Economic and Global Warming Potential Assessment of Flexible Power Generation with Biogas Plants

Abstract

Demand-oriented power generation by power plants is becoming increasingly important due to the rising share of intermittent power sources in the energy system. Biogas plants can contribute to electricity grid stability through flexible power generation. This work involved conducting an economic and global warming potential (GWP) assessment of power generation with biogas plants that focused on the Austrian biogas sector. Twelve biogas plant configurations with electric rated outputs ranging from 150–750 kW and different input material compositions were investigated. The results from the economic assessment reveal that the required additional payment (premium) to make power generation economically viable ranges from 158.1–217.3 € MWh−1. Further, the GWP of biogas plant setups was analyzed using life cycle assessment. The results range from −0.42 to 0.06 t CO2 eq. MWh−1 and show that the 150 kW plant configurations yield the best outcome regarding GWP. Electricity from biogas in all scenarios outperformed the compared conventional electricity sources within the GWP. Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation costs were calculated by relating the needed premium to the CO2 eq. saving potential and range from 149.5–674.1 € (t CO2 eq.)−1.

Economic and Technical Evaluation of Flexible Power Generation Scenarios for a Biogas Plant

“…These values are rather low if compared to premiums calculated in similar studies. A required premium of 158.1-217.3 EUR/MWh for newly built biogas plants was calculated in the study of Saracevic et al [14]. The difference between the feed-in tariff for electricity from biogas plants in Austria and the average electricity price at the EPEX spot intraday market during the simulated period was 155.0 EUR/MWh (175.0 EUR/MWh for biogas plants with a particularly high heat utilization).…”

“…Lauer et al [13] combined an economic assessment with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the ecological impact of flexible power generation with biogas plants. An assessment of the global warming potential in course of a LCA coupled with an economic assessment of flexible power generation concepts for Austrian biogas plants was conducted by Saracevic et al [14]. Ertem and Acheampong [15] investigated the effects of flexible power generation concepts on the heat efficiency utilization efficiency at German biogas plants.…”

The Analysis of the Economic Effects on the Greening and Recovery of the Sludge Waste Resulting from the Biogas Production Activity

“…The compost platform is a mini plant for the recovery of organic waste in the form of material for gardening, agricultural use, and re-cultivation. During the controlled microbial degradation process decomposition and biological stabilization are performed [64][65][66]. The aeration of the material is carried out by means of compost return measures [66].…”

Biomass Valorization to Bioenergy: Assessment of Biomass Residues’ Availability and Bioenergy Potential in Nigeria

“…It also covers various divisions from agriculture through the industrial, government, and power sectors. However, the socio-economic influence towards bioenergy establishment is another measure of its sustainability [46][47][48].…”