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Energy and Business Synergy: Leveraging Biogenic Resources from Agriculture, Waste, and Wastewater in German Rural Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Moritz Pollack

    (Department of Building Physics, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany)

  • Andrea Lück

    (Department of Biotechnology in Resource Management, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany)

  • Mario Wolf

    (Department of Biotechnology in Resource Management, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany)

  • Eckhard Kraft

    (Department of Biotechnology in Resource Management, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany)

  • Conrad Völker

    (Department of Building Physics, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 99423 Weimar, Germany)

Abstract

The imperative to transform current energy provisions is widely acknowledged. However, scant attention has hitherto been directed toward rural municipalities and their innate resources, notably biogenic resources. In this paper, a methodological framework is developed to interconnect resources from waste, wastewater, and agricultural domains for energy utilization. This entails cataloging existing resources, delineating their potential via quantitative assessments utilizing diverse technologies, and encapsulating them in a conceptual model. The formulated models underwent iterative evaluation with engagement from diverse stakeholders. Consequently, 3 main concepts, complemented by 72 sub-concepts, were delineated, all fostering positive contributions to climate protection and providing heat supply in the rural study area. The outcomes’ replicability is underscored by the study area’s generic structure and the employed methodology. Through these inquiries, a framework for the requisite energy transition, with a pronounced emphasis on the coupling of waste, wastewater, and agriculture sectors in rural environments, is robustly analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Moritz Pollack & Andrea Lück & Mario Wolf & Eckhard Kraft & Conrad Völker, 2023. "Energy and Business Synergy: Leveraging Biogenic Resources from Agriculture, Waste, and Wastewater in German Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-26, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16573-:d:1294575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Domenico Licursi & Juan J. Hernández, 2025. "Biomass Transformation: Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-5, May.

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