M.L.C. De Bruijne

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Master thesis (1)

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The emergence of biogas infrastructures in The Netherlands

Master thesis (2011) - F. Pijnenborg (author) , M.P.C. Weijnen (mentor) , G.P.J. Dijkema (mentor) , M.L.C. De Bruijne (mentor) , A.F. Correlje (mentor) , M.C. Van Dam (mentor)

Due to increasing energy dependencies, environmental concerns and European directives on sustainability, The Netherlands is increasing its share in renewable energy production. This has led to the definition of several energy ambitions. An example is related to green gas, with the ambition of green gas substituting 50% of the natural gas supply in 2050 in The Netherlands. At this moment in time, the most significant source of green gas in The Netherlands is biogas. This biogas is produced from biomass (e.g. cattle manure) by means of biological processes. Using an upgrading process step, biogas can be brought to the quality level of natural gas: green gas. However, these upgrading facilities are expensive, which results in it only being a viable option for those producers that handle significant volumes of biomass. Due to their relative low production volume, small-scale biogas producers cannot come to a solid business case for this upgrading of biogas. A biogas gathering infrastructure (biogas hub) seems to be a useful concept in approaching a cost-effective process. In this concept, several small-scale biogas producers are coupled using a stand-alone pipeline network which leads the gas of the different producers connect to one central upgrading facility. The upgrading costs are divided amongst all producers which increases the cost-effectiveness of the production process. Although several biogas infrastructures are initiated in The Netherlands, there is still no successful physical realization. However, this is not caused by a lack of enthusiasm amongst stakeholders; both private and public organizations have shown interest. Apparently there does not seem to be a successful environment in which it is able to realize a biogas infrastructure. This thesis explores the underlying causes of the impasse that arises here, by performing a system study based on the Multiple Perspective Approach of Mittrof and Linstone (1993). Recommendations are composed which could improve the situation for emerging biogas infrastructures in The Netherlands.