Biogas can do it

German Biogas Association
Biogas
can do it!
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Did you know?
German biogas plants already
generate electricity for
9.5 million households.
NATURALLY BIOGAS
Biogas has been around forever. Any natural material
on earth is decomposed by microorganisms at the
end of its life, resulting in biogas.
In a biogas plant, this natural process is harnessed.
In the main component of the plant, the digester,
millions of microorganisms thrive and brake down
the supplied substrates—organic waste, manure, or
energy crops. The resulting biogas is captured in the
gas tight storage above the digester and channeled
from there.
Biogas consists of 50 to 65 percent combustible
methane (CH 4
), 35 to 50 percent carbon dioxide
(CO 2
), as well as nitrogen, water, oxygen, and some
trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide. It can be used to
generate electricity, heat, or fuel.
The leftover digestate can be effectively used as
fertilizer in agriculture or horticulture, supporting
the growth of new energy crops.
A perfect cycle.
Find out more on our website:
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A LOOK INSIDE THE BIOGAS PLANT
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The biogas generated in the digester is captured in the gas tight storage and is then
either piped to the combined heat and power (CHP) plant to produce electricity and
heat or, after upgrading, to the gas grid.
1. At first, biomass is collected – in a
silo, a collection site, or a manure pit.
2. Depending on the substrate, it might
be pre-treated, sorted, or cleaned.
3. The substrate enters the digester
through pumps and screws.
4. Bacteria and fresh biomass are mixed
in the digester using agitators.
5. A heater ensures the correct
temperature (usually around 40 °C).
6. The gas tight storage acts as a
flexible gas storage.
7. In the end, the biogas is
desulfurized and dried.
8. In the combined heat and power
plant, biogas is converted into
electricity and heat.
9. In biomethane plants, biogas is
upgraded into biomethane.
10. Finally, the digested biomass is
pumped into the residue storage; it
can still be further processed into
pellets or liquid fertilizer.
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ENERGY FROM WASTE
Biogas plants transform into
energy and high-quality fertilizer
what others discard: the
contents of the organic waste
bin, used cooking oils from
restaurants, or potato peelings
from the French fries industry.
In agriculture, also a lot of residual
materials are generated,
such as harvest leftovers
like beet leaves and straw,
vegetable, potato, and cereal
remnants, as well as manure
and dung.
The utilization in biogas plants
not only saves money on
disposal but also produces environmentally
friendly energy
and a high-quality fertilizer for
farmers and hobby gardeners
in the end.
Potential of Organic Waste
Potential of Organic Waste
11.8 million t
Organic waste captured 2020
5 million t each
Biowaste bin
7 million t
5.7 million t each
Green waste from gardens and parks
1.1 million t each
Kitchen and canteen waste, cooking oils
and fats, market waste
Did you know?
Put your organic waste in
the organic waste bin and
protect the climate.
4.4 T Wh
Currently, only 7 out of 11.8 million tons of organic waste are fermented in biogas plants. If the entire
collected amount of organic waste were fermented, it could generate 6.28 terawatt-hours of energy.
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© 2023 Fachverband Biogas e.V. (German Biogas Association)

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COLOURFUL OPPORTUNITIES –
ENERGY CROPS ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY

Cycle of species and climate protection
Most crops grown in our fields can be
digested in biogas plants and converted
into energy.
Actively protect our species
...are a pasture for bees
...increase species diversity
and biodiversity
...protect the climate by
absorbing CO 2
in the soil
Maize is the most efficient one in this
process, delivering the highest amount
of gas per hectare, and is currently the
most widely grown crop. But there are
a growing number of alternatives that
can make our fields more diverse and
colourful and provide valuable habitats
for wildlife and insects. Moreover,
weeds can be harvested for biogas
plants, reducing the need for pesticides.
Additionally, clover grass, cultivated in
organic farming to improve soil quality,
finds use in biogas plants.
... are a preferred habitat
for wildlife and insect
Alternative energy crops...
...... reduce the overall CO 2
emissions,
generate green power, heat, and fuel
... protect water
and soil
...need fewer
chemical pesticides
Actively protect the climate
© 2023 Fachverband Biogas e.V. (German Biogas Association)
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Climate Protection through biogas
Avoidance greenhouse of greenhouse gas emmissions gas emissions by: through:
Substitution of fossil sources
Anaerobic digestion
of manure
Substition of mineral fertilzer
by processing digestate
Building humus through
organic fertilization
As a result, German biogas plants save the climate 21 million tonnes of CO 2
/a
This enables German biogas plants to save 21 million tons of CO
As much as ...
2
per year.
This corresponds to...
almost 2 million people per year
around 10 million gas-powered cars
14 million people flying
from Munich to New York
© 2023 Fachverband Biogas e.V. (German Biogas Association)
• Electricity and heat or fuel from biogas plants replace fossil fuels.
• Digested liquid manure avoids the release of methane into the atmosphere,
which happens when it is stored in an open area.
Methane is 23 times more harmful to the climate than CO 2
.
• Perennial energy crops farming enriches humus in soil,
leading to the removal of CO 2
from the atmosphere.
• The digestate produced is a high-quality fertilizer that replaces
energy-intensive mineral fertilizers.
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HOW BIOGAS
PROTECTS OUR CLIMATE
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„Biogas is important for the energy
transition. The transition can only
succeed if all renewable energies
work together.“
Dr. Simone Peter
President of German Renewable Energy Association
BIOGAS IS AVAILABLE WHEN
WIND AND SUN ARE SLEEPING
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Operation of flexible biogas plants
Operation of flexible biogas plants
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500 kW
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24
base load
6
1,000 kW
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24
Daytime
schedule
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6
1,000 kW
2,000 kW
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fully
flexible
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6
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500 kW engine
500 kW x 24 h = 12,000 kWh
2 x 500 kW engines
1,000 kW x 12 h = 12,000 kWh
4 x 500 kW engines
2,000 kW x 6 h = 12,000 kWh
© 2023 Fachverband Biogas e.V. (German Biogas Association)
Every source of renewable energy has its benefits and
must play different roles to maintain a stable and
sustainable power supply. Wind and sun are endless
and cost-free, making them the backbone of our
energy grid. However, they cannot generate electricity
precisely at periods of peak demand.
Biogas can be produced and stored reliably and
persistently. Biogas plants are therefore the perfect
solution as gap fillers: They don‘t generate energy
when there‘s ample wind and sunshine and only ramp
up production when the power generation from wind
and sun reduces. This approach ensures that we have
an affordable and reliable power supply that‘s environmentally
friendly.
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Biogas Heat
Biogas Heat
22.9 TWh of
usable heat
approx. 9,900 plants
By the electricity generation of the approximately 9,900 biogas
plants, 22.9 TWh of heat is produced. This could supply
1.95 million households, replace 2.3 billion liters of heating oil,
and thereby avoid 7.6 million tons of CO 2
.
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1.95 million households
© 2023 Fachverband Biogas e.V. (German Biogas Association)
More than half of our energy is used for heating. Biogas plants
produce both heat and electricity, which can be distributed through
local heating networks for residents to use.This heating energy is
not only regional but also eco-friendly. Apart from residential buildings,
biogas heat is supplied to public institutions such as schools,
hospitals, and sports halls. In summer, outdoor swimming pools are
capable of using this energy, resulting in an earlier season start and
prolonged opening hours.
In Germany, there are numerous bioenergy villages that already
largely supply themselves with renewable heat in an autonomous
manner. If the biogas plant is not close to the heat user, „satellite
CHP units“ are an appropriate choice. The biogas is transported via
a special pipeline to an external unit that produces electricity and
heat near the heat user.
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MORE THAN A BYPRODUCT:
BIOGAS HEAT
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BIOGAS IN THE GRID
Did you know?
A biomethane vehicle
reduces the CO 2
-emissions
up to 90 per cent compared
to a petrol vehicle.
Biogas can be converted into electricity on-site or fed into the gas
network. It is purified first to remove everything except methane –
including CO 2
, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide.
The resulting gas is 98 percent combustible methane, similar to
natural gas, but it is known as biomethane and is environmentally
friendly. Biomethane can be added to the current gas network and
taken out whenever needed.
Biomethane can also be converted to LNG (liquefied natural gas) for
use by trucks and ships with its high energy density.
Moreover, biomethane can power eco-friendly household gas
heating. To cut costs for purifying the gas, nearby biogas plants
work together in a „cluster“ and jointly run a biomethane plant.
It‘s available at gas stations where it‘s offered as CNG (compressed
natural gas) and any vehicle using gas can refuel using it. Nearly
800 stations across Germany now mainly provide pure biomethane.
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ECONOMIC ENGINE
OF BIOGAS
It takes many professionals to build and operate a biogas
plant from start to finish. More than 800 small and mediumsized
companies plan and construct biogas plants and their
components, offer maintenance and service work, and ensure
the provision of substrates (e.g., energy crops) as well as the
utilization of output (electricity, heat, fuel, digestate).
Biogas plants provide sustainable career opportunities to
young, skilled professionals, even in rural regions with weak
infrastructure. Germany’s biogas expertise built up over the
past few decades is in demand worldwide. It offers attractive
export and development prospects for various companies.
Numerous countries are focusing on biogas, contributing to
crucial energy self-sufficiency, particularly in remote regions.
“Biogas provides 50,000 people
with sustainable jobs and generates
a sales volume of 13 billion euros
per year, especially in rural regions.”
Horst Seide
President of German Biogas Association
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EVERYWHERE
ON THE GO
The German Biogas Association is active in a variety of
ways. We attend national and international fairs and
events both in-person and online. Our aim is to inform,
explain, discuss, and engage with the rapidly expanding
biogas community on our social media platforms.
GBA - The international
department introduces itself:
GBA – International cooperations:
International biogas journal:
By following us, subscribing to our international
newsletter or exploring our website, you can keep
up to date with international biogas projects,
operator profiles, event recommendations and
the latest policy developments.
International Newsletter:
Biogas Graphics:
GBA Biogas Trainings –
German Biogas Association:
Further material:
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IMPRINT
Did you know?
Maize produces more biomass
than almost any other plant
with low water and pesticides
use and a high gas output.
In biogas plants fermented
manure does not smell and
is an excellent fertilizer.
Potato and apple
peelings are used in
biogas plants to produce
energy and fertilizer.
Biogas plants reduce the
CO 2
-emissions already
by more than 21 million
tonnes per year.
Biogas plants are a simple and
decentralised source of energy
in many developing countries.
Publisher
Fachverband Biogas e.V.
(German Biogas Association)
Dr. Claudius da Costa Gomez (V.i.S.d.P.)
Angerbrunnenstraße 12
85356 Freising
info@biogas.org
www.biogas.org
Editor
Fachverband Biogas e.V.
Layout
bigbenreklamebureau GmbH
www.bb-rb.de
Photos
Fachverband Biogas e.V.
Tom Baerwald
Illustrations
Fachverband Biogas e.V.
Status
February 2024
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Become a Member of the German Biogas
Association / Fachverband Biogas e.V.
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www.biogas.org