Biogas climate benefit greater than previously thought
A research group at the Lund University has calculated the figures on behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency after having analysed a biogas plant in Skåne. The case study will make it easier to study and optimise other biogas facilities. In Sweden there are some 20 similar plants, producing biogas for use in cars and other vehicles. As much vehicle gas is produced by sewage treatment works that produce biogas from sewage sludge.
“The plant we have studied is fairly representative of an average biogas plant that processes waste and manure. In our study we have calculated emissions for the entire production chain and included both direct and indirect emissions. What is particular to our study is that we have included indirect factors that have not previously been taken into account, for example how the ground is affected when mineral fertiliser is replaced with bio-fertiliser. In addition, methane leaching from the plant is measured and not based on standard data that is often otherwise used in this kind of analysis”, points out Mikael Lantz, doctoral student in Environmental and Energy Systems Studies at Lund University.
The researchers also observed that the biogas releases 16 gram/kWh biogas of the greenhouse gases methane, laughing gas and carbon dioxide. These emissions are around 95 per cent lower than from petrol and significantly better than the standard values used today.
In order to make the biogas even more climate-friendly, the researchers propose that the plants should be heated using wood chips, which could also be cheaper for the biogas producer.
“Another suggestion is to cover the bio-fertiliser stores to reduce the losses of nitrogen and reduce dilution with rain water. The plant has already implemented this measure. By using a few other recommendations as well, the emissions can be reduced to 120 per cent lower than petrol, without increasing the production costs by more than a couple of öre per kWh of vehicle gas”, explains Mikael Lantz.
Today over 23 000 vehicles in Sweden drive on biogas.
For more information, please contact: Mikael Lantz, doctoral student in Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, +46 (0)46 222 46 04, +46 (0)707 41 92 38 mikael.lantz@miljo.lth.se,
Pål Börjesson, researcher in Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, +46 (0)46 222 86 42, +46 (0)768 82 04 06, Pal.Borjesson@miljo.lth.se
Pressofficer Kristina Lindgärde;kristina.lindgarde@kansli.lth.se; +46-709753 500
For pictures of Mikael Lantz and Pål Börjesson, see Lund University's press pages: http://bildweb.srv.lu.se/login/
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Ecology, The Environment and Conservation
This complex theme deals primarily with interactions between organisms and the environmental factors that impact them, but to a greater extent between individual inanimate environmental factors.
innovations-report offers informative reports and articles on topics such as climate protection, landscape conservation, ecological systems, wildlife and nature parks and ecosystem efficiency and balance.
Newest articles
Pinpointing hydrogen isotopes in titanium hydride nanofilms
Although it is the smallest and lightest atom, hydrogen can have a big impact by infiltrating other materials and affecting their properties, such as superconductivity and metal-insulator-transitions. Now, researchers from…
A new way of entangling light and sound
For a wide variety of emerging quantum technologies, such as secure quantum communications and quantum computing, quantum entanglement is a prerequisite. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institute for the Science of Light…
Telescope for NASA’s Roman Mission complete, delivered to Goddard
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is one giant step closer to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. The mission has now received its final major delivery: the Optical Telescope…