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Greenhouse gas and energyassessment of the biogas from co-digestion injected into the natural gas grid: A Swedish case-study including effects on soil properties

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Author

Summary, in English

In this study, a large, farm-based, co-digestion plant in southern Sweden, using manure and various food industry wastes is investigated concerning its use of energy and its emissions of greenhouse gases from a life cycle perspective based on measured, site-specific data. The biogas is upgraded and utilized as a vehicle fuel, distributed via the natural gas grid. The case-study also includes a novel approach in which potential changes in soil compaction and soil carbon levels are assessed, based on farm-specific conditions, when digestate replaces mineral fertilizer. An additional objective is to identify potential technical improvements leading to further GHG reductions, and the cost of such measures. According to this case-study, biogas produced from food industry waste and manure in a modern co-digestion plant could reduce GHG emissions by approximately 90% compared to conventional fossil fuels. The corresponding energy input:output ratio is calculated to be about 25%, where the use of electricity in the biogas process, upgrading and pressurisation is the dominating energy input. Finally, several possible technical improvements to further reduce GHG emissions were identified. The economic prerequisites of the specific improvements varied, from profitable from a business perspective to unprofitable from a socio-economic point-of-view. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publishing year

2014

Language

English

Pages

387-395

Publication/Series

Renewable Energy

Volume

71

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Energy Systems

Keywords

  • Biogas
  • LCA
  • Greenhouse gas
  • Energy balance

Status

Published

Project

  • Impact of biogas crop production on greenhouse gas emissions, soil organic matter and food crop production–A case study on farm level

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0960-1481