Abstract
BackgroundDue to climate change and the rising world population, sustainable energy and fertilizer production faces many challenges. The utilization of organic waste fractions is one possible solution for promoting sustainability. Organic waste fractions have a high potential for biomethane production, which could positively contribute to the current energy mix. Furthermore, organic waste fractions could be used for nutrient recovery (i.e., the recovery of N and P) concurrently to their use in biomethane production. This study examined the theoretical potential of organic waste fractions for valorization in Austria. Further, it provides a theoretical overview of biomethane production and nutrient-recovery potential.ResultsThis analysis revealed a total substrate potential of 13 Mt per year in Austria, with the highest contribution from manure. Over 900 million Nm3 of biomethane could potentially be produced from organic waste fractions. Furthermore, developing organic waste fractions as an energy source could improve the impact of the natural gas consuming sectors on climate, reducing 2.4 Mt of CO2 emissions annually. Regarding nutrient recovery, more than 60 kt of N and 20 kt of P could potentially be recovered per year.ConclusionThe study shows a high potential for producing biomethane from organic waste fractions in Austria. The overall production potential could substitute up to 11% of the Austrian natural gas demand, which could highly decrease the CO2 emissions from fossil energy carriers. Furthermore, a high nutrient recovery potential was identified for an inclusive implementation of an efficient recovery.
Highlights
In 2011, the European Union published “a roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050”, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 to 95% by 2050 compared to their levels in 1990 [1]
The potential calculations were carried out using reference values for nutrient recovery and biomethane production from literature and applying them to the reported annual waste generated in Austria
Description of the analyzed system This study focuses on the theoretical valorization potential of biogenic waste streams in Austria according to their methane, P and N recovery potential
Summary
In 2011, the European Union published “a roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050”, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 to 95% by 2050 compared to their levels in 1990 [1]. This should help to limit the global temperature rise to a maximum of 2 °C. This study examined the theoretical potential of organic waste fractions for valorization in Austria It provides a theoretical overview of biomethane production and nutrient-recovery potential
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