Biogas as a Renewable Source of Energy in Germany——Potentials, Costs and Environmental Effects

摘要

Between 1990 and 2000, in Germany the amount of biogas plants increased significantly. Today, it is estimated that there are nearly 2000 plants with an installed electrical capacity of approximately 175 MW. The sector represents approximately 50% of the overall electrical energy produced from biomass in Germany. Additionally, the existing potentials for biogas production are very high. The full exploitation of the given potentials would allow for an about 120 times higher biogas production than today. Compared to other options tor electricity production from renewable sources of energy this potential is available with relatively low production costs. Depending on the costs of the substrates electrical energy production costs from biogas plants vary today between 0.05 and approximately 0.13Euro/kW·h.Regarding environmental effects biogas production and utilisation can contribute easily to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and thus help to fulfil the Kyoto commitments.