engleski

From food waste and renewable electricity to renewable gas – A study on advanced biogas plant operation

The aim of this research is to assess the integration of renewable energy sources (wind and photovoltaics) into advanced biogas plant operation to convert biogas into renewable gas in the form of biomethane and e-methane. Biogas plant utilising food waste was used as a case study. The synergies between biogas technologies and renewable energy sources at the location were studied using linear programming approach and the objective of minimising costs while considering market prices of electricity. Capacities of wind and photovoltaics, biogas storage, upgrading unit, electrolyser and methanator were optimised for the following three scenarios: i) A base scenario where external biogas storage and upgrading unit are installed in the biogas power plant substituting combined heat and power engine ; ii) A scenario where upgrading unit, electrolyser and methanator are installed, with no external biogas storage added ; iii) A scenario where upgrading unit, electrolyser, methanator and external biogas storage are installed. The capacity of photovoltaics at the location is more impacted by of the price of electricity on the day-ahead market, than the capacity of wind farm. Levelized cost of electricity at discount rates of 5, 7.5 and 10% for photovoltaics was estimated to be between 6.44 and 8.57 €cent/kWh, while for wind the range was 7.39-10.45 €cent/kWh. Electricity from photovoltaics and wind is competitive with grid electricity, when the discount rate is 7.5% or below. At the studied location, the wind gains availability for electricity production by 4-fold higher than photovoltaics. At higher prices of electricity, external biogas storage contributes to higher wind penetration in advanced biogas plant operation. Biogas storage increases the capacity of gas processing units, upgrading, electrolyser and methanator by 15-40% compared to scenario when biogas storage is not considered.

Food waste ; biogas upgrading ; methane ; renewable electricity ; optimisation

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