Use the potential of biogas better

The electricity and heat generation through biogas can be increased by 20 to 30 percent. Minister of Agriculture Peter Hauk therefore demands that the legal restrictions for plant operators flexible in a temporal time.

"The soulful energy costs present all of us with great challenges. For weeks, where possible to save natural gas, it has also been to find new ways to replace it. Biogas plants have great potential that we now have to include in the energy mix. Space and consumer protection, Peter Hauk on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, on the occasion of his visit to Bioenergie Ganterhof GmbH & Co in the Ravensburg district as part of his summer tour. "With biogas we can save natural gas - our plant operators are ready to defuse the gas deficiency.

Biogas production based on regionally existing resources has become very important since the Russian attack war on Ukraine. Substrates stored for up to twelve months and previously unused residues and by-products from food processing, such as apple and grape nerves, there is previously unused potential. "With the existing material over the winter months, we can increase electricity and heat generation from biogas by 20 to 30 percent. For this, we now have to flexible the legal restrictions for system operators for a limited time. These measures would be effective immediately and contribute directly to defuse the gas deficiency position," emphasized Minister Hauk. Biogas plant operators are strong and reliable partners who are available.

biogas plant supplies companies directly on site

The Bioenergie Ganterhof GmbH & Co. KG has been supplying the neighboring company Vetter Pharma with renewable energy for many years. About a third of the generated biogas is provided via a gas line for the operation of a satellite block heating unit on the company premises. The heat generated in the motors is used as a process heat and fed into a local heating network to supply another ten businesses.

"The energy partnership between the biogas company of the Christ family and the Vetter Pharma company is exemplary for a strong, crisis -proof rural area, because it is almost energy self -sufficient and therefore less susceptible to international crises and supply chains," praised Minister Hauk.

Due to the on-site renovation of biogas, less natural gas is required to generate electricity. Hauk emphasized that every kilowatt hour is counting that the country can now produce itself. "The biggest pound of bioenergy is that it can be saved and available at all times. It complements the renewable energy mix from wind and sun. It is clear that activation of biogas plants alone does not make us independent of the Russian natural gas. But every measure counts in this direction!

adjust legal framework for biogas plants

The existing production capacities of the approximately 1,000 biogas plants in Baden-Württemberg, or 9,500 biogas plants in Germany, are currently not fully exploited. Due to various lids, companies cannot currently produce the maximum possible biogas volume. Some lids are building law, others are connected to the respective operating permit. The funding according to the Renewable Energy Sources Act also depends on a assessment service that must not be exceeded. These regulations must therefore be flexible and adapted in time.

The federal government announced in July 2022 to suspend the annual maximum production of biogas plants in July 2022. The country supports with the "State strategy sustainable bioeconomy" Baden-Württemberg towards a climate-neutral life and economy.