Anaerobic digestion plants connected upstream of composting plants: technology, costs and efficiency

The IFEU Institute for Environment and Energy Research in Heidelberg and other partners were contracted by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety to report on the 'Improvements for a sustainable development of biogas production and use in Germany�. In the context of this project the IGW Engineering Company Witzenhausen and the Witzenhausen Institute assessed the economic efficiency of integrating an anaerobic treatment unit into existing composting concepts.

 

The approach included

• Assessment of the existing asset of composting plants in Germany,

• Estimate of operational expenses of biowaste composting,

• Inquiry of manufacturers of anaerobic technology regarding the investment and operational expenses of their systems,

• Estimate of operational expenses of an upstream anaerobic treatment unit,

• Estimate of revenues depending on the granted bonuses as well as the different concepts of energy utilization,

• Overall assessment of the economic efficiency of an integration,

• Recommendations on measures to develop biogas production from biowaste.

 

As the study revealed, the integration of an anaerobic digestion plant as upstream unit in composting plants became more interesting in recent times. Based on the Renewable Energies Act EEG with its different bonuses and depending on the specific technology and utilization concept, revenues of 20 to 35 € per ton biowaste could be reached. However, these revenues are facing additional investment and operational expenses that cannot compete with the self-financing operation of an exclusive composting.

 

 

Erfahrungen bei der Beratung von Vergärungs- und Kompostierungsanlagen
© Witzenhausen-Institut für Abfall, Umwelt und Energie GmbH (4/2024)
Die Verwendung von Biogut- und Grüngutkompost ist eine Möglichkeit, Nährstoffdefizite im Ökolandbau zu vermeiden sowie die Bodenfruchtbarkeit zu erhalten und sogar zu steigern.

Klimaresilienter Städtebau
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2023)
Instrumente, Chancen und Hindernisse bei der Klimaanpassungsplanung

Klimawandelbewältigung im Non-ETS Sektor in Deutschland und Österreich
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2023)
Ein neues Rechtsgebiet im Vergleich

 

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