Biogas costs

Savings in energy costs biogas production makes positive energy balance... 

For abiotic stock resources, the resource value is set as equal to the production and environmental cost for a sustainable alternative. For fossil oil, gas and coal, these alternatives are rapeseed oil, biogas and charcoal, respectively. For metal (metal ores), the production and environmental costs to upgrade low-quality ores (sustainable supplies), such as silicate minerals, to a quality similar to present day ores, using a bioenergy-driven process (near-sustainable process), is used as the resource value. 

Economic calculations for biogas plants are based on all the costs but for the yield there is only an evaluation for the biogas. Most plants operate with an economic loss. This loss depends mainly on ... 

If there is a need for odour reduction on an animal husbandry farm anaerobic digestion is one of the real possibilities. The investment and running costs of the methods, mentioned in table 3, are indicated in previous chapters. An economic calculation for the feasibility of an anaerobic digestion is open for discussion. For our purpose we must valuate the nett output of biogas. 

Table 1 showed that for a 500-pig unit the annual losses are about Dfl. 7.000,-. These losses are calculated (7) under optimal conditions. When odour reduction is the first goal, losses can be higher. Suppose that 50% of the produced biogas is not used. The extra losses are 5000 m3 a Dfl. 0,52=Dfl. 2.600,- higher. So total losses increase to Dfl. 9.600,-. Per pigplace are the costs for odour reduction nearly Dfl. 20,-. 

For a 2000-pig farm there was calculated a profit with biogas production of Dfl. 4.000,- annual. But if here 50% of the biogas is not produced or used the result will be a loss of Dfl. 6000,-. Odom reduction costs in this case Dfl. 3,- per pigplace annual. 

Costs of Producing and Using Jerusalem Artichoke, and Revenues Needed from Fodder, Methane (Biogas), and Tubers to Break Even, in Sweden in 1984... 

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