Biogas Development Research Articles

Critical analysis of non-price actions driving installation of biogas technology to upgrade existing buildings in Ghana: a demand theory approach

The gradual degradation of faeces and other organic materials through the process of fermentation results in the manufacture of biogas. Generally, as the cost of construction increases, the demand for biogas should fall, which in this case is the opposite. Thus, this study seeks to identify drivers of the current surge in the installation of the biogas system in Ghana for the decisions that could be implemented to reinforce gains. This study adopted a quantitative survey-based assessment approach to identify the drivers for policy formulation. The results show that reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, training of trainees and the community, cost savings, public education, bank loans, available waste stock, etc. are the key drivers accelerating the continuous growth of the industry in Ghana. Furthermore, a high degree of agreement was observed from the participants regarding the non-price drivers of biogas. The results present government agencies including the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Commission and industries with an action plan to restructure the concept of renewable energy sources in Ghana. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive outlook of biogas generation system, which could be explicitly used in capacity development to create a sustainable progress of biogas development in Ghana.

Financial Aspects Of Biogas Production From Livestock Waste To Meet Household Energy Needs

The livestock sector has significant potential to contribute to methane emissions, which are the second largest after CO2, accounting for 13% of total emissions. One solution to control methane emissions is the use of biogas reactors. This study aims to assess the financial aspects of biogas production from livestock waste to meet household energy needs and to determine its financial feasibility. The research employs a qualitative approach that emphasizes flexibility, direct interaction with research subjects, and sensitive interpretation of data context. Data collection was conducted through a literature review by examining and analyzing literature related to the research topic. The literature study results indicate that constructing biogas reactors using cow dung has viable potential for development, especially as a replacement for LPG. However, replacing wood fuel depends highly on the local price of firewood. This study recommends that, for the development of biogas from cattle farm waste to replace firewood, interest subsidies or other assistance are needed to make the development feasible. Additionally, to encourage public interest in developing biogas reactors for cattle farm waste, financial incentives in the form of interest subsidies through program loans are necessary. Developing biogas reactors from cattle farm waste for household energy needs is economically viable, especially as a substitute for LPG, but requires additional support such as interest subsidies to replace firewood. Financial incentives are essential to attract public interest in developing these biogas reactors.

From failure to fairness: A call for accountability within household biogas development

The purpose of this perspective piece is to advocate for a paradigm shift in biogas research, and argues for the need to centre accountability and justice in household biogas development research and discussion Drawing from biogas literature and the authors' own experiences in South Asia and Southern Africa, the perspective illustrates how a lack of accountability in biogas programmes has led to negative outcomes and harm to beneficiaries of top-down biogas programmes. The article emphasises the critical need for a research agenda that prioritises accountability and justice, particularly in the context of the increasing number of biogas installations driven by carbon credits and international aid. It proposes a dual approach: firstly, an in-depth analysis of the impacts of accountability deficits in biogas projects; and secondly, strategies for effectively embedding accountability into programme design. The perspective also advocates for incorporating restorative justice principles in domestic biogas research, starting from project initiation, to ensure there are plans for amending the harm caused should projects fail to achieve their intended outcomes. This approach is essential for holding governments and institutions accountable in large-scale biogas installation. The perspective concludes with a call for an overhaul of the aid and biogas sectors, highlighting the necessity for systemic solutions and a more profound engagement with the practical challenges of biogas implementation.

Assessing Potential of Biogas: Harnessing Sustainable Energy from Biomass for Renewable Solutions (Review)

This systematic review evaluates the potential of biogas as a sustainable energy source derived from biomass for renewable solutions. Biogas production involves the anaerobic digestion of organic materials, such as agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and livestock manure, to generate methane-rich gas for electricity generation, heat production, and transportation fuel. The systematic review study comprehensively examines various aspects of biogas, including its production process, environmental benefits, economic viability, technical considerations, challenges, social impacts, circular economy principles, technological innovations, public perception, policy recommendations, and alignment with global climate goals and Sustainable Development Goals. Key findings indicate that biogas offers significant potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce organic waste pollution, promote sustainable agriculture, and create economic opportunities. However, challenges such as technological limitations, financial constraints, and policy barriers impede the widespread adoption of biogas. Policy recommendations emphasize the importance of supportive regulatory frameworks, incentive programs, and international cooperation to facilitate biogas development. Overall, this systematic review provides understanding into the role of biogas in advancing renewable energy solutions and underscores the need for concerted efforts to realize its full potential in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Biogas utilization and its socioeconomic implications: exploring the drivers of energy selection in Southern Ethiopia’s Gurage zone

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the potential and challenges of biogas utilization as an alternative and sustainable energy source in the Gurage zone of Southern Ethiopia, where traditional energy sources such as firewood and charcoal are widely used.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a mixed-methods approach to collect and analyze data from different sources and perspectives. The research collects quantitative data from structured interviews with 200 rural households who use biogas or other energy sources, and qualitative data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions with biogas experts, local authorities and community leaders. Socioeconomic analysis is conducted to assess the importance of biogas in terms of income, expenditure, health and environmental benefits, and a multivariate probit model is used to identify the factors influencing biogas energy adoption among rural households.FindingsThe findings indicate that biogas users are more likely to substitute traditional energy sources with biogas for cooking, lighting and heating purposes. The model reveals that age, sex, education level, land size and livestock quantity influence biogas energy adoption, whereas income, distance to market and access to credit do not have a significant effect. The findings also show that biogas users have higher income, lower expenditure, better health and lower greenhouse gas emissions than nonusers.Research limitations/implicationsThe study concludes that the socioeconomic impact of biogas varies among households based on location and lifestyle. The study also highlights the need for further research on the technical, institutional and behavioral aspects of biogas utilization in different contexts.Practical implicationsTo address the challenges faced by biogas users and their energy choices, such as lack of awareness, maintenance, quality control and affordability, the study suggests exploring biogas energy to meet the diverse needs of cattle owners in different regions. The study also recommends enhancing the capacity of local stakeholders, promoting public–private partnerships, and developing supportive policies and regulations for biogas development in Ethiopia.Social implicationsThe study implies that biogas utilization can contribute to social development by improving the living standards, health status and gender equality of rural households. The study also suggests that biogas utilization can foster social cohesion and empowerment by creating opportunities for collective action, knowledge sharing and income generation among biogas users and their communities.Originality/valueThe study provides a comprehensive and empirical analysis of the socioeconomic landscape of biogas utilization and the determinants of energy choice in the Gurage zone of Southern Ethiopia. The study also offers valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders involved in biogas development in Ethiopia and other developing countries.

Designing a biogas development model for Iranian villages (The application of grounded theory)

Energy sustainability, especially in agriculture, has been considered due to population growth and the lack of fossil fuel resources for future generations. Extending renewable energies, including biogas, is essential for sustainable development. This qualitative research was designed and implemented to determine how to extend biogas in rural areas in Iran. The study used grounded theory to guide data collection and analysis and model presentation. The sample included experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Renewable Energy Organization of Iran selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected by field observations and interviews and analyzed by the coding process (open, axial, and selective coding), as a result of which ten core categories were extracted. They were presented as intervening conditions, contextual conditions, and strategies and used to develop a paradigmatic model for promoting biogas use in Iran's rural areas. Finally, based on the results, suggestions are presented to accelerate the process.

Biogas situation and development in Thai Swine Farm

The biogas technology in Thailand has been developed and adopted for many years, especially in the swine farm industry. The objectives of the biogas development are based on three main problems; i.e. (i) to reduce the appalling odor, (ii) to treat the wastewater, (iii) and to produce the biogas which is known as a renewable energy sources from the anaerobic digestion wastewater treatment processes. In this paper, the biogas situation including the technology development for swine farm in Thailand, which are mainly used the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) bioreactor system, was discussed. From the results, we found that 11.6 million cubic meters of biogas per year would be produced under the government subsidization projects which gas then be used for various proposes; e.g. electricity generation, LPG or fuel oil substitution in boiler and heating system

Experimental and Numerical Study of the Laminar Burning Velocity of Biogas–Ammonia–Air Premixed Flames

Biogas is a gas resulting from the digestion of biomass, which means transforming organic waste into energy. It is composed essentially of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and can also contain ammonia (NH3) as an impurity. Biogas is generally used to generate electricity or produce heat in a cogeneration system. With the renewed interest in ammonia and the increasing development of biogas caused by the urge for an energetic transition, those two carbon-neutral fuels are being investigated as a mixture in this study through the laminar burning velocity (LBV). In this paper, the LBV of biogas ammonia air mixtures are investigated experimentally for the first time over a wide range of equivalence ratios and ammonia concentrations. The biogas studied was 60% CH4 and 40% CO2 in volume. The NH3 concentration in the fuel varied from 0 to 50% vol. while the equivalence ratio varied from 0.8 to 1.2. The experiments were conducted at constant pressure in a constant volume vessel at 300 K and 1 bar. Adding ammonia to biogas decreases the LBV while the Markstein length is not very sensitive to ammonia addition. The CEU-NH3-Mech-1.1 and Okafor mechanisms show good agreement with the experimental laminar burning velocity. The effect of radiative heat losses on the measurement is also investigated.

Biomass price as a key factor for the further development of biogas and biomethane use – Methodology and policy implications

Intentionally planted biomass is one of the important possible sources for biomethane production. The production cost of biomass plays a key role in both a farmer's decision to grow it and the efficiency of biomethane production. Unlike conventional agricultural crops, biomass grown for biogas or biomethane plants does not have a direct market price. The paper presents a methodology for determining the limit of biomass production price based on modelling lost revenue from planting conventional crops over the lifetime of the biogas or biomethane plant, considering local agrotechnical practices and soil and climatic conditions. The application of the methodology is demonstrated by providing maize biomass for a reference biogas plant and conditions of the Czech Republic. The production price of maize silage is in the range of 25.6–29.4 EUR/tFM for base line scenario of conventional crop prices. The increase in commodity prices in 2021 and 2022 leads to an increase in the biomass production price up to 34–43 EUR/tFM. The paper also discusses the influence of the biomass input price on the cost of biomethane production.

Spatial distribution and influencing factors of China's household biogas: evidence from provincial-level data.

To address the adjustment of the Chinese agricultural industry and to better promote the development of Chinese household biogas, this article summarizes and analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of the type and number of biogas digesters, biogas production, biogas fermentation materials, and methods of fermentation residue utilization and ecological agriculture with household biogas by compiling a dataset covering 31 provincial administrative regions in China. The results show that hydraulic biogas digesters are distributed mainly in northwestern and northeastern China; in addition, continuously stirred biogas digesters and bottom-discharging biogas digesters are distributed mainly in southern and northern China, respectively. Because of temperature and population, the Sichuan and Henan Provinces have the highest number of biogas digesters and biogas production. The type of biogas fermentation materials depends on the local raw materials. Biogas slurry and residue are widely used as fertilizers; furthermore, biogas slurry is used for seed soaking in northeastern and southern China, and biogas residue is used as feed in central southern and northern China. The "Three-in-one" and "Four-in-one" biogas ecological models are used mostly in southern and northern China, respectively, and both are mainly affected by temperature. Finally, we propose various problems and countermeasures to enhance the development of the household biogas industry in China. Our findings are critical for China's policymakers to adopt effective measures for promoting the development of cleaner energy and the layout of the agricultural industry.

A matter of energy injustice? A comparative analysis of biogas development in Brazil and Italy

Energy transitions have significant implications for justice, as certain regions may experience losses or improvements as a result of decarbonization efforts. The biogas development in Brazil and Italy has been characterized by incidents of injustice in different dimensions and contexts. This article addresses this issue by applying a multi-scalar and multi-horizon structure model developed by Kanger and Sovacool (Kanger and Sovacool, 2022 [1]) to connect these incidents to energy transition dynamics, regarding biogas development, in both countries. Organized into dimensions and clusters, and at different spatial and temporal scales, the obtained data – derived by scientific literature review and analysis of news published by the media – were analyzed from an inventory that gathered 230 incidents of injustice for Brazil and 114 for Italy. Among the results obtained, some differences stand out. In Italy, biogas policies have mainly benefited large plants in the northern region of the country, leading to regional disparities, while in Brazil, the dependence on rainfall has prevented effective incentives for renewable sources, in addition to leading to increased energy costs and social problems. The research also reveals that the regional scale is more relevant for Italy, reflecting the country's political structure. Unlike the Italian reality, in Brazil, the regional spatial scale is neglected, with a greater presence of national scope initiatives. The movement to systematize the contextual factors of biogas injustices in Brazil and Italy can provide insights for policymakers and researchers interested in the dynamics of energy transition and the challenges associated with promoting renewable energies while addressing social and environmental issues.

Production of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Energy Sources: A Review

An economy based on renewable energy sources is the hallmark of responsible companies. Climate policy and energy crisis commitments have led to a search for alternative ways to produce energy. Bioenergy is considered the most consistent renewable energy source due to its economic and environmental benefits. Biogas and biomethane are promising forms of renewable energy derived from widely available evergreen raw materials. Agricultural, animal, industrial and food wastes are excellent substrates used to produce clean and sustainable energy in a circular economy context. Their conversion into biogas and biomethane through the anaerobic digestion (AD) process is an efficient solution to the treatment of waste of different origins. The production and use of biomethane favor important environmental advantages, such as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with those deriving from the use of conventional fossil fuels. This review would like to highlight modern trends and approaches to evaluate processes and strategies to control biogas and biomethane production. In particular, the use of livestock waste for the digestion process and the reuse of the by-product as fertilizer, as well as the potential development of biogas and biomethane as prospects for the improvement and optimization of renewable energy sources, are discussed.

Methanogenesis in biogas reactors under inhibitory ammonia concentration requires community-wide tolerance

Ammonia (NH3) inhibition represents a major limitation to methane production during anaerobic digestion of organic material in biogas reactors. This process relies on co-operative metabolic interactions between diverse taxa at the community-scale. Despite this, most investigations have focused singularly on how methanogenic Archaea respond to NH3 stress. With a high-NH3 pre-adapted and un-adapted community, this study investigated responses to NH3 inhibition both at the community-scale and down to individual taxa. The pre-adapted community performed methanogenesis under inhibitory NH3 concentrations better than the un-adapted. While many functionally important phyla were shared between the two communities, only taxa from the pre-adapted community were robust to NH3. Functionally important phyla were mostly comprised of sensitive taxa (≥ 50%), yet all groups, including methanogens, also possessed tolerant individuals (10–50%) suggesting that potential mechanisms for tolerance are non-specific and widespread. Hidden Markov Model–based phylogenetic analysis of methanogens confirmed that NH3 tolerance was not restricted to specific taxonomic groups, even at the genus level. By reconstructing covarying growth patterns via network analyses, methanogenesis by the pre-adapted community was best explained by continued metabolic interactions (edges) between tolerant methanogens and other tolerant taxa (nodes). However, under non-inhibitory conditions, sensitive taxa re-emerged to dominate the pre-adapted community, suggesting that mechanisms of NH3 tolerance can be disadvantageous to fitness without selection pressure. This study demonstrates that methanogenesis under NH3 inhibition depends on broad-scale tolerance throughout the prokaryotic community. Mechanisms for tolerance seem widespread and non-specific, which has practical significance for the development of robust methanogenic biogas communities.Key points• Ammonia pre-adaptation allows for better methanogenesis under inhibitory conditions.• All functionally important prokaryote phyla have some ammonia tolerant individuals.• Methanogenesis was likely dependent on interactions between tolerant individuals.

The importance of considering agricultural dynamics when discussing agro-environmental sustainability in futures studies of biogas

Biogas from anaerobic digestion is the most developed renewable alternative to fossil gas. Futures studies on the future of biogas discuss different promises on energy decarbonization, agricultural transition and territorial development, but its role in supporting the transition to a sustainable agriculture is debated in several European countries. In political arenas especially, futures studies are considered as strategic instruments that, by proposing possible scenarios, help shape visions of future related technologies. Although in France the debate on biogas includes the possibility of several future paths, we hypothesize here that futures studies do not sufficiently consider the dynamics of agricultural systems when discussing biogas future sustainability. By gathering a corpus of 16 recent futures studies, we show that the vision of biogas sustainability is developed mainly through normative rhetoric on agriculture evolution. Most studies indicate that biogas development can lead to a greening of agricultural systems. Yet, those assertions rest on a limited analysis of the co-evolution of technical and social dynamics in agriculture. Specifically, norms that describe the agency of farmers overlook or underestimate some sustainability risks and opportunities. New futures studies based on biogas’ role in agricultural sociotechnical systems will help policymakers determine what policies are needed for sustainability.

Competition in the conversion of the gas grid: Is the future of biogas biomethane or hydrogen?

Due to the decarbonization of the energy system, natural gas will only play a minor role as an energy source after 2045. To decarbonize the gas supply in the future, there are two options for green gases: hydrogen or biomethane. The injection of green gases into the existing gas infrastructure leads to changes in the gas composition, requiring a consideration of the framework conditions for distribution. Adjustments to the grid for transport may be required. Consequently, this paper presents the main characteristics of hydrogen and biomethane and examines the suitability of the gas infrastructure for their transportation. A case study for the development of gas infrastructure in Germany is presented. The focus is on the further development of biogas, concentrating on the question of which biogas should optimally be upgraded in the future to enable its be distribution in the long term.

Design and optimization of multilayer composite membrane for biomethane enrichment: Process simulations and economics

The depletion of fossil fuels has led to the development of various biogas upgrading techniques that can be a reliable and sustainable energy source. At present, membrane-based gas separation and enrichment have received more acceptance to contend with the traditional biogas upgrading processes. Remarkably, multilayered composite membranes (MCM) fabricated from selective polymers and fillers have achieved high consideration in the field of CO2separation. In this regard, the present study focuses on fabricating and optimizing the porous layer of MCM using Polyether sulfone (PES) and Torlon polymers and their morphological influences on overall membrane performance. The MCM membranes fabricated from the PES porous substrate exhibited 3–4 fold higher permeation than the Torlon. Besides, the effect of zeolite type and % loading on the selective layer performance in CO2gas permeation was examined. From the gas permeation experiments, a 6 % loaded 3A zeolite sample exhibited maximum permeation flux for CO2, which is 1.7 folds compared to the neat Polyether block amide (PEBAX)/PES membrane and 5.8 fold to the neat PEBAX/Torlon without compromising the selectivity. Furthermore, process simulation using Aspen Hysys reveals the economic feasibility of membrane-based biomethane enrichment. Overall, the study results are compared with Robeson’s plot, which reveal the substantial potential of MCM-based membrane technology as a biogas upgrading process and offers assistance in developing an appropriate porous support for MCM.

Waste to Wealth: Vegetable market waste to generate electricity, a design proposal suitable for any medium scale vegetable market in Indian cities

A biogas plant is current energy source and is reasonable to the necessities representing things to come. With the suitable use of the processing innovation, the improvement of financially plausible natural waste biogas digesters which produces power isn't entirely unachievable. The central purpose of the study is to design the proper power generation unit based on organic waste and to calculate the efficiency of power generation at Monda market of Secunderabad, Telangana by taking exemplary and prototype case of Bowenpally market and implementing it. The development of biogas by anaerobic processing of natural waste is an experienced skill that might introduce unmistakable advantages to society. Natural biogas innovation can lighten many grave issues in the agricultural nations, “The model that has been decided for the review, Bowenpally vegetable market, Hyderabad, India has gotten Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consideration for its creative waste administration framework. Modi lauded the one-of-its-sort bioelectricity, bio fuel and bio compost age project in his 73rd episode of radio program Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. The project has scope to foster in areas, for example, country energy shortage, low horticulture yield and waste administration department. Moreover through the usage of biogas innovation harmful ranch waste can be appropriately dealt \ hrough anaerobic processing, age of regular composts and eventually lead to an productive outcome and expansion in result and pay. From examination it will become obvious that markets utilizing digesters frameworks have more prominent profit or advantages than those markets who don't bringing about the conservation and increment practicality of the natural waste.

Are Citizens Ready to Make an Environmental Effort? A Study of the Social Acceptability of Biogas in France.

Despite the potential benefits of anaerobic digestion in the context of climate change and the need to move towards energy transition, there is a lot of resistance to biogas projects. Using a contingent valuation method, we test the extent to which the socio-economic characteristics of populations influence the environmental effort that people are willing to make for the deployment of biogas in a French region. Our results show that young people and people familiar with the biogas process are more inclined to develop biogas. We also highlight that the educational and location aspects should not be neglected in order to increase environmental effort and promote the adoption and development of biogas.

IDENTIFYING MEASURES FOR INCREASING RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION FROM AGROINDUSTRIAL RESIDUES AND WASTES IN UKRAINE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST PRACTICES IN LATVIA

Subject of research. The measures facilitating biogas and biofuels production from agro-industrial wastes and residues. Purpose. To conduct state-of-the-art review of policy measures and actions in Latvia stipulating growth production of biofuels and biogas from agro-industrial residues and wastes. Based on Latvian experience and policy actions, authors will identify key institutional, legal, policy measures and conditions for benefitting from biofuel/biogas production from agro-industrial residues and wastes in Ukraine. Methods. For the research, a systematic approach to factual materials was used, conceptual research through observing and analyzing legal acts and other policy documents, available data etc., and abstract-logical approach to generalize research results and formulate conclusions. The materials used for the studies included publications, research and policy papers, reports of public institutions and NGOs etc. Results. Ukraine is facing energy, economic and social challenges due to the dependence on import of energy resources aggravated due to unprovoked invasion of russian federation. At the same time, Ukraine possessing profound agricultural and food potential has an abundant supply of residues and by-products, combined with agro-industrial wastes. These resources have already found vast applications in Latvia and other EU countries for energy purposes, including production of renewable energy. Key measures for promoting and facilitating biogas and biofuel production in Ukraine should be based on Latvian experience regarding sound and sustainable development of biogas and biofuel industry. Scope of research results. The results are supposed to be used for identifying critical policy needs and policy levers to foster deployment of biofuel technologies as a part of a sustainable value chain in agriculture production and processing in Ukraine.

Barriers to development and adoption of biogas in Mokambo peri-urban of Mufulira, Zambia: how does local government fail to provide renewable energy?

The study aimed to explore the barriers to the development and adoption of biogas and to pinpoint the issues hindering the local government’s role in providing this renewable energy in Mokambo peri-urban area. Employing a qualitative method and case study as a strategy, the study revealed a range of barriers to the development and adoption of biogas technology in the study area. Employing purposive sampling, a total of 25 informants have been selected and interviewed using an interview guide. The study findings identified the factors under four major themes: institutional, situational, technical, and dispositional barriers. The responses from various stakeholders showed an increasing concern, particularly among non-beneficiaries and representatives of the private sector. Additionally, the local representatives and officials acknowledged their failure in providing energy to the common people and explained the limitations behind this failure. The study findings urge the Zambian government to take a practical and methodical approach to establish a strong institutional infrastructure, formulate plans and policies that focus on renewable energy, develop strong public-private partnerships, and encourage research and development. The study also recommends promoting a stable market, improving coordination and public awarenessto address the challenges for the development and adoption of biogas technology, and strengthening the local government’s capacity to provide clean energy in Zambia.