Biogas an all-rounder

Biogas Taking the World by Storm

Foreword by Josef Pellmeyer, president of the German Biogas Association

The German biogas industry is back on track. Despite suffering a low period during 2007 and 2008, more biogas plants than ever before were built during 2009. Such development is also spreading quickly abroad. Ever more countries have recognised the significance of renewable energy as a source of secure, clean power generation. Today, over 40 countries have introduced legislation mimicking the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

Germany is the world market leader in all three of the most important renewable energy sectors – wind, solar and biogas. Biogas “made in Germany” is now a real export hit. Ever more German companies are establishing subsidiaries abroad, chiefly in neighbouring European countries where development is moving at breakneck speed. First and foremost among these is Italy, where an extremely attractive remuneration system is in place, though the UK, the Czech Republic and France are also investing increasingly in climate-neutral energy from digesters.

Demand for biogas plants is, however, also rising far beyond the European continent. New facilities are being constructed in South America, China, India and Canada. Each country has very different motives for investing in this technology. In the UK, for example, finding a solution to problems of waste disposal is a top priority, as to date, the bulk of biological waste has been deposited in landfill sites on the island. Biogas therefore provides the far more constructive, forward-thinking approach that Britain wishes to adopt for the future.

In many other countries, independent, stable energy supply takes precedence. In developing countries in particular, small, decentralised biogas plants often provide the sole possibility for generating and using power and heat in remote regions. The need for recycling management and solutions to manure-related problems are other reasons why many countries are backing biogas. Equally, CO₂ certificates provide no small incentive for investing in this form of power generation.

This diversity of motives and fields of application is reflected in the varied list of countries from which German companies receive enquiries – from Africa to Northern Europe and from Central America to China. In the majority of locations, organic waste is the main feedstock for fermentation. As was the case in Germany ten years ago, the substrate used by plant operators in “biogas-exploiting, developing countries” is primarily biogenic waste material which accumulates and must be disposed of anyway. Even in Germany, it was not until a renewable raw materials bonus was introduced to the EEG in 2004 that the use of such materials became worthwhile – giving new impetus to the application of biogas in Germany.

The majority of countries have not yet reached this stage. They are on the threshold of a development which is sure to pick up real speed over the coming years. German technology and expertise will help to drive forward the use of biogas in power generation worldwide. And this brochure will doubtless also assist in ensuring that knowledge of biogas generation, biogas technology and potential for use becomes wider spread. The first edition met with an exceedingly positive response, it received praise from many quarters and is of great import both for the biogas industry and for the companies themselves.

The same motivations lie behind publication of this issue. Together with Solarpraxis, the German Biogas Association wishes to expand the reach of knowledge related to biogas use, to encourage the construction of biogas plants and to contribute to the growth of biogas use across the globe.

I wish you great enjoyment in reading and great success in switching to a future fuelled by biogas!

Warm regards,

Josef Pellmeyer