On the (un)successful deployment of renewable energies: territorial context matters. A conceptual framework and an empirical analysis of biogas projects

Abstract

Given the goal set by the French government to open 1000 biogas plants by 2020, we believe it is important to investigate the factors linked to the success or failure of anaerobic digestion projects, especially as the inherent challenges mean that there are barely 300 in operation today. We thus developed a conceptual framework to help us to study territorial energy transition projects which we applied to an empirical analysis of the biogas production process. We conducted a quantitative study (logit model with 91 anaerobic digestion projects) and a qualitative study (49 semi-structured interviews and 455 articles from the regional daily press) to identify and understand the processes that anaerobic digestion projects go through for a successful outcome or, conversely, to ultimately fail. Our findings indicate that projects may be abandoned or interrupted due to the presence of a group of objectors who are often wary of such projects and do not trust the project leaders. Lack of anticipation and early dialogue tend to inhibit success. Furthermore, social acceptance appears to be correlated with proximity to the biogas plants but not to the size of the digester. Finally, operating and/or investment subsidies are seen to have a positive and significant effect on a project’s success. In this study, we highlight the need to implement place-based policies rather than one-size-fits-all policies to develop renewable energy in specific regions.

Are citizens ready to accept the deployment of biogas? A study of the environmental effort in France

“…Young people are more in favour of the energy transition and are prepared to pay an increase in their electricity bills to promote the deployment of biogas. Awareness of the need to accelerate the transition is very strong in this age group, if the latest results of the Eurobarometer on citizen support for climate action [9] are to be believed.…”

“…Thus, it is universally recognised that the renewable energy industry can play a major role in providing solutions. The development of these renewable energies is now possible thanks to increasing technological progress and growing public investment (Bourdin and Nadou, 2020 ;Robyns et al, 2021). However, these alternative energies to fossil fuels are not without problems of social acceptability (Schumacher et al, 2019).…”

Recovery of Nutrients from Residual Streams Using Ion-Exchange Membranes: Current State, Bottlenecks, Fundamentals and Innovations

“…The second stage consists in the separation of the gas, liquid, and solid phases. Biogas is collected, purified and then used for energy production [ 50 ]. Brushed screens, screw presses, sieve drums, and sieve and decanter centrifuges are used in separation processes [ 51 ].…”

The Effect of Electromagnetic Microwave Radiation on Methane Fermentation of Selected Energy Crop Species

“…In such an operating system of agricultural biogas plants, the use of MW is not sensible according to economic reasons. However, it should be emphasized that the model of biogas energy for cogeneration is often regarded as unjustified in economic and ecological terms [14]. At present, other methods are considered to be more prospective for the effective use of potential biogas energy and reduction in GHG emissions [15].…”