Comparative life cycle assessment of biogas plant configurations for a demand oriented biogas supply for flexible power generation

Hahn, H.; Hartmann, Kilian; Bühle, Lutz; Wachendorf, M.

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.12.007

Cited by 59 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We look at the production of electrical energy and its overall GHG emissions where 1 kWh el equals one functional unit. In contrast, Hahn et al [15] use primary energy equivalents in their ecological assessment. We include the global warming potential as a main impact category.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the methodology presented in [15], this paper uses an LCA approach to examine the GHG effects of flexible power generation in biogas plants. We look at the production of electrical energy and its overall GHG emissions where 1 kWh el equals one functional unit.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We include the global warming potential as a main impact category. In addition to the global warming potential, Hahn et al [15] also reflect on the impact caused by the categories acidification and eutrophication. While Hochloff and Braun [14] assess model plants, our research analyses two existing biogas plants and their specific technical requirements.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The role of flexible biogas plants for electricity supply in a renewables-based energy system has already been assessed in several studies [7][8][9]14,15]. Hahn et al [7] analyse flexibilization concepts of biogas plants, and Hahn et al [9] examine the costs of a demand-oriented biogas supply and the impact on the biogas storage capacities required for flexible power generation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increasing the installed capacity by a factor of 3.3 (0.6 to 2 MW) achieves the best economic results. Hahn et al [15] performed life cycle assessments (LCA) of different biogas plants supplying biogas in a demand-oriented way. They found that demand-oriented biogas supply reduces the need for biogas storage capacities for flexible power generation and results in lower environmental effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Flexible power generation scenarios for biogas plants operated in Germany: impacts on economic viability and GHG emissions

Lauer

Dotzauer

Hennig

et al. 2016

Int. J. Energy Res.

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SUMMARYBiogas plants enable power to be generated in a flexible way so that variable, renewable energy sources can be integrated into the energy system. In Germany, the Renewable Energy Sources Act promotes flexible power generation in biogas plants. Two existing biogas plants in flexible operation were analyzed with respect to economic viability and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to assess the feasibility of flexible operation. To do this, a biogas technology simulation model was developed to reproduce the technical design of both biogas plants and to link this design with twelve flexibilization scenarios. The evaluation of the economic viability is based on a discounting method of investment appraisal. For assessing the level of GHG emissions, the life cycle assessment method has been applied. The results show that the profitability of flexibilization is contingent upon premium payments promoting flexibility and direct sales resulting from a higher electrical efficiency of new or additionally installed combined heat and power units. Overall, with respect to profitability, the results of the flexible power generation scenarios are dependent upon the properties of the technical plant, such as its power generation and gas storage capacities. Relative GHG emissions from flexible biogas plants show significantly lower values than for referenced fossil gas-steam power stations. Among the various scenarios, the results reveal that the level of GHG emissions especially depends on the number of operating hours of the additional combined heat and power unit(s). The results of the analyzed biogas plants showed no direct correlation between GHG emissions and the economic benefits. Overall, a flexible power generation of biogas plants may improve the economic viability as well as result in lower GHG emissions in comparison with a conventional base load operation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Flexible power generation scenarios for biogas plants operated in Germany: impacts on economic viability and GHG emissions

Lauer

Dotzauer

Hennig

et al. 2016

Int. J. Energy Res.

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Apple pomace management by anaerobic digestion and composting: a life cycle assessment

Ampese

Ziero

Velásquez

et al. 2022

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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The food industry generates large volumes of organic by‐products, which require proper environmentally friendly disposal. In the case of the apple‐processing industry, apple pomace constitutes 25–30% of the original apple weight. The conventional treatment of food industry by‐products involves composting, which releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. This study presents an environmental assessment of apple pomace management technologies for industrial juice processing. The life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology was applied as a tool for evaluating the technological routes of composting (method conventionally used) and anaerobic digestion (AD) (an innovative technological route). The main change proposed to the current process would be the implementation of anaerobic reactors in the apple industry, avoiding the transport of apple pomace to the composting unit and producing bioenergy from the burning of methane‐rich biogas. The results showed a reduction in the environmental impacts in the system composed of AD of apple pomace. In the categories related to eutrophication and acidification, a reduction of approximately 50% was obtained when comparing AD with composting. The global warming potential and greenhouse gas emissions showed a significant reduction with the adoption of AD, due to the conversion of biogas into energy and its use by the industry. In conclusion, the implementation of AD technology for the management of apple pomace can be a promising alternative to recover bioenergy and decrease the environmental impacts caused by the apple‐juice processing industry. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Development of a Model for Water Scrubbing‐Based Biogas Upgrading and Biomethane Compression

Ghaib

2017

Chem Eng & Technol

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Biomethane is an easily storable, renewable energy source that is applicable to the sectors electricity, heat, and transport. It is mostly obtained from biogas by different upgrading technologies. At present, the most common technology is water scrubbing because of its reliability and simplicity. A methodology for designing as well as for evaluating and optimizing water scrubbing plants including biomethane compression is introduced. To demonstrate possible applications of this methodology, a zero‐emission water scrubbing process characterized by under‐pressure regeneration of washing water is modeled and investigated by a sensitivity analysis.

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Comparative life cycle assessment of biogas plant configurations for a demand oriented biogas supply for flexible power generation

Cited by 59 publications

References 19 publications

Flexible power generation scenarios for biogas plants operated in Germany: impacts on economic viability and GHG emissions

Flexible power generation scenarios for biogas plants operated in Germany: impacts on economic viability and GHG emissions

Apple pomace management by anaerobic digestion and composting: a life cycle assessment

Development of a Model for Water Scrubbing‐Based Biogas Upgrading and Biomethane Compression

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