BGA Cluster

Development of innovative concepts for the clustering of existing biogas plants for the provision of biomethane

Topic

The number of biogas plants commissioned in Baden-Württemberg is concentrated in the years 2005 to 2011. The expiration of the subsidies from the EEG after 20 years forces many biogas plant operators to reconsider and re-evaluate their plant capacities, combined with the search for new utilization possibilities. The continued operation of many biogas plants after 2024 is questionable for many operators.

Goals

Within the scope of this project, measures that can be implemented in the short- and mid- term will be identified for the clustering of existing biogas plants for the provision of biomethane. In addition, recommendations of action for plant operators will be developed. To be able to carry out a detailed analysis based on practical data, a total of three suitable locations for the clustering of biogas plants will be selected and examined in more detail during the course of the project. The results will be funneled into a guideline for the clustering of biogas plants, which will provide decision support for political decision makers, companies and biogas plant operators. A future utilization path for existing biogas plants may be the merger of several small BGAs, with a central upgrading plant to provide biomethane. In Germany, there are currently about 9600 BGA, but only about 220 biomethane upgrading plants.

Project tasks of the State Institute

The State Institute is responsible for evaluating the technical renewals of different types of BGAs after several years of operation, and also for contacting operators of BGAs within the potential clusters.