Expert Views on the Future Development of Biogas Business Branch in Germany, The Netherlands, and Finland until 2030

Erika Winquist, Michiel Van Galen, Simon Zielonka, Pasi Rikkonen, Diti Oudendag, Lijun Zhou and Auke Greijdanus
Additional contact information
Erika Winquist: Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), P.O. Box 2, 00791 Helsinki, Finland
Michiel Van Galen: Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Prinses Beatrixlaan 582-528, Postbus 29703, 2502 LS Den Haag, The Netherlands
Simon Zielonka: State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Pasi Rikkonen: Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), P.O. Box 2, 00791 Helsinki, Finland
Diti Oudendag: Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Prinses Beatrixlaan 582-528, Postbus 29703, 2502 LS Den Haag, The Netherlands
Lijun Zhou: State Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Auke Greijdanus: Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Prinses Beatrixlaan 582-528, Postbus 29703, 2502 LS Den Haag, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: To be able to meet the European Union’s energy and climate targets for 2030, all member states need to rethink their energy production and use. One potential renewable energy source is biogas. Its role has been relatively small compared to other energy sources, but it could have a more central role to solve some specific challenges, e.g., to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from traffic, or to act as a buffer to balance electricity production with consumption. This research analyses how the future of the biogas business in three case study countries is developing until 2030. The study is based on experts’ views within the biogas business branch in Germany, The Netherlands, and Finland. Both similarities and differences were found among the experts’ answers, which reflected also the current policies in different countries. The role of biogas was seen much wider than just to provide renewable energy, but also to decrease emissions from agriculture and close loops in a circular economy. However, the future of the biogas branch is much dependent on political decisions. To be able to show the full potential of biogas technology for society, stable and predictable energy policy and cross-sector co-operation are needed.

Keywords: expert survey; renewable energy; biogas; biomethane; biogas plant; business model; political support system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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