Risk Perception Assessment of Biological Methanation as an Energy and a Carbon Source Author: Johanny Perez Sierra, M.Sc. – Researcher and Doctoral candidate at the University of Hohenheim, D-70599 Stuttgart, Email: j.perezsierra@uni-hohenheim.de Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Claudia Bieling – Director of the Chair Societal Transition and Agriculture (430b) – Email: claudia.bieling@uni-hohenheim.de, University of Hohenheim, Schloss Museumsflügel, D-70599 Stuttgart. Dr. Dirk Scheer – Researcher at the University of Stuttgart, Research Center for Interdisciplinary Risk and Innovation Studies (ZIRIUS) – Email: dirk.scheer@sowi.uni-stuttgart.de, Seidenstraße 36, D-70174 Stuttgart.
Research Area Biogas Introduction and goals Methane is the major part of biogas and represents a feasible and flexible form of storable chemical energy. The methane content of biogas can be increased by the water-gas shift reaction (e.g. with H2 from electrolysis) to the extent that the product can be directly fed into the existing natural gas network (power to gas, PtG). In addition to the energy use, biomethane could alternatively be used as a carbon source for industrial processes, such as the synthesis of methanol, cyanide, and acetylene. The use of biomethane in process engineering and electricity production involves various risks such as security in case of H2 leakages, cheaper substitute sources of platform chemicals and energy, policy-driven incentives, scalability and return on investment. Furthermore, there are potential threats to the environment when producing electricity from biogas in terms of effects on water bodies, land use, and increasing demand for raw materials (Götz et al. 2016, De Bucy et al. 2016 Kabasci et al. 2011 Fusi et al. 2016). For the successful use of biomethane as a source of energy and chemicals, the risk perception of the key players must be examined in addition to the assessment of the technological feasibility. The risk perception for specific applications of biogas as PtG and feedstock use of biomethane in the chemical industry is still largely unexplored. Analyzing risk perception is an essential step to involve stakeholders in the implementation of any technological innovation. In this regard, the purpose of this project is to assess the risk perceived in using biomethane as a platform substance for the chemical industry and as an energy source in smart grids.
Methods and approach In the course of this project, targeted interviews with selected stakeholders will be conducted. Hereby, the interview partners are chosen from the biogas sector as well as industry representatives working in the fields of the carbon, pharmaceutical and hydrogen fields. The project will also approach political institutions which promote biogas production. To choose the specific interviewees several criteria are defined, such as: relationship with the topic, geographical proximity, willingness to participate, or conflicts of interest. Possible interview subjects for the detection of risk perception and acceptance are: Degree of technical knowledge Safety concerns (e.g. gas explosion) Economic profitability/ willingness to pay Environmental concerns (climate protection) Supply potential (production, distribution, storage, application)
The results of the interviews are collected and evaluated by means of the software for qualitative research "Atlas.ti©".
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Literature review and framework of an analytical approach to assess the risk perception of technological innovations and risk management with focus in the field of biomethane as an energy and carbon source.
Carrying out interviews with selected stakeholders in the value chain for biomethane production as a material and energy source (e.g. biogas producers, chemical industry, and energy suppliers in the region of Baden Württemberg).
Synthesis of recognized risk perception for PtG and use of biomethane as a carbon source. Elaboration of recommendations for policy makers and the industry. Illustration 1. : Work plan framework of the project.
Expected results By estimating the market expectation of these technologies, the implementation and commercialization of biomethane can be facilitated. Ultimately, this project will identify further research requirements to better understand the potential implications of these technologies. As a result of the investigation, recommendations for the implementation of biomethane as a source of energy and carbon will be derived to support decision-makers from politics and industry in Baden-Württemberg.
References De Bucy, J. (2016): The Potential of Power-to-Gas: Technology review and economic potential assessment. Project of ENEA Consulting, Foundation Truck and EIT KIC Inno Energy. Paris, France. Fusi, A.; Bacenetti, J.; Fiala, M.; Azapagic, A. (2016): Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Electricity from Biogas Produced by Anaerobic Digestion. In Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 4, p. 26. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2016.00026. Götz, Manuel; Lefebvre, Jonathan; Mörs, Friedemann; McDaniel Koch, Amy; Graf, Frank; Bajohr, Siegfried et al. (2016): Renewable Power-to-Gas. A technological and economic review. In Renewable Energy 85, pp. 1371–1390. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.07.066.
Kabasci, S., Ehrenstein, U., Strauch, S., Linneweber, V., Schweizer-Ries, P., Hildebrand, J. (2011): Imageanalyse und Imagewandel der Biogastechnologie unter Einbeziehung sozialwissenschaftlicher und technologischer Aspekte. Project funded by the Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMUB) and commissioned to Fraunhofer UMSICHT und the Forschungsgruppe Umweltpsychologie. FKZ 03KB034.