Biogas – efficient electricity, heat and fuel production

In Germany, biogas is produced decentrally in agricultural biogas plants. So far imports of biomass do not play any role.

Biogas production therefore strengthens regional added value, closes material cycles and utilises synergies in situ. Biogas offers agriculture an additional pillar to diversify its economic activities.

Combined heat and power stations (CHP) use biogas to generate electricity and heat. This cogeneration is particularly efficient. The distance to the consumers is bridged by electricity, natural gas, microgas or even local heating networks.

Particularly large biogas potential can be tapped in thinly populated rural areas. But this is not an obstacle for efficient biogas use. Well-directed site selection often brings together agricultural producers and heat consumers.

Primary fuel consumption in Germany 2011 (no including air and rail traffic; in million tons)

Fossil diesel	32,5
Fossil fuel	19,6
Biodiesel	2,4
Vegetable oil	0,019
Bioethanol	1,2

 Source: BMU/BAFA (Federal Office of Economics and Export Control)

Locally successful with biogas

Biogas plant with microgas and local heating network: The Steinfurt example

Some 40 farmers from the surrounding area deliver the substances to run the biogas plant in Steinfurt-Hollich in the Münsterland region. Every day the plant is "fed" with around 60 t of maize silage, manure, slurry and whole plant silage. Farmers take back the fermentation residues and use them as a valuable fertiliser. A combined heat and power station (CHP) located directly next to the biogas plant (digester) generates electricity and heat. However, the biogas can also be transported to the town, which is at a 3.5 km distance from the plant. A biogas pipe has been laid to make this possible. In the town, another CHP uses the biogas, heats a building and supplies a local heating network.

Direct feed-in of treated biogas: The Straelen example

Since December 2006, a biogas plant of Stadtwerke Aachen (STAWAG), a municipal supplier close to Germany’s border with Belgium, has been feeding processed biogas directly into the existing natural gas network. In Straelen on the lower Rhine, STAWAG processes biogas from a local biogas plant to upgrade it to natural gas quality. Then it feeds the processed biogas into the network for use in its own CHPs within the municipal area.

In this way they supply electricity and heat to around 5,200 households in a cost-effective way.

Biogas as fuel: The Jameln/Wendland example

In 2011 around 90.000 natural gas vehicles in Germany (worldwide approx 12.7 mio could use biogas as a biofuel. In June 2006, Germany's first biogas filling station opened in Jameln in Wendland in northern Germany. The biogas plant of a local cooperative situated near an existing petrol station produces electricity and heat for the electricity grid and a local heating network. Part of the output is offered to a biogas filling station as processed biogas for vehicles which run on natural gas. It is fully compatible for use in natural gas vehicles.