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Biogas and Biomethane Production and Usage: Technology Development, Advantages and Challenges in Europe

Author

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  • Josipa Pavičić

    (Pere Pirkera 38, 10361 Sesvetski Kraljevec, Croatia)

  • Karolina Novak Mavar

    (Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Vladislav Brkić

    (Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Katarina Simon

    (Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

In line with the low-carbon strategy, the EU is expected to be climate-neutral by 2050, which would require a significant increase in renewable energy production. Produced biogas is directly used to produce electricity and heat, or it can be upgraded to reach the “renewable natural gas”, i.e., biomethane. This paper reviews the applied production technology and current state of biogas and biomethane production in Europe. Germany, UK, Italy and France are the leaders in biogas production in Europe. Biogas from AD processes is most represented in total biogas production (84%). Germany is deserving for the majority (52%) of AD biogas in the EU, while landfill gas production is well represented in the UK (43%). Biogas from sewage sludge is poorly presented by less than 5% in total biogas quantities produced in the EU. Biomethane facilities will reach a production of 32 TWh in 2020 in Europe. There are currently 18 countries producing biomethane (Germany and France with highest share). Most of the European plants use agricultural substrate (28%), while the second position refers to energy crop feedstock (25%). Sewage sludge facilities participate with 14% in the EU, mostly applied in Sweden. Membrane separation is the most used upgrading technology, applied at around 35% of biomethane plants. High energy prices today, and even higher in the future, give space for the wider acceptance of biomethane use.

Suggested Citation

  • Josipa Pavičić & Karolina Novak Mavar & Vladislav Brkić & Katarina Simon, 2022. "Biogas and Biomethane Production and Usage: Technology Development, Advantages and Challenges in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-28, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:8:p:2940-:d:795723
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    3. Piotr Sulewski & Wiktor Ignaciuk & Magdalena Szymańska & Adam Wąs, 2023. "Development of the Biomethane Market in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-34, February.
    4. Zhengjie Zhan & Pan Xia & Dongtao Xia, 2023. "Study on Carbon Emission Measurement and Influencing Factors for Prefabricated Buildings at the Materialization Stage Based on LCA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Felipe Solferini de Carvalho & Luiz Carlos Bevilaqua dos Santos Reis & Pedro Teixeira Lacava & Fernando Henrique Mayworm de Araújo & João Andrade de Carvalho Jr., 2023. "Substitution of Natural Gas by Biomethane: Operational Aspects in Industrial Equipment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Atreyi Pramanik & Anis Ahmad Chaudhary & Aashna Sinha & Kundan Kumar Chaubey & Mohammad Saquib Ashraf & Nosiba Suliman Basher & Hassan Ahmad Rudayni & Deen Dayal & Sanjay Kumar, 2023. "Nanocatalyst-Based Biofuel Generation: An Update, Challenges and Future Possibilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, April.
    7. Juan Félix González & Carmen María Álvez-Medina & Sergio Nogales-Delgado, 2023. "Biogas Steam Reforming in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Opportunities and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-35, September.
    8. Przemysław Seruga & Małgorzata Krzywonos & Emilia den Boer & Łukasz Niedźwiecki & Agnieszka Urbanowska & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek, 2022. "Anaerobic Digestion as a Component of Circular Bioeconomy—Case Study Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    9. Joanna Kazimierowicz & Marcin Dębowski, 2022. "Aerobic Granular Sludge as a Substrate in Anaerobic Digestion—Current Status and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, August.

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