What is biogas?

Icon image biogas

Biogas – is that the energy transition? (Image: pixabay.com, 1815691 (CC0 Creative Commons)

Biogas is produced naturally by decomposing organic material with extraction of air. Bacteria are responsible for this, for example bio-waste or energy crops that decompose manure or other organic materials. Biogas is now also used for alternative electricity generation, but is not always undisputed.

Bacteria and biomass – a combination that produces the biogas. Both are hermetically sealed in a so-called gas container and the biogas develops during the fragmentation process. This gas consists of methane, carbon dioxide and some water. Other components are trace gases such as oxygen, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Biogas can be converted not only into electricity or heat, but also into fuel or.

Biogas can do that

The fact that bacteria often achieve amazing things is not only evident with biogas. In Southeast Asian countries, they are also used to release arsenic into groundwater. They are also an essential part of biogas production and ensure that the later product is CO2-neutral when burned.

With the entry into force of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), biogas electricity generation is also promoted. This led to an enormous increase in biogas plants, especially between 2007 and 2014.

This means that biogas can also be used optimally as an extension of renewable energy sources. Some farmers are already using the biogas to meet their own gas / electricity needs. More and more electricity suppliers are also using the regenerative alternative and are offering special gas tariffs. Additionally support companies like Yello With their tariff they offer rainforest protection or contribute to plastic-free oceans.

Further advantages of biogas

The advantages of biogas over wind / solar energy lie in the generation and storage: When generating solar / wind energy, weather factors play an important role, so that grid fluctuations can occur. In addition, wind farms are not entirely without controversy, because the shadow effect when erecting them ensures less efficient energy yield.

Another Advantage with biogas consists in the possibility of regional production. Decentralization not only avoids long transport routes, but also creates jobs and added value, especially in rural areas.

That is why biogas is being criticized

Biogas not only offers many advantages, but also often causes uncertainty among consumers. As is well known, there are always two sides of the coin, so that biogas and its production are not undisputed.

One of the main disadvantages is the odor nuisance of the residents, because manure or other (odor-intensive) biomass products, for example, are used for the production of biogas values.

The energy crops themselves, which are grown for production, are also being criticized. Corn provides an enormous amount of energy, so it is often used as a raw material for biomass. Many farmers therefore grow maize for biomass production and use arable land for this. This creates a competitive situation in food production.

Biogas is also viewed critically due to the climate impact of biogas production. During pigmentation, hydrogen sulfide or ammonia are produced, which are safely captured in the biogas plant, but if they escape, they could also have negative consequences for groundwater or the atmosphere.

The Federal Environment Agency has now defined clear immission control requirements for biogas plants. Larger systems are even subject to the Hazardous Incident Ordinance.

02/28/2021

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