To safeguard Europe’s strategic autonomy in biogas technologies, consolidate existing production capacities, and ensure technical, economic, and political efficiencies, investing in innovation and demonstration projects is crucial.
BIOMETHAVERSE is proud to announce its participation in a forward-thinking initiative spearheaded by our scientific coordinator, the European Biogas Association. EBA has recently (May 2024) published the document Scaling-up Biogases Production. Shared recommendations for the design of future EU research and innovation investments, focusing on scaling up biogas production by promoting better management practices and enhancing circularity within the industry.
This actionable document is the result of a collaborative effort that unites esteemed universities, leading research institutes, committed associations, and various R&I initiatives. Together, they are working towards improving the sustainability and efficiency of the biogas sector. As a Horizon research project dedicated to advancing biogas technologies, BIOMETHAVERSE is excited to be among the signatories of this influential statement.
The joint statement outlines a shared vision and recommendations for future EU research and innovation investments. It emphasizes the need to advance sustainable biogas production processes, integrate biogas production with other innovative technologies, and explore new production methods and specific end-use applications.
This vision aligns with the EU’s research and innovation policies, which, through funding programs such as Horizon Europe, play a pivotal role in driving our project forward. It also enhances the collaborative efforts of the biomethane research community, working together to unlock new potential in biogas production while ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy in this vital sector.
Below are some highlights of the document.
Sustainable Feedstock Innovations for Enhanced Biogas Production
Exploring novel waste valorization routes is essential for boosting biogas production potential. Utilizing biomass from contaminated, marginal, and degraded lands offers a sustainable, non-food feedstock for biogas production. Recent studies suggest that such lands could produce up to 200 million tonnes of biomass annually, significantly increasing biogas output.
Innovative agricultural practices, such as the Biogas Done Right (BDR) concept in Italy and grass silage cultivation in Ireland, have proven successful. For instance, the BDR concept has shown a 50% increase in biogas production efficiency. Long-term field trials across Europe’s diverse climate zones will strengthen farmers’ trust and knowledge, promoting wider adoption of these sustainable practices.
Cutting-Edge Technologies for a Diverse and Sustainable Biogas Future
Gasification and methanation technologies present a significant opportunity to diversify European biomethane production, enhancing biogas potential. By 2050, biomethane from gasification alone could account for up to 20% of Europe’s natural gas consumption. Methanation technology, which can increase Europe’s biomethane potential by 66%, offers a substantial boost.
Understanding and advancing digestate applications and upgrading technologies are crucial actions for closing the nutrient cycle and achieving a climate-neutral Europe. With the 2022 fertilizer crisis highlighting the EU’s vulnerability, focusing on technologies that convert digestate into valuable fertilizers could reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers by up to 30%. Additionally, biogenic CO2 storage and use are vital for a sustainable scale-up of biogas technologies, ensuring a coherent integration with current policy frameworks.
Maximizing Efficiency in Biogas Production
Efficiency gains are achievable through advanced feedstock pre-treatment technologies, which can boost biogas yields by up to 40% and unlock new feedstock types. Optimizing existing digestion assets — such as minimizing biogas self-consumption and implementing real-time monitoring — can enhance productivity by 25% and reduce operational costs significantly.
The collaborative effort of the broader biogas research community, engaged in this joint policy initiative, underscores the importance of channeling funding into innovation and demonstration projects. The collaborative effort of the wider biogas research community involved in this joint policy awakening endeavor underscores the importance of channeling funding into innovation and demonstration projects. Programs such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, Innovation Fund, and InvestEU are critical for achieving the full potential of biogas, contributing to a sustainable energy transition, and securing Europe’s strategic autonomy in renewable energy technologies.
Take a deeper look at the joint statement, here.
