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 Inputs
Biological Ac*vity
Outputs
Manure Substrates • Corn Silage • Wheat • Grass (hay) • Food Waste • Others
Anaerobic Digester
• Microbes • Heat • No oxygen
Digested Solids
Biogas (50-‐75% Methane)
What is Biogas? – Outputs and End Uses Biological Ac*vity
Outputs
End Uses
Heat
Combus5on
Anaerobic Digester
Electricity
Biogas Solids
Direct Use Upgrade to Pipeline Quality
• Fer*lizer • Animal Bedding
Transporta*on Fuel
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
Split Ownership with Energy Utility Electricity
On-‐site Combus4on
Mixer
Corn Silage Grass (100%)
Farmer Responsible U4lity Responsible
Biogas
Digester
Storage Tank
Sell to U4lity
Solids
Fer4lizer
Upgrade (cleaning) Process
RNG
Inject into NG Pipeline
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
Three-Ring Digester Design • On-‐farm Heat • Wood Drying
# Livestock: 0 # Acres in Cul4va4on: 230 ha # Years in Opera4on: 4 Biogas
1 MW Electricity
Mixer
Corn Silage Grass (100%)
Combus4on
Storage
Solids
Fer4lizer
…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
Municipal Sludge (1km away) No Sludge to Landfill
On-‐Site Drier • 25% Solids In • 90% Solids Out
Solids
Beneficial Heat Usage
Profit = €49 per ton sludge (wet)
Cement Plant (50km away) Incinerated with coal Decrease volume coal
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 & Policy Context for Germany’s Biogas Success 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
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