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Biogas Production Potential from Economically Usable Green Waste

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Pick

    (University of Freiburg, Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energien, Tennenbacherstr. 4, Freiburg 79106, Germany)

  • Martin Dieterich

    (Institut for Landscape and Vegetation Ecology, University of Hohenheim, August-von-Hartmann-Str. 3, Stuttgart 70599, Germany)

  • Sebastian Heintschel

    (Institut for Landscape and Vegetation Ecology, University of Hohenheim, August-von-Hartmann-Str. 3, Stuttgart 70599, Germany)

Abstract

Biomass production for energy purposes on agricultural land competes with food production. This is a serious problem, considering the limited availability of farmland, rising demand for varied food products, demand for more organic crop production resulting in considerably reduced yields per area and the need for more environmentally sound agricultural practices meeting long-term sustainability criteria. Residual land currently not used for agricultural production has been considered a promising resource, but in terms of potentials, difficult to estimate for biomass for use in the energy sector. Biomass potentials associated with “green waste” from residual grasslands were assessed for Schwäbisch Hall County in the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Roadside edges, conservation grasslands subject to low intensity use (landscape maintenance sites), riparian stretches along ditches and streams, and municipal green spaces (public lawns, parks and sports fields) were the area types considered. Data for biomass and biogas yields were either determined through a sampling program or obtained from the literature and through interviews with experts. In an iterative process and distinguishing between theoretical, technical and realized (economic) potentials, unsuitable areas and fractions were subtracted from the theoretical potentials. Theoretical potentials for Schwäbisch Hall County were originally estimated at 21 million m 3 of biogas. The results of the investigation suggest that a very high percentage of the theoretical residual biomass potential cannot be accessed due to various technical, legal, ecological or management (economic) constraints. In fact, in the end, only municipal lawns and green spaces were found to provide suitable substrates. Current use of residual biomass in the model communities did not exceed 0.4% of the theoretical potentials. Provided all residual biomass available under current management practices could be accessed, this would amount to 6.1% of the theoretical maximum potentials.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Pick & Martin Dieterich & Sebastian Heintschel, 2012. "Biogas Production Potential from Economically Usable Green Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:4:y:2012:i:4:p:682-702:d:17264
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chantal Ruppert-Winkel & Jürgen Hauber, 2014. "Changing the Energy System towards Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency—Towards a multi-perspective and Interdisciplinary Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Meyer, A.K.P. & Ehimen, E.A. & Holm-Nielsen, J.B., 2014. "Bioenergy production from roadside grass: A case study of the feasibility of using roadside grass for biogas production in Denmark," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 124-133.
    3. Kwon, Oseok & Kim, Juyeon & Han, Jeehoon, 2022. "Organic waste derived biodiesel supply chain network: Deterministic multi-period planning model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    4. Meike Nitsche & Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2017. "Using Grass Cuttings from Sports Fields for Anaerobic Digestion and Combustion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-11, March.
    5. Paul Eades & Sigrid Kusch-Brandt & Sonia Heaven & Charles J. Banks, 2020. "Estimating the Generation of Garden Waste in England and the Differences between Rural and Urban Areas," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, January.
    6. Kadambari Lokesh & Luana Ladu & Louise Summerton, 2018. "Bridging the Gaps for a ‘Circular’ Bioeconomy: Selection Criteria, Bio-Based Value Chain and Stakeholder Mapping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-24, May.
    7. Inghels, Dirk & Dullaert, Wout & Bloemhof, Jacqueline, 2016. "A model for improving sustainable green waste recovery," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 61-73.
    8. Gabriel Cucui & Constantin Aurelian Ionescu & Ioana Raluca Goldbach & Mihaela Denisa Coman & Elena Liliana Moiceanu Marin, 2018. "Quantifying the Economic Effects of Biogas Installations for Organic Waste from Agro-Industrial Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-16, July.

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