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Energy and Agriculture System Integration LCA
– The Case of Biogas
A PhD project by Julie Houge Hansen juhh@kbm.sdu.dk
Background
There can no longer be any doubt about the need for a more sustainable development in society. The European goal is that the total
European greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 80 % compared to 1990 by 2050. The Danish goal is to be free of fossil fuels by this time;
thereby both decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and securing a sustainable energy supply.
Biogas is a renewable resource that is very versatile in the energy sector. Biogas can be temporarily stored
and used as fuel for engines and boilers or converted to other gaseous fuels such as synthetic natural
gas or liquid fuels such as methanol.
The Danish government has as its goal that up to 50 % of all manure will be used for biogas
production in 2020 and that all manure eventually is utilised for energy production.
The dry matter content of manure is very low and biogas cannot be produced feasibly without the
use of a co-substrate. The availability of suitable co-substrates is decreasing and identifying new
types is vital for the realisation of future biogas production.
Project Aim
The overall aim of this project is to investigate how biogas works as a system integrator for the entire
Danish energy system. Biogas production and utilisation impact both the energy system and agriculture
and this project aims to consider the two systems in a holistic perspective. It will consider the
environmental impacts from both biogas production and utilisation in Denmark and reflect on the
different framework conditions that are applicable. The aim is further to enhance the understanding of
how conversion of biomass through different energy conversion technologies impacts the environment,
specifically focusing on the long term productivity of agricultural soil. It further aims at identifying the
dependency on the development in background energy and transport systems considering the
environmental aspects of utilising biogas.
Project Tasks
The project will incorporate several smaller studies within the field of biogas as system integrator in the energy and agricultural system and
three specific objectives of this PhD are identified:
1) Develop a methodology for dealing with soil carbon
balances in ESA and LCA
2) Develop a methodology for assessing the role of
biogas in the energy system integration, including
fluctuating power production, heat supply, flexible
production of transport fuels and the assimilation of
hydrogen
3) Assess the implications of converting part of the Danish
transport system to gas (including upgraded biogas)
Pictures: Landbrugsinfo.dk and dr.dk
References: Birkmose, Torkild, et al. Biomasse til biogasanlæg i Danmark - på kort og langt sigt. 2013; Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy. “Energistrategi 2050 - fra kul, olie og gas
til grøn energi.” 2011; European Commision. “Communication from the Commision to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions - A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050.” 2011; The Danish Government. “Grøn Vækst.” 2009.
Start: September 2014
Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology
Supervisor: Professor Henrik Wenzel
NIels Bohrs Allé 1, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Assistant professor Lorie Hamelin
Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology