock potential and with of the major contributors. Nonetheless,
biomethane equivalent are produced the right policies in place, by 2030, when manure is brought to a digester
each year (EBA), constituting a calorific the industry could produce renewable rather than having it stored for up to nine
value of 420 PJ of energy in the form energy equivalent to approximately months, the methane which is naturally
of renewable electricity, heat and 10% of the EU’s current natural gas produced by anaerobic microorganisms
‘advanced biofuels’ (i.e. fuels made consumption, for use in electricity in the manure is captured and put to
from waste). This corresponds to 900 generation, heating/cooling and as a good use for renewable energy. Since
kg of CO2eq per MWh when producing transport fuel. methane is equivalent to 21 CO2eq
electricity from bituminous coal (US digesting manure has a huge potential in
Energy Information Administration), ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS OF GHG lowering the carbon footprint of modern
56.1 kg CO2eq per GJ when using EMISSION ABATEMENT agriculture. Dependent on the animal
natural gas for heating (IPCC Default), In addition to the current output in and type of manure, approximately
73.2 kg of CO2eq per GJ when using renewable energy and the apparent 20-60 Nm3 of biogas is produced per
diesel as car fuel). Approximately 12.5 and obvious link to the GHG emission tonne, which on average is equivalent to
million tonnes of CO2eq are avoided abatement by replacing fossil fuels, approximately 180 kWh of energy or 150
each year in Europe by replacing fossil there are surplus reductions in GHG kg CO2eq from energy substitution AND
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