The panel discussion brought together representatives from industry, researchers and interested members of the public. It marked the conclusion of a study visit focusing on biogas solutions, organised by the Biogas Solutions Research Center, BSRC, on Gotland in autumn 2024. Participants included members of the BSRC network and biogas stakeholders with ties to Gotland.
During the discussion, many different perspectives were shared on the current status of biogas, both as a non fossil fuel and as a way of utilising the energy potential in residual products from, for example, the food industry.
鈥淏iogas has almost no conflicting interests. Many people simply see it as a positive solution. And even though tax incentives have been reduced and the number of gas powered passenger cars is declining in Sweden, we still have very good conditions in this country,鈥� Mats Eklund emphasised.
The passenger car market
He pointed out that heavy vehicles such as lorries and tractors, as well as shipping and industry, require non fossil fuels such as biogas. Several participants also described a certain inertia in the Swedish passenger car market.
鈥淒espite favourable conditions, biogas has been difficult to implement. We need the involvement of many different actors. Society is organised in silos, and each silo on its own is often insufficient. This is why municipalities and regions are extremely important key players. We need to think more broadly. As a competence centre, BSRC can contribute research and knowledge,鈥� said Mats Eklund.
We have replaced two million
litres of petrol and diesel
Lars Erik Jansson is a consultant and financial adviser specialising in biogas related issues. He works closely with Biogas Gotland and described the crucial role of public authorities in getting operations off the ground.
As recently as 2009, there was no biogas production on Gotland. Today, 20 gigawatt hours of biogas are sold annually, which corresponds to replacing two million litres of petrol and diesel. This development does not happen automatically. The regional authority has been a very important actor through its procurement processes. The food industry has also played a key role by purchasing fossil free energy from Biogas Gotland. The current focus is now on lorry transport on the island.
Self sufficiency
He described an ambition that is frequently discussed on Gotland.
鈥淭he goal is to become completely self sufficient on the island. However, there are many questions that still need to be resolved. One example is whether to opt for liquefied biogas or not. I have previously been sceptical of liquefaction since it adds another step that requires energy and increases production costs. But we are now seeing facilities that appear to be achieving profitability.鈥�
Issues related to preparedness and resilience were also raised, along with other potential uses of biogas.
鈥淢unicipalities have started to work more broadly on preparedness. Not only focusing on energy, but also on nutrient management and food security. Biogas fits very well into this context since it produces high quality biofertiliser as a residual product,鈥� said Jonas Ammenberg, Senior Lecturer at Link枚ping University.
Multiple functions
Annika Bj枚rn, also a Senior Lecturer at Link枚ping University, highlighted that biogas can be used for more than just energy production.
鈥淓ven as markets evolve, the biogas process itself remains highly interesting. Biogas has many multifunctional uses beyond producing large volumes of gas, including methane.
It is possible, for example, to steer parts of the process towards medium chain fatty acids, reduce gas production and instead produce environmentally friendly biochemicals. This adds flexibility to the system.鈥�
Sven Erik Svensson, Lecturer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, emphasised the importance of listening to farmers.
鈥淭hey often have very good ideas. There is significant development potential when it comes to agricultural machinery, but also in the cultivation of feedstocks for biogas production.鈥�
Growing crops for biogas
Under current regulations, cultivating food crops and cereals for fuel is difficult.
鈥淗owever, there is a certain reluctance to address the issue of biogas and crop cultivation. At the same time, the potential is considerable. Instead of leaving land fallow, for example. This is something that can help keep agriculture viable. There are also grass resources along roadsides and from ley cropping. One method currently being studied involves extracting protein from grasses to produce animal feed that can replace imported soya, while the residual material can be used for biogas production,鈥� Mats Eklund explained.
He also encouraged participants to actively communicate the benefits of biogas.
鈥淐ompanies operating within the biogas sector should collaborate more closely. This is one of my key priorities as Director of BSRC. The interaction between industry, farmers, public authorities and other business actors is something we need to highlight and communicate more clearly,鈥� said Mats Eklund.
