Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
19
Market development and certification
schemes for biomethane
STEPHAN BOWE , Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH, Germany
DOI: 10.1533/9780857097415.3.444
Abstract: Upgrading of biogas to methane and subsequent feed-in to the
gas grid makes biomethane the 'joker in the pack' in the renewable
energies game, with advantages from environmental, political and
economic points of view. Thus, in many countries, governments have
designed national support schemes or announced national targets,
resulting in development of the biomethane market. Feed-in support
schemes, quota obligations and green gas products are the dominating
market drivers in Europe. While most countries base their production on
organic waste as feedstock, Germany dominates Europe's feed-in market
with energy crops; its market has developed rapidly, from first feed-in in
2006 to a total of 80 plants operating at the end of 2011. The main
driver in Germany is the feed-in tariff for renewable electricity via the
Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). European trading of biomethane
was enabled by European directives. Support schemes for biomethane
rely on mass balancing systems or 'book and claim'- certificates. Several
mass balancing systems have developed in Europe, such as the German
Biogasregister Deutschland and the Dutch Vertogas. Discussion on the
impacts on the agriculture, rising government awareness of biomethane
and the removal of barriers for international trade will be trends for the
coming years. Existing mass balancing systems may contribute to
international market development by creating a common standard.
System integration into gas and power grids, moving from subsidies to
markets and competition with natural gas may become issues when
biomethane increases in relevance.
Key words: biomethane, feed-in, mass balancing, certification,
biomethane markets, Biogasregister Deutschland.
19.1
Introduction
Upgrading of biogas to biomethane and feed-in to the gas grid has
important advantages in comparison with direct application of biogas near
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