Biogas and net zero in gas supply
How can the political and economic framework conditions be adapted so that climate-neutral gases such as biogas and synthetic biomethane and hydrogen are available in sufficient quantities in Switzerland? A demand that is given additional topicality by the gas and energy crisis provoked by Russia. The discussions at the 9th Bioenergy Forum in Solothurn revolved around these central questions.
According to Biomasse Suisse and the Swiss Gas Industry Association VSG, biogas and other climate-neutral gases are key to the decarbonization of gas supply envisaged by politicians and the industry. The technologies to provide renewable and climate-neutral gases such as biogas and synthetic biomethane and hydrogen have been available for years. Against this background, the topic of this year's Bioenergy Forum could not have been more topical: Implementing a net-zero gas supply is challenging. The annual gathering of research, producers, business, administration and politics provided a platform to discuss seminal ideas on how to shape the gas supply of the future.
Contribution of biogas to decarbonization is underestimated
The first part of the forum was devoted to biogas, which still receives far too little attention as a domestic, renewable and flexible energy source. Biogas can be produced on our doorstep from waste and at the same time reduces greenhouse gas emissions (especially methane from livestock). The presentations showed that the contribution of biogas to decarbonization is generally underestimated.
Power-to-gas plants on an industrial scale
In the second part, representatives of research from Germany and abroad reported on the latest innovations in the field of renewable gases and their potential for sector coupling. Power-to-gas plants can only play their key role in the seasonal storage of renewable energies if the framework conditions are right. The Limeco plant was presented as the first industrial-scale example in Switzerland. It also dealt with its economic operation and issues such as an exemption from grid usage fees. Another presentation addressed the technical challenges of using green hydrogen to increase biogas production.
General conditions must be adapted
The third part dealt with the necessary technical adjustments to the gas infrastructure so that hydrogen and other renewable gases can also be transported safely. Furthermore, a research project was presented that converts the electrically produced hydrogen into biogas deep underground (power-to-gas). The fact that seasonal storage can also take place there underground could efficiently combine two important processes of sector coupling.
In a panel consisting of representatives from politics, business and administration, the various topics were discussed in depth. The participants agreed that increased promotion of biogas and climate-neutral gases is the order of the day. There is still room for further debate on the how.
Source and further information: Biomass Suisse
