Trafikdage 2012 The use of biogas for road transport (heavy Jean Endres Per Homann Jespersen duty vehicles) in Denmark
Background The article: Presentation and discussion of the findings obtained on two workshops focused on the developent of a biogas transport corridor between Southern Scandinavia and Northern Germany Part of the EU Interreg program to develop cross regional colaboration. (Focus on Denmark) Projects involved: Scandria Transport Corridor; Øresund EcoMobility; Regions Involved: Region Scania and Region Halland (SE); Region Zealand and Copenhagen Capital Region (DK); Hamburg, Mecklemburg-Vorpomern, Schleswig-Holstein (DE) Other partners: Educational institutions from SE, DK and DE; Public authorities; Industry representatives and more.
Where about? Geographical area of the transport corridor Scandria Project Interreg IV A
Why biogas? First and foremost to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to reduce CO2 emissions; The EU stipulates a goal reduction of GHG emissions of 80 to 95% by 2050. Denmark s goal is to have a fossil fuel free transport sector by 2050. Because of the limited potential for the use of electricity for transport, especially for heavy duty vehicles biogas comes as a good alternative; Today s electric technology is not yet satisfactory regarding heavy duty vehicles. Gas powered trucks are a reality and are part of the portfolio of companies such as Volvo and Scania.
Why biogas? Denmark possesses natural gas reserves Estimated to be finished by 2030. Could guarantee supply and act as a bridging fuel until biogas production is fully explored; Biogas can be produced from manure and waste Avoids the dilemma food for fuel that concerns ethanol production for example.
Biogas basics Gas produced by the fermentation of different products such as manure, household waste, different energy crops, sewage Biogas contains high amounts of Methane gas (CH4 up to 80%), but also undesirable elements such as NH3 (Ammonia), H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide, highly corrosive). In order to be used in combustion engines it has to be upgraded.
Biogas basics To upgrade the biogas means to remove its impurities and therefore increase its CH4 content up to >99%, the equivalent of natural gas contents. Biogas can be transported via pipeline or liquefied for transportation by vessels or trucks. Part of the liquefaction process is to upgrade the original product, the volume is also considerably reduced making transportation cheaper. Different studies show that a liquefaction plant is cost benefitial, but its start up is very capital intensive. (Johannesson 2011)
What is necessary for a biogas market for transport? The basics Engine technology/trucks; Filling stations network; Biogas production to kick-start; Costumers. The good to have Distribution pipeline; Supply security by natural gas back-up for example; Certification system; Upgrading plant.
What do we have in Denmark? Engine technology/trucks The technology is ready, truck manufacturers can produce a single engine that can run on biogas, natural gas and diesel. Filling Stations While Sweden counts with modern and numerous biogas filling stations, Denmark is lacking behind, not a network. Biogas Production Denmark explores only 5% of its biogas production potential (Nielsen-Danish Biogas Association 2012). Costumers Experimental projects, not significant.
What do we have in Denmark? Danish biogas production and potential Danish Biogas Association 2012
What do we have in Denmark? Distribution pipeline Large coverage, used for natural gas with small biogas injection. (most is used directly on CHP s) Natural gas to secure supply With reserves expected to last up to 2030. Certification sytem Since December 2011. Upgrading plants Existing but still expensive process.
If we have all that why don t we have a market? In the triple helix workshops the two main discussed issues were: Political commitment - How to give security for investors (truck owners, filling stations, producers ) that the venture will continue? Which incentives one might have to join the biogas market? Certification - The initial workshop happened before the Danish certification system started running last December.
Certification Very basically, a certification system treats biogas as a virtual commodity, in the same way that one can buy clean electricity today, one could buy natural gas for example with a certified ammount of biogas input somewhere in the grid. It gives more flexibility and transforms bio and natural gas from competitors to complementary fuels. With certification, biogas can be used on heat and power stations that today use coal and green carbon neutral natural gas used for transport fuel.
Political commitment What is missing? Incentives: Gas vehicles are more expensive and although greener, taxes are the same as to diesel/gasoline vehicles. Technological neutrality: Electric vehicles seem to be the favorite child. Good examples/more demonstration projects: There seems to be a lack of awareness about how ready gas engine technology is. Express or tacit guarantees that the single person or company that places its bets on biogas (buy a biogas truck, set up a filling station invest in a small scale biogas production plant etc.) will be able to count with infrastructure, competitive price, and availability of suppliers/buyers for the years to come.
Workshops conclusions If the EU and Danish goals for 2050 are to be achieved, biogas is a necessity. Certification has a very positive impact Natural gas and biogas should complement each other until gradual natural gas phase out. With certificates, biogas should be used for CHP while natural gas should be used for transport without necessity of upgrading. Technology neutral incentives and guarantees should be given to potential investors. Good examples/demonstration projects should be put to practice.
Why to incentive biogas? Reduction in fossil fuel dependency; Reduction in CO2 emissions to cope with the 2050 goals; Estabilization of the wind powered electricity grid - peak wind electricity production does not always match peak consumption, electric energy cannot be efficiently stored yet. Green job generation in the farm areas Small plants need to be built, farmers can profit from selling gas to the system. Manure polution mitigation Soil contamination, smell etc. Household waste increased value Instead of burning or spreading it on wastelands, biogas could be produced from it, the sub product can be used as fertilizer.
Not to mention Further technology development Increase production, liquefaction, export Future biogas use in other means of transportation Sea vessels to comply with IMO-MARPOL VI for 2015 emission reductions for the Baltic Sea. Colaboration with neighbouring countries Green transport corridors, product standardization, Europewide certification system.
Good examples Sweden has adopted a policy for their public service fleet renovation. Newly aquired public service vehicles in Sweden (city busses, trash trucks etc), have a gas, electric or ethanol engine. That boosts up the rate for fleet renewal, since public vehicles are later sold to private owners. It generates demand for production and distribution Helps further technology development and gives more confidence to the potential renewable fuel vehicle adopter.