Extending the Operation of Existing Biogas Plants: Which Follow-Up Concepts and Plants Will Prevail?

For the existing biogas plants (BGP) in Germany, period of public support scheme begins to end 2021. From a technical point view, essential components have an operational life span more than 20 years and allow for extended operation. However, profitable extension would require suitable follow-up concepts depends on underlying plant-specific setup, regional conditions, as well regulatory economic framework. Based expert evaluation, four promising were identified multistage process consisting interviews, workshops, online survey. These are “Basic flexibilization,” “Substrate change,” “Seasonal “Biomethane upgrading.” They assessed with repowering model heterogeneous data set 2,508 BGPs compared three scenario frameworks derive robust development paths. To capture heterogeneity was developed further regarding parameters such power output, substrate mix, emission factors. Across all scenarios, flexibilization” proves be most concept 50% BGPs. This is followed by which particularly larger high shares energy crops no heat utilization. Biomethane upgrading usually second choice participation schemes electricity production. it only that under current market conditions due CO 2 -quota prices German fuel sector. The pathways also show significant potential increase net GHG reduction, BPG average can nearly doubled. Our approach shows interplay BGP structure, applied decision variable, nonuniform framework different markets crucial importance when assessing similar markets, identifying pathways, or designing policies.