Biogas Production in Agriculture: Technological, Environmental, and Socio-Economic Aspects

Krzysztof Pilarski (), Agnieszka A. Pilarska () and Michał B. Pietrzak
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Krzysztof Pilarski: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka A. Pilarska: Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Ul. Piątkowska 94A, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
Michał B. Pietrzak: Department of Statistics and Econometrics, Gdańsk University of Technology, Ul. Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-36

Abstract: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the technological, environmental, economic, regulatory, and social dimensions shaping the development and operation of agricultural biogas plants. The paper adopts a primarily European perspective, reflecting the comparatively high share of agricultural inputs in anaerobic digestion (AD) across EU Member States, while drawing selective comparisons with global contexts to indicate where socio-geographical conditions may lead to different outcomes. It outlines core principles of the AD process and recent innovations—such as enzyme supplementation, microbial carriers, and multistage digestion systems—that enhance process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The study emphasises substrate optimisation involving both crop- and livestock-derived materials, together with the critical management of water resources and digestate within a circular-economy framework to promote sustainability and minimise environmental risks. Economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and social dynamics are examined as key factors underpinning successful biogas implementation. The paper synthesises evidence on cost–benefit performance, investment drivers, regulatory challenges, and support mechanisms, alongside the importance of community engagement and participatory governance to mitigate land-use conflicts and ensure equitable rural development. Finally, it addresses persistent technical, institutional, environmental, and social barriers that constrain biogas deployment, underscoring the need for integrated solutions that combine technological advances with policy support and stakeholder cooperation. This analysis offers practical insights for advancing sustainable biogas use in agriculture, balancing energy production with environmental stewardship, food security, and rural equity. The review is based on literature identified in Scopus and Web of Science for 2007 to 2025 using predefined keyword sets and supplemented by EU policy and guidance documents and backward- and forward-citation searches.

Keywords: agricultural biogas production; anaerobic digestion; substrate management; water and soil protection; rural equity; economic viability; legal barriers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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