Assessment of the Cost-Reduction Potential of Different Technology Improvements for a Competitive Biogas Production

Abstract

A substantial reduction of biogas production costs is necessary to reach cost-competitiveness of electricity produced from biogas using energy crops. Cost reduction opportunities are identified for several technologi- cal parameters within a sensitivity analysis. The analysed parameters are then evaluated based on theoretically achievable cost reductions. Results show that even under favourable operational, economic and political conditions, the achievement of competitive cost targets for electricity production from biogas using energy crops depends on the development of highly cost efficient methods and concepts, that substantially reduce production costs and increase market shares.