Potential of biogas expansion in Sweden: identifying the gap between potential studies and producer perspectives

Abstract

Many studies are available on the potential for increased biogas development and production in Sweden. The studies have varied assumptions on availability and potential for different substrates in addition to the demand for biogas in the transportation sector. Despite the potentials outlined, a dramatic increase has not been met in the biogas sector in Sweden and the constraints faced by biogas producers are rarely outlined. The aim of the article is to highlight this gap between potential studies and biogas producer perspectives in order to understand which factors affect the expansion of biogas in Sweden. Through a review of these factors and using SWOT analysis, the research provided has identified that important factors for Sweden include, for example, the availability and competition for substrate, digestate handling, regulations, and market incentives and support for biogas production.

Keywords:

• biogas
• market
• potential
• substrate
• digestate

Acknowledgment

The author would like to acknowledge the Biogas Research Centre at Linköping University and the Swedish Energy Agency for their support to make this research project possible. Gratitude is owed to Professor Mats Eklund and Associate Professor Niclas Svensson of the Biogas Research Centre of Linköping University for their thoughts and support with the article. Finally gratitude is extended to IVL-Swedish Environmental Research Institute and the f3-Swedish Knowledge Centre for Renewable Transportation Fuels for financial support to complete the article.