One option for energy provision from renewables is the production and grid injection of synthetic natural gas from lignin-rich biomass like wood and straw. Bio-SNG (biological produced synthetic/substitute natural gas) is the product of the thermochemical production of methane via gasification and methanation of lignin-rich biomass. The first commercial bio-SNG plant went successfully into operation in the end of 2014, in Gothenburg (Sweden). Regarding the huge potential of lignin-rich biomass bio-SNG is expected to have a high potential for a sustainable and greenhouse gas reducing contribution in power, heat and fuel markets. Being a future technology with great advantages like storability and transportability within a gas grid but recently too high prices for market implementation, possible future market shares are uncertain because bio-SNG has to compete with anaerobic biomethane as well as fossil alternatives. With the combination of an extensive techno-economic evaluation for present and future costs of bioSNG depending on the feedstock supply chain and economy of scale, Delphi-Survey and a quantitative market simulation we determined future market shares for biomethane and bio-SNG for Germany under varying scenarios like incentive schemes, economy of scale and feedstock prices. Results indicate that substantial governmental support in terms of either R&D effort to lower bio-SNG prices or direct subsidies for a further capacity development is necessary to achieve significant market shares for biogenic methane.

Model-based estimation of market potential for bio-SNG in the German biomethane market until 2030 within a system dynamics approach.

Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Alternatives for Replacement of Natural Gas in Building Material Industry

Many sites for biogas production in Latvia currently do not have sufficient heat load to provide power production in co-generation mode. The alternative to relatively inefficient power production could be production of bio-methane which is known as one of the most important renewable option for gas supplies. After removal of contaminants bio-methane is of quality of natural gas and can be delivered to power plants and industry using the natural gas supply infrastructure. For analysis of environmental benefit of using bio-methane the environmental impact of the proposed solution has to be assessed. The aim of the study is to make life cycle assessment of the system for bio-methane supply to industrial plant via the natural gas grid. The analysed system includes bio-methane production and transport to the natural gas pipeline including the infrastructure. Functional unit was 1 MWh of bio-methane energy injected into the natural gas transmission pipeline. Life-cycle model was created and analysed with software ' SimaPro '. ReCiPe and Eco-Indicator'99 were used as characterization methods to analyse the life-cycle environmental impacts. Results show the influence and contribution level expressed in mid-point categories as well as in a single-score indicator. The largest impact is created by use of fossil energy sources in production of bio-methane. The results can be used to design renewable energy supply systems and for the comparison of alternatives.

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Life cycle assessment of bio-methane supply system based on natural gas infrastructure

Life Cycle Assessment of Bio-Methane Supply System Based on Natural Gas Infrastructure

Firing of bricks is an essential manufacturing process during which the bricks obtain all the necessary properties. Life cycle assessment studies show that this process is also the most energy intensive in the brick manufacturing process and results in the largest environmental impact. Usually kilns are fired with natural gas, therefore substitution of fossil fuel with a renewable energy source is considered one of the most effective approaches for reduction of environmental impact. Bio-synthetic natural gas (bio-SNG) is one of the most feasible substitutes for natural gas and therefore the aim of the study was to compare the environmental impacts of those energy sources. Comparison of the life cycle of the environmental impact of natural gas and bio-SNG was carried out using the GEMIS (Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems) database. Both energy sources were compared on the basis of the life cycle of CO2 emissions, cumulated energy and material requirement, land use and employment effects. Results show that by replacing natural gas with bio-SNG, greenhouse gases could be reduced and employment increased. However, cumulated energy, material and land requirement is larger when bio-SNG is used instead of natural gas.

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Miks Dudko

Papers

Environmental aspects of substituting bio-synthetic natural gas for natural gas in the brick industry.

Alternative Energy for Brick Industry

Environmental Aspects of Substituting Bio-Synthetic Natural Gas for Natural Gas in the Brick Industry