ENERGY FROM BIOGAS AND LANDFILL GAS

ENERGY FROM BIOGAS AND LANDFILL GAS

Abstract

Biogas is a valuable source of fuel in many senses: It is low cost, low in emission, decentralized available in all nations from various sources, it has socio-economic strength especially in rural areas and has an extremely high potential together with biomethane from woody sources. Yet there are a few bottlenecks to be overcome for a large dissemination of the technology. Limits and solutions ranging from research to marketing are discussed in the report.

Introduction

In recent years the interest in bio-fuels has been increasing, motivated on the one hand by the need for reducing green house gas emissions and on the other hand by the desire to improve energy security by reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels. During the last few weeks the desire was rocketed driven by the tremendous increase in oil prices.

Through Directive 2003/ 30 / EC the European Commission has obliged all member states do develop and implement policies to promote the use of bio-fuels in the transport sector. Goals are set at 2% replacement of the transport sector’s energy use by bio-fuels by the end of 2005 and 5.75% replacement by the end of 2010. EU member states have the freedom to choose fuels and policy instruments that fit to their national situation.

Sweden has chosen to promote – beside ethanol – the utilisation of biogas. Switzerland, who is not member of the EU, has taken the same decision on a completely facultative basis driven by the two major associations involved in the gas business, the Biomass Association and the Natural Gas Association.

Based on the experiences gained in these two countries, Task 37 aims to promote the technology worldwide. The opportunities to promote the technology are ample. The Task has decided to take actions in the upcoming years in the following fields:

?? Stimulate research in the area of gas upgrading and disseminate the respective results

?? Provide information on the technology to engineers and decision makers in the member countries

?? Maintain strong contacts with the gas industry to promote the introduction of upgraded biogas into the gas grid and to formulate opportunities where (the expensive and energy intensive gas upgrading process can be minimized.

?? Maintain strong links to car manufacturers and the European Natural Gas Association (ENGVA) to promote the sale of NGV’s driven on mixtures of biogas and natural gas.

?? Maintain exchange of results with ongoing EU and US projects in the field of alternative fuel utilisation and make their finding available to member countries.

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