A new report on biogas in Norway was handed over to the government today. The background is, among other things, that biogas has become a key to reducing European dependence on natural gas from Russia. The report calculates today’s biogas potential at 6 TWh, and adds that this can be multiplied. The greatest potential is in animal manure, biological waste and sewage sludge. – This means that we can produce energy equivalent to 15–30 Alta power plants, without infringing on the rights of indigenous people or making major inroads into nature, says Runar Bålsrud in Waste Norway. What is biogas? Biogas is created when organic material, such as fertiliser, food waste, plant residues, waste water and others, is broken down by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment. Biogas mainly consists of methane. During combustion, CO2 and water are formed. Since the raw material comes from biological material, the combustion is considered CO2-neutral as it enters the natural CO2 cycle. Biogas can be used to produce electricity, heat and fuel. The most important raw materials (substrata) for biogas production are: wet organic waste sewage sludge fish sludge livestock manure other organic material The gas yield is often better when you combine different raw materials. Livestock manure and sewage sludge constitute a potentially large source for the production of biogas. Raw materials from forestry are often less suitable for biogas production due to their high cellulose and lignin content, which requires more pre-treatment. After the microorganisms have done their job and produced methane, you are left with a liquid residual product called bioresidue. The bioresidue is a nutrient-rich mass that is suitable as fertilizer for plants. Source: The Norwegian Environment Agency In February, another report said that sludge that is currently washed into the sea – i.e. fish poo and feed residues – could instead produce electricity for 600,000 households (3 TWh). Last year, the EU adopted a target to increase biogas production to 342 TWh by 2030. A Norwegian target has not been defined, but the Norwegian Maritime Directorate has proposed using biogas on cruise ships. – Now we have figures on the table that show that the “gold for the farmer” (fertilizer) will be an important part of the energy mix going forward, says Egil Chr. Hoen, who is deputy leader of the Norwegian Farmers Association. A new report on biogas in Norway was handed over to the government today by Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch (Sp). Photo: Snorre Tønset – Why does Fredrik Solvang have a whole broadcast about nuclear power? At the launch, the opposition in the Storting was also represented. Everyone expressed irritation that biogas is no longer on the agenda. During a subsequent panel discussion, Alfred Bjørlo (V) made a point of all the attention that the nuclear power alternative gets, while the more tangible biogas technology goes under the radar. – Why does Fredrik Solvang have a whole broadcast about nuclear power and South Korean technology that will not contribute one iota to Norwegian value creation in the next 15 years? he asked. He further clarified that it is not knowledge that matters, but “political will and ability” to define goals and direction. – It is understandable that more arrangements have not been made to utilize available and existing waste resources to produce biogas. The potential of 10 TWh by 2030 is significantly more realistic than nuclear power or large-scale new onshore wind power, says Truls Gulowsen, who is the leader of the Nature Conservation Association. This is what they say about the report Asbjørn Torvanger, Cicero – Biogas is too low on the Norwegian agenda, as a simple and reasonable climate measure, with good and robust potential where only a few percent have been utilized today, and which should also be an area where Norway could improve the technology. Vilde Haarsaker, assistant general secretary of the Small Farmers Association – It is positive that there has been more knowledge about the possibilities for biogas in Norway. For agriculture, this means that they have calculated how much manure is theoretically available, but they have not looked at what is practically possible. For example, in some places in the country it will not be expedient to establish large-scale co-treatment plants, either because of long transport distances between farms and/or because of limited access to other raw materials. If one is to establish a farm for biogas, it requires quantities of fertilizer corresponding to a relatively high number of animals according to Norwegian conditions. Thus, it will be very challenging for small and medium-sized farms to adopt the technology. We are concerned that technology must be adapted to the Norwegian resource base, and not the other way around. In order to keep areas in operation across the country, the farms cannot be too large. Truls Gulowsen, Naturvernforbundet – Biogas has great potential and that it is understandable that more arrangements have not been made to utilize available and existing waste resources to produce biogas. The potential of 10TWh by 2030 is significantly more realistic and feasible than many other project ideas, such as nuclear power or large-scale new onshore wind power, and we hope the industry will be heard this time. Runar Bålsrud, managing director. i Avfall Noreg – We have now received yet another report that shows the enormous potential that lies in biogas. We can at least tenfold the production from Norwegian waste resources and produce energy equivalent to 15–30 Alta power plants – without infringing on the rights of indigenous people or making major inroads into nature. At the same time, we get to use bio-waste, which today largely only goes to landfill. This would also be an important step on the way from a linear to a circular economy. It is simply strange that the politicians are so clumsy and do not take up this possibility. Why don’t they do that? Sigrun Aasland, manager of Zero – Biogas is a very important climate solution and a low-hanging fruit we talk about far too little. Biogas can help to cut emissions within transport, maritime and industry. Then both demand and production need to be brought up. We believe there is potential for new biogas production of 1.2 TWh in 2030 from animal manure, food waste and fish waste. Although use and production are increasing, the potential is still great. Because neighboring countries such as Denmark have more favorable framework conditions, not only is production greater there, but we also currently send raw materials out of the country. We expect the government to follow up decisions from the budget negotiations on the ban on fossil fuel burning in industry and climate requirements in the CO₂ compensation scheme, both of which could trigger increased demand for biogas. Bjørn-Ole Juul-Hansen, leader of the Meat and Poultry Industry’s National Association – In Norway, we are far behind our neighboring countries in terms of investing in biogas. Not least because Norwegian authorities are far too “stingy” to support biogas projects. We have advocated that much more needs to be invested to get maximum energy out of livestock manure – but so far far too little is happening. Sigrun Aasland, who is manager of Zero, calls biogas “a low-hanging fruit we talk about far too little”. – Biogas can help to cut emissions. But then we have to raise both demand and production, she says. Energy policy spokesperson in Høgre, Bård Ludvig Thorheim, expressed disappointment that the Energy Commission, which submitted its report in February, did not quantify how much power should come from biogas. – What a pity. But this report is a good step on the way, he says. Biogas has become a key to reducing European dependence on natural gas from Russia. Here’s a plant in Germany Photo: Martin Meissner / AP Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are on the rise In 2019, Norwegian agriculture joined a voluntary climate agreement with the state where the intention is to reduce emissions in the sector by 20 percent. But the goal is a long way off, and in the last two years the distance has only gotten bigger. The increase is mainly due to more dairy and suckling cows, and an increase in the amount of mineral fertiliser. This is shown by new figures from Statistics Norway. – Norwegian authorities are far too stingy to support biogas projects, and we are therefore far behind our neighboring countries, says Bjørn-Ole Juul-Hansen, who is the leader of the National Association of the Meat and Poultry Industry. Bionova is the name of a new fund that will stimulate more renewable energy in agriculture. – With Bionova, we get the chance to target our efforts, said Agriculture and Food Minister Sandra Borch last year. – We hear all the time that everything should be electrified, but not so much about biogas, said Edvard Kunzendorf (KrF) during the panel discussion. Photo: H. Philip Hofgaard / news – Biogas is a piece of cake After the price of natural gas fell in the weather, biogas has become more profitable to produce. In May last year, an unusual climate alliance emerged when Terje Halleland (Frp) and Lan Marie Berg (MDG) under the duet name “Halle-lan” pressured the government to deliver faster toll cuts for biogas trucks. reported NHO that 12 percent of the Norwegian truck fleet could be on biogas in 2030 – “if the price of biogas remains below the price of diesel”. In a chronicle, the managing director of NHO, Ole Erik Almlid, writes that biogas is “an egg for the Norwegian transport industry and the climate”. He points out that biogas provides: negative emissions circular economy in practice competitive prices – When we take into account all climate effects from production, transport and avoided methane emissions, biogas vehicles are fantastically good for the climate. Experts disagree on whether nuclear power is part of the solution to the climate problem.
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More of Norway can be powered by biogas – news Vestland
