Material and energy flows of industrial biogas plants in Switzerland in the context of the circular economy
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2022-12
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Today, biomass is one of many countries most important renewable energy sources. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising alternative to treating organic wastes from both energy and nutrient perspectives. Here, we develop a material flow model to assess the current utilization of wet biomass in industrial AD installations from mass, energy, and nutrient perspectives in Switzerland. We then identify how the current situation fits into the circular economy concept and develop quantitative scenarios for the future of industrial AD. The nutrient transfer coefficients through AD are >74 %. In the future, this could replace up to 14,000 t/a of chemical fertilizers, saving up to 40,000 t/a of CO2-eq. Today, however, 70 t/a plastic ends up in the fields after AD, which should be improved if AD is to increase in the future. Thus, increased AD of organic wastes could reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting a circular economy.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
20
Pages / Article No.
101273
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Biomass; Bioenergy; Waste treatment; Energy flow analysis; Substance flow analysis; Sustainability
Organisational unit
03732 - Hellweg, Stefanie / Hellweg, Stefanie