Environmental analysis of biogas production systems

Abstract

The awareness of an energy market in evolution leads us to look for solutions through new and different technological and normative instruments. Of particular interest is anaerobic digestion, a mature but still promising technology that could help to minimize environmental impact related to both GHG emissions and livestock waste management, and to add value to agricultural byproducts. The biogas energy system is extremely complex because of a series of variables such as the raw materials, adopted technologies, different uses of obtained energy products and digestate. Therefore, the environmental assessment will depend on the energy context and its potential changes on waste management, as well as the geographical area of reference. This article aims to assess the environmental impact of biogas production systems, taking into account both the indirect benefits achieved by replacement of fossil fuels and the direct benefits coming from changes in land use, raw materials and animal effluent management.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors take part in the Strategic and Technological Advancement in Research on AgroEnergy Project of the University of Foggia, Italy. The project is funded by the EC, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, SP4 – Capacities, Coordination and Support Action, Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), Regpot 2011-1. Grant Agreement No. 286269. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.