The Potential of Biogas: Lessons from Germany

Steve Plachinski, Aleia McCord, Mirna Santana, Jeff Starke, Sarah Stefanos

CHANGE-IGERT, UW-Madison

Outline

1.  Introduction to Biogas

2.  The World Leader – Germany

3.  Three Lessons from Germany

4.  Social and Policy Considerations

What is Biogas? – Inputs

Biological  Ac*vity  Inputs   Outputs  

Manure  

Anaerobic  Digester  

Biogas  (50-­‐75%  Methane)  

Substrates  •   Corn  Silage  

•   Wheat  •   Grass  (hay)  •   Food  Waste  

•   Others   •   Microbes  •   Heat  •   No  oxygen  

Digested  Solids  

What is Biogas? – Outputs and End Uses

Biological  Ac*vity   Outputs   End  Uses  

Solids  

Biogas  

•   Fer*lizer  •   Animal  Bedding  

Upgrade  to  Pipeline  Quality  

Combus5on  

Transporta*on  Fuel  

Direct  Use  

Heat  

Electricity  

Anaerobic  Digester  

Germany – The World Leader in Biogas

Sources: Beyond Biofuels: Renewable Energy Opportunities for US Farmers, Heinrich Böll Stiftung (2010) Biogas: Rethinking the Midwest’s Potential, Peter Taglia (2010)

Three Lessons from Germany

1.  Business Models –  Industry pioneers; co-ownership; partnering

with universities, nearby communities, energy utilities

2.  System Scale and Design –  Large vs. small systems; unique system designs

3.  Innovative Inputs and End Uses –  Substrates; additives; uses of heat; pipeline gas

Industry Pioneer and University Partnership

Co-ownership and Community Partnership

Fer4lizer  

Mixer  

Corn  Silage  Grass  (100%)  

Upgrade  (cleaning)  Process  

Storage  Tank  

Sell  to  U4lity  

Farmer  Responsible   U4lity  Responsible  

Biogas  On-­‐site  

Combus4on  

Digester

Electricity  

Split Ownership with Energy Utility

RNG  

Inject  into  NG  Pipeline  

Solids  

Integrative Business Model How Can Wisconsin Do This?

–  Consider a variety of ownership structures (utilities, companies, etc.)

–  Work with researchers (universities, etc.) –  Identify possible partnerships with local

community or businesses –  Synergies with other

bioenergy resources (ex. ethanol and biogas)

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA (2010)

Small-Scale System

Large-Scale System

Fer4lizer  

1  MW  Electricity  

•   On-­‐farm  Heat  •   Wood  Drying  

Mixer  

Corn  Silage  Grass  (100%)  

Combus4on  

Storage   Solids  

Biogas  

#  Livestock:  0  #  Acres  in  Cul4va4on:  230  ha    

 #  Years  in  Opera4on:  4  

Three-Ring Digester Design

…and Fully Automated

New Technologies and Designs

System Scale and Design How Can Wisconsin Do This?

–  Small-scale biogas systems are possible

–  Consider a variety of system designs

–  Explore new technologies that can lower costs and increase system versatility

Inputs – 100% Crops (no manure)

Inputs – Digester Additives

End Use - Drying Wood

End Use - Heat for Community Use

End Use – Adding Value

On-­‐site  Combus4on  Electricity  

Heat  

On-­‐Site  Drier  •   25%  Solids  In  •   90%  Solids  Out  

Municipal  Sludge  

(1km  away)  Solids  

Cement  Plant  (50km  away)  

Incinerated  with  coal  

No Sludge to Landfill Beneficial Heat Usage Decrease volume coal

Profit = €49 per ton sludge (wet)

End Use – Renewable Natural Gas

Innovative Inputs and End Uses How Can Wisconsin Do This?

–  Conduct more research on optimal substrate combinations

–  Identify potential substrate sources from on-farm and non-farm sources

–  Work with neighbors and local community to determine best end uses

–  Maximize use of combustion heat

Social Context / Motivations 1.  Progressive approach to waste 2.  Climate Change 3.  Energy Security German Policies 1.  Feed-in-Tariff is instrumental 2.  Result of a bottom-up process

Social & Policy Context for Germany’s Biogas Success

Different social context and policy environment in Wisconsin • How is the motivation for biogas different in Wisconsin? • What might Wisconsin’s social and policy environment need to be to grow its biogas industry?

Conclusions

1.  Business Models

2.  System Scale and Design

3.  Innovative Inputs and End Uses

4.  Social Context and Policy Environment are Important Factors

Acknowledgements

•  German hosts –  Robert Höre –  Jurgen and family –  Bernd Roth –  Rolf Weigel –  Petra Hess –  Klaus Hoppe –  Paul Thürwächter

•  Trip Participants –  Gary Radloff –  Amanda Bilek –  Ted Petith

•  The CHANGE program –  Rob Beattie –  Carmela Diosana –  Jonathan Patz