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Published on: July 13, 2012
Demand-driven biogas production by flexible feeding in full-scale - Process stability and flexibility potentials
Eric Mauky1, Sören Weinrich1, Hans-Fabian Jacobi2
1Department of Biochemical Conversion, DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Torgauer Straße 116, D-04347 Leipzig, Germany; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Chair of Waste Management, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Biogas plants can provide flexible electricity by adjusting gas production. Demand-driven biogas production significantly reduces storage needs and enhances plant flexibility, supporting renewable energy integration.
Area of Science:
- Energy Systems
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Future energy systems require flexible power sources to balance intermittent renewables like solar and wind.
- Biogas plants offer a viable solution for demand-driven electricity generation, complementing renewable energy integration.
- Flexible gas production from biogas facilities presents an alternative to expanding gas storage capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the flexibility of biogas production through demand-oriented feeding in a full-scale plant.
- To assess the impact of flexible feeding on biogas plant process stability and gas production dynamics.
- To quantify potential savings in gas storage volume and improvements in plant flexibility.
Main Methods:
- Implementing flexible feeding strategies in a full-scale biogas plant.
- Monitoring intraday and short-term electricity generation flexibility.
- Analyzing long-term process stability, including acid concentrations and pH values.
- Quantifying gas production rates and storage volume requirements.
Main Results:
- Achieved up to 50% intraday flexibility in gas production compared to the average.
- Demonstrated potential for electricity supply shutdowns of up to 3 days by reducing gas production by over 60%.
- Confirmed no negative impact on long-term process stability despite flexible feeding.
- Observed variable gas production rates and dynamic changes in acid profiles and pH values.
Conclusions:
- Demand-driven biogas production offers significant operational flexibility for energy grids.
- Flexible feeding can reduce required gas storage volumes by up to 65%.
- Biogas plants can be effectively utilized for flexible energy supply, enhancing grid stability with high renewable energy penetration.
