Biogas Stations in the Czech Republic – Subsidies, Costs, and Revenues

The article deals with the operation of biogas stations, especially in terms of power supply to a 22kV distribution grid. The article includes a draft model the objective of which is to simulate power supply to the aforementioned 22kV grid. The main objective of the model is to verify the stability of power supply. Furthermore, this model will be used for automatic analysis of the data obtained through long-term measurements. These measurements were carried out at three different biogas stations located in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the article describes the basic operating principles of the model biogas station and describes the functionality of each block of the model. Moreover, it describes the acquisition, processing and evaluation of measured data. Finally, the article concludes with verifying the functionality of the model biogas station and placing other options of its use and extension, possibly its combination with other renewable energy sources. The result of such a cooperation of several models should subsequently clarify the possibilities of connecting biogas stations to the 22kV distribution grids, or outline the possibilities of power supply during outages and other extraordinary conditions in the distribution grid.

The paper present the results for the influence of investment costs into biogas station on the amount of emissions from the agricultural sector. For the evaluation is applied structural analysis of major factors affecting the level of CO2 emissions from agriculture. Among these factors are: the number of animals (converted to livestock units), cost of investment in biogas plants, the quantity of nitrogen fertilizers and the total amount of CO2 emissions from agriculture. The results show that the investment costs haven t significant influence despite the correct direction of effect. Significant impact on CO2 emissions from agriculture have the numbers of animals (respectively cattle units). In the case of applications reviewed model from the Czech Republic to selected countries of the EU shows that the highest investment costs and also decrease CO2 equivalent emissions from agricultural biogas plants is in Germany. The high number of agricultural biogas plants is also evident in Italy and the United Kingdom. Investment costs are in these two countries in the range of 115 to 144 mld. CZK. Furthermore, it is evident that the significant investment costs are incurred by the smaller countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium). Investment costs in this case are in the range 10-33 mld. CZK.

Purpose. The purpose of the study – to assess the differences in agricultural innovativeness in Lithuania and the Czech Republic and to explain the need and ways of promoting agricultural innovativeness in both countries. Methodology / approach. First, a comparative analysis of statistical data was conducted (a quantitative study). Data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Lithuania and the Czech Republic, Eurostat, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were used for the analysis. Lithuanian agricultural indicators were evaluated in the context of the EU. Additionally, 10 experts were interviewed (a qualitative study). Five experts were interviewed from each of Lithuania and the Czech Republic. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured approach. Results. The study reveals that farmers in both the Czech Republic and Lithuania face obstacles in obtaining financial support for innovation and in accessing information about cutting-edge farming techniques, regardless of the size of their farms. However, the situation in the Czech Republic is somewhat less complex due to its larger agricultural sector, making the issue of financial support for innovation more straightforward to navigate compared to Lithuania. Farmers in both countries demonstrate a favourable attitude toward innovation. The study presents practical recommendations for enhancing the agricultural innovation ecosystem and the adoption of innovations in the agricultural sector. It emphasises the need to simplify the application process for financial assistance and improve communication strategies so that farmers are well informed and prepared to implement new technologies. Furthermore, it calls for increased community-building initiatives among farmers to foster an environment conducive to knowledge sharing and collaboration. Insights from expert interviews indicate that providing personalised advice and customised training programs can significantly bolster the ability of small and medium-sized farms to innovate and compete effectively not only in the local market but also in global ones. Originality / scientific novelty. This article contributes to the academic discourse on agricultural innovation by providing a comparative analysis of the innovativeness of the agricultural sectors in two different Central and Eastern European countries. It uniquely addresses many challenges faced by farmers, including environmental concerns, limited access to financial support, and a shortage of qualified agricultural experts. The novelty of the study lies in its dual methodology – combining quantitative data from statistical analyses with qualitative insights from expert interviews. Practical value / implications. This approach not only enriches the understanding of agricultural innovation in Lithuania and the Czech Republic but also highlights the need for tailored strategies that take into account the specific socio-economic contexts of small and medium-sized farms. By identifying the barriers to innovation adoption and highlighting the differences in agricultural policies and practices between the two countries, this research provides valuable practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.

The basis of the biogas production in agriculture is the processing of waste agricultural products (particularly excrements of farm animals but also phytomass). Different but rather similar is the biogas production from biologically degradable municipal waste (BDMW) and biologically degradable industrial waste (BDIW) coming mainly from food industry. The processing of these wastes in agricultural biogas stations could significantly improve their economy. It is necessary to note that all these biogas stations differ from the wastewater cleaning plants where municipal sludge water from public sewers is processed. The municipal sludge water processing to biogas by anaerobic fermentation is a classical technology introduced all over the world. At present, about 100 wastewater cleaning plants operate in the Czech Republic using regular sludge processing into biogas. Electricity produced is utilised mainly for the needs of own operation of waste water treatment plant (WWTP), partly it is sold into public power net. The heat energy is used for heating in the process and its surplus is utilised for operational and administrative facilities. Usually, the heat and electricity quantities produced do not cover the wastewater cleaning plant operation. Agricultural biogas stations and biogas stations for BDMW processing provide considerably higher gas yields because they work with higher dry matter contents in substratum, i.e. 8–12% (compared with waste water treatment plants – 2–6%), and are able to produce high gas surpluses for following applications. Frequently discussed issue are the processing of slaughter waste and grass (or public green areas at biogas stations).

Biogas production in an anaerobic way in biogas stations is currently prevalent in the Czech Republic. Along with the increasing installed capacity of biogas stations and the amount of gas produced, the need for handling the solid residue of this process – digestate – is increasing. The digestate from pure input raw materials is most often used as a fertiliser; however, the regulations limit its use, and this output from biogas stations is a surplus. Digestate from biogas stations, where bio-waste is used as fuel, is unsuitable for fertilising. Other thermochemical processes such as incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis cannot be overlooked when looking for other technologies to use this solid organic matter. The article summarises the experience of transforming dry digestate into gaseous fuel utilising a static fluidised bed gasification generator. The article contains fuel analyses, a description of the experiments carried out, and the results of the composition of the final product – gas.

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) has been often used in the Czech Republic in last two decades. One of the methods, without application in the Czech Republic, is an Italian method called ADECO-RS, which has reached significant use in Italy and some other countries. It is the method of controlled deformation, which uses mainly the horizontal anchoring of the tunnel face to reinforce the area in front of the face (advance core). This technology is especially important in weak and soft rocks where is necessary to excavate quickly and smoothly with minimum disruption of initial stress state of the rock mass in the vicinity of the excavation. The use of NATM can be in some cases uneconomical and technically inadequately challenging and in such cases would be appropriate to choose another technology. Given the facts above, in the Czech environment there is no data available for comparison of these methods not only in terms of numerical modelling, but also in terms of feasibility and usability. The paper summarizes history of the tunnelling methods and it is closer devoted to NATM and ADECO-RS tunnelling approaches. The basic principles of both methods are set and further the comparison of these methods is made on a theoretical level. The paper hereinafter includes the analysis of fibreglass face anchors application during the construction of three-aisled Veleslavin Station and the impact assessment of tunnel face anchoring during the excavation of ventilation tunnel on the newly built part of the Prague Metro „V.A“. The paper also deals with practical knowledge gained during the technical visit of Italian Val di Sambro Tunnel which is built according to ADECO-RS approach. These findings are essential for the correct interpretation of Lunardi method.

The agricultural sector in the Czech and Slovak Republic has problems in big and also in small farms. The pa- per is based on the assumption of the family farm algorithm, which is focused on the plant production. A family farm is represented by two adults and two children. The aim is to calculate the minimum size of the farm in hectare needed to achieve the average income (in the national economy) of the 4-member family in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. The algorithms for determining the size of a family farm focused on crop farming in the corn production area in the economic and production conditions of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were given the following inputs: the average annual income of a 4 member family, own costs for chosen crops, prices crops, average subsidies for agricultural land, average annual harvests of chosen crops. Data were obtained from the ministries of agriculture and statistical offices from both states. We calculate the average 4 member family in Slovakia needs to earn minimum 16 77.44 Euro per year and in the Czech Republic 18 322.08 Euro per year. The results of the paper proved that, according to the model of an average farm focused on crop production, the acreage of 89.99 ha in Slovakia and 122.31 ha in the Czech Republic of agricultural land needs to have one family farm. We are calculating with following commodities: wheat, barley, grain maize, sunflower, oil rape, potatoes and pea. One way to track changes in farm structure is to examine trends in the average size of holding, or average herd size in the case of livestock farms. However, this measure can seriously underestimate the pace of change where much of the growth (in area farmed, or in livestock numbers) takes place on the larger holdings. The persistence of many small holdings, even though the share of the land or livestock that they control is small and may be falling, tends to mask the extent of structural change as measured by averages. The aim of submitted paper is to determine the minimum size of agricultural land of a small family farm focused on plant production in the economic and production conditions of the Czech and Slovak Republics. In the submitted paper the data on farmers has been used in Slovakia and the Czech Republic from the data of business calculations by Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics from Slovakia and Research Institute of Agricultural Economy from Czech Republic. Key words: farm size, agricultural land, crop production, crops, costs, prices, subsidies.

This paper focuses mainly on performance analysis for three biogas stations situated within the territory of the Czech Republic. This paper contains basic details of the individual biogas stations as well as description of their types. It also refers to the general description of the measurement gauge involved, with specifications of its potential use. The final part of this paper deals with the analysis of course data obtained, with special regard to voltage, current, active power and reactive power data.)

The aim of the article is to evaluate determinants of working capital investment policy of companies in agriculture in the Czech Republic from 2013 to 2022. The aim of this article is to identify the main determinants that influence the management of working capital in agricultural enterprises in the Czech Republic and to analyze how these factors affect the operational efficiency and financial stability of these enterprises from 2013 to 2022. Comparative analysis, Granger causality test and generalized method of moments (GMM method) will be used to identify the determinants of working capital. The data base includes 2 516 enterprises operating in agriculture in the Czech Republic. The results showed that the agricultural sector has a relaxed investment policy with a high share of inventories, while in recent years there has been a positive improvement in the effectiveness of working capital management. This policy is significantly influenced by company size, growth opportunities and capital structure. The improvement in return on assets and equity contributed to better financial stability. Companies can optimize their investment policy and improve financial results through better analysis of these factors.

This paper deals with the effects of biogas stations on CO2 emissions produced within agricultural sector. In last years, owing to a positive policy of renewable energy resources a number of biogas stations in the CR has rapidly increased – actually over 350 agricultural biogas stations with the total installed power 365 MW are in operation. Concerning CO2 emissions from the agricultural sector, there is a presumption of decrease in produced emissions owing to decrease of influence of animal wastes which are processed just in the biogas stations. From the results it is obvious that CO2 emissions produced by agriculture in the CR decrease by 93.7 thousand tonnes annually. A presumption P1 that building of biogas stations will further support this trend is documented with results of a simple dynamic linear regression model. Further, elasticities of particular variables influencing the total emission from agriculture are investigated in the paper.

The main aim of the study was to analyse changes in the work profitability in the agricultural sector in the Czech Republic and Poland in the post-accession period. The study used the Economic Accounts for Agriculture, which enabled the analysis of the economic situation in agriculture according to the uniform standards. The study was based on a system of work profitability indexes and factor analysis. The research proved that during the post-accession period (2004–2014), in the average work profitability in agriculture increased in the real terms by 6.69% per annum in the Czech Republic and by 5.66% per annum in Poland. As results from the factor analysis, favourable changes in the work profitability in the agricultural sector in the Czech Republic were chiefly caused by an increase in subsidies, a higher productivity and depreciation costs. On the other hand, the increased productivity and subsidies were the main causes of favourable changes in the work profitability in the agricultural sector in Poland.

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The feasibility and consequences of replacing nuclear power plants (NPP) in the Czech Republic with other energy sources are discussed. The NPP produced about one-third of electricity in the Czech Republic in 2017. Renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar power plants and biomass/biogas burning power plants produced about 11% of electricity in 2017. Due to the geographical and other constraints (intermittency, land footprint, and public acceptance), the renewables do not have the potential to entirely replace the capacity of the NPP. The only feasible technologies that could replace NPP in the Czech Republic in the near future are the power plants using fossil fuels. The combined cycle power plants running on natural gas (NGCC) are technically and environmentally fea-sible alternative for NPP at the moment. However, the natural gas imports would increase by two-thirds and the total greenhouse gas emissions would go up by about 10% if the power production of the NPP was entirely replaced by NGCC in the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This paper focuses on the development of Czech laws of water resource protection. The presented research examines the statistical data of the number and type of legislative acts concerning to water protection issued in the Czech Republic during the period 1990-2019. Several types of legislative acts are followed in administrative law and statistically compared by the development in time and its type. The survey focuses on general water protection acts, water sewage management, agriculture sector, hygiene standards, and the protection of the basins of Czech rivers (e.g., blue water and gray water). METHODS: The analysis firstly concerns to the development of the number of legislative acts during 1990-2019 and secondly discusses a diversification of the legislative acts types (laws, decrees, resolutions, regulations, and strategic plans). A total of 12,272 legislative acts is analyzed during three phases of Czech modern history: 1990-1992 (Czechoslovakia), 1993-2003 (Czech Republic before its accession to the European Union), and 2004-2019 (Czech Republic in the European Union). FINDINGS: Statistical elaboration of legislative acts proves that it is possible to determine different types of water management over time. Protection of water resource management in the Czech Republic was forming from crisis management (1990-1992), via operational management (1993-2003) to strategic management (2004-2019). Current trends after 2020 show a new trend towards integral management. CONCLUSION: Findings provide better understanding of changeable importance of water protection and management attitudes in the Czech Republic in reaction to the development of society. ==========================================================================================COPYRIGHTS©2021 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.==========================================================================================