biogas

Biogas can be either collected directly from landfill sites or produced using digesters or gasification technologies. Its main components are carbon dioxide (30 – 40%) and methane (60 – 70%) which, if released in un-combusted form, are potent greenhouse gases. It is possible to transform any type of organic waste into biogas, from effluents that are treated at sewage purification plants to household waste in solid waste methanisation units. Slurries from livestock farms, agricultural waste and energy crops can be methanised either in small agricultural units or in centralised co-digestion units.

Biogas can be converted into electrical and thermal energy in a combined heat and power plant (CHP). Some of the electrical energy may be used to cover the electricity requirements of the biogas plant. Biogas can also be used as a fuel for vehicles running on natural gas or be re-injected into the natural gas distribution network.

The use of biogas plant with combined heat and power systems makes a twofold contribution to climate protection: the unchecked discharge of methane into the atmosphere is prevented and the burning of fossil energy sources is reduced by generating renewable energy.