Regional Sustainable Biogas Solutions

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One of the Energy union’s main five dimensions states the importance of supply security, where Europe needs to strive towards creating a more diversified platform of fuels and energy sources. Large fluctuations in prices based on global trends and political instability has increased the vulnerability of our energy systems that are becoming progressively more affected by outside impact. A key challenge for the SBP area will therefore be to address the challenge of diversifying our fuel mix, but at the same time adapting to a more decentralized and inter-connected energy system. This is the challenge that our project wants address, by focusing on one of the key pieces of the puzzle; the potential of creating viable self-sufficient biogas solutions. Based on prior research and knowledge, we have noticed several common denominators that hinder the further development of biogas implementation. One example is the business model and the economics of biogas where it becomes obvious that transportation becomes an asymmetric cost generator. The first transportation challenge is to create local initiatives to minimize the transportation of substrates/biomass to the plant. The second is creating business opportunity where the gas can either be used locally (CHP or heat), or injected to the grid as the transportation of gas is highly costly as well. Last but not least, is the importance of having a solution for the bio-fertilizer that is created from the digestion process (dewatering or farmer cooperation being plausible solutions). Another common challenge is the lack of clear models for creating incentives for inhabitants/farmers/buyers to actively participate in gathering waste, using bio fertilizer and acquiring locally produced biogas (having an active role). We would therefore like to apply for the seed financing to be able to build up a partnership and develop the most beneficial components of the project to create an entire application for the next call in the SBP.

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