Biogas infrastructures from farm to regional scale, prospects of biogas transport grids. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hengeveld, E.J.; Bekkering, J.; van Gemert, W.J.T.; Broekhuis, A.A.
• Is Part Of: Biomass and bioenergy. Volume 86(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Biogas transport -- Biogas grid -- Biogas pipeline -- Star lay-out -- Fishbone lay-out -- Transport costs; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; 333.9539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-9534

Abstract

Abstract: The volume of biogas produced in agricultural areas is expected to increase in coming years. An increasing number of local and regional initiatives show a growing interest in decentralized energy production, wherein biogas can play a role. Biogas transport from production sites to user, i.e. a CHP, boiler or an upgrading installation, induces a scale advantage and an efficiency increase. Therefore the exploration of the costs and energy use of biogas transport using a dedicated infrastructure is needed. A model was developed to describe a regional biogas grid that is used to collect biogas from several digesters and deliver it to a central point. The model minimizes transport costs per volumetric unit of biogas in a region. Results are presented for different digester scales, different sizes of the biomass source area and two types of grid lay-out: a star lay-out and a fishbone lay-out. The model shows that transport costs in a fishbone lay-out are less than 10 €ct m −3 for a digester scale of 100 m 3 h −1 ; for the star lay-out costs can go up to 45 €ct m −3 . For 1800 m 3 h −1 digesters, these values are 4.0 €ct m −3 and 6.1 €ct m −3, respectively. The results indicate that cooperation between biogas producers in collecting biogas by means of a fishbone lay-out reduces the biogas transport costs relative to using a star lay-out. Merging smaller digesters into a smaller number of larger ones reduces the costs of biogas transport for the same biomass source area. Highlights: A model of a biogas grid infrastructure was developed. The model describes the collection of biogas from a surrounding area to a hub. The costs of biogas transport are lower for large digesters in a biogas grid. Cooperation by means of a fishbone lay-out results in lower biogas transport costs. The use of a fishbone lay-out does not necessarily result in higher direct energy use.