STATE OF BIOGAS INJECTION TO THE GAS GRID IN GERMANY

1 Background Biomass and especially biogas is deemed to be part of the desired substitution of fossil energy. The majority of biogas systems in Germany have an electric power output below 500 kW (Fig. 1). They are generally installed in rural areas where the efficient use of the co-produced heat is hardly possible and approximately 50 % of the energy content of the biogas is dissipated. Fig. 1 shows explicitly the push effect of the German act on granting priority to renewable energy sources (EEG) in 2004 [1]. The purpose described in article 1 of this act is to protect the climate by facilitating the use of renewable energies. This is achieved by paying a guaranteed price for the produced electric energy which includes a bonus if compared to conventionally produced electric energy. From the beginning of 2009 new payment provisions have been applied [2].