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2006
Journal Article
Titel
Biomasse. Analyse und Bewertung der Nutzung von Biogas. Teil 1: Potenziale, Kosten und Emissionen
Alternative
Biomass. Analysis and evaluation of the use of biogas - 1. Potential, costs, and emissions
Abstract
In the study "Analysis and Evaluation of the Possibilities of Biomass Use" with the main emphasis on stationary uses, the options for electricity and heat generation from biogas are compared with techniques for the use of wood. In addition there is the consideration of the use of biogas as motor fuel at natural gas service stations. In Part 1, the results of the study with main emphasis on biogas potential, techniques, and costs as well as climate protection aspects of biogas use are presented. In Part 2, the topics of obtaining bio-methane from wood gasification, the processing and dissemination of biogas and the demands and restrictions of the feeding into the German natural gas grid (BWK 5/2006) are considered. The discussion covers introduction; biogas as an energy carrier with growth potential; the technique and costs of generating biogas (costs for the generation of electricity, heat, and motor fuels compared with other biomass paths; environmental effects; prereq uisites for feeding biogas into the natural gas grid); and summing up. Biogas can be made by fermentation of different substrates. These include residues such as agricultural harvest wastes and animal wastes and industrial residues and public bio wastes. The fermentation of renewable raw materials (Nawaro) is significant. Corn silage combined with other plants is especially used because it is a favorable compromise in terms of harvest yield, price, and handling. The industrial biogas potential in Germany is 72.2 billion kw-hr/yr (260 Pj/yr). Agriculture contributes Nawaro (33%) and also harvest residues, animal waste, and grass cuttings (51%) at 61 billion kw-hr/yr (84%). The potential from industrial residues is 3.5 billion kw-hr/yr (5%) while from municipal residues is 7.7 billion kw-hr/yr (11%). Available surface to grow energy plants is expected to increase from 1.6 to 2.6 million ha by 2030. This means the industrial biogas potential in Germany (methane fraction) will increase proportionately.