Material and energy flows of industrial biogas plants in Switzerland in the context of the circular economy

Abstract

Today, biomass is one of many countries most important renewable energy sources. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising alternative to treating organic wastes from both energy and nutrient perspectives. Here, we develop a material flow model to assess the current utilization of wet biomass in industrial AD installations from mass, energy, and nutrient perspectives in Switzerland. We then identify how the current situation fits into the circular economy concept and develop quantitative scenarios for the future of industrial AD. The nutrient transfer coefficients through AD are >74 %. In the future, this could replace up to 14,000 t/a of chemical fertilizers, saving up to 40,000 t/a of CO2-eq. Today, however, 70 t/a plastic ends up in the fields after AD, which should be improved if AD is to increase in the future. Thus, increased AD of organic wastes could reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting a circular economy.