BIOSURF inter-association workshop Stefan Majer, DBFZ „Assessment of environmental impacts from the production and use of biomethane“ BIOSURF inter-association workshop Stefan Majer, DBFZ

The DBFZ in a nutshell non-profit research institute, founded by the federal german ministry for food and agriculture approx. 200 employees focus on biomass conversion technologies, applied R&D decision support and strategy development for policy, industry, etc.

The DBFZ - research departments UFZ = Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

Motivation In the recent years, the demonstration of GHG mitigation effects from the production and use of biofuels has gained significance importance: EU RED (EU Directive 2009/28/EC): 10% target for energy from renewable sources in the transport sector by 2020 Sustainability requirements for biofuels FQD (Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC): Definition of a GHG reduction target in the national “mixture” of transportation fuels UK: Biofuel must meet a GHG emission target of 34.8 g CO2/MJ Heat or 60% GHG savings against EU fossil fuel average

How to proof the GHG-mitigation criteria According to EU RED Annex V three options do exist: use the default values included in Annex V Biogas* from municipal organic waste 73% Biogas* from wet manure 81% Biogas* from dry manure 82% (* in the form of compressed biomethane compatible with natural gas) calculate the GHG-mitigation potential with actual values combine actual values with dissagregated default values

Calculation with actual values cultivation processing transport use CO2-capture surplus electricity source: DBFZ According to EU RED Annex V

Tools for GHG accounting (examples) www.biograce.net http://gnoc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/

Exemplary results Biggest impacts from feedstock production (fertiliser production and application), energy consumption (influenced by national emission factors) and local methane emissions (leakage, digestate storage in open ponds) GHG emissions in gCO2-Eq./MJ Biomethane GHG-mitigation potential in % source: DBFZ 2014

Main challenges Main challenges with regard to GHG calculation as part of the sustainability certification for Biomethane: Allocation of by-products GHG mitigation effects from the use of agricultural wastes and manure Uncertainties related to data (methane leakage, N2O emissions, credits)

Support provided by Biosurf Assessment and Improvement of the knowledge base for the quantification of different GHG mitigation effects linked to biomethane production. Development of a number of recommendations for the adaptation of the RED GHG calculation methodology and Discussion of the most prominent drivers for emissions and potential GHG reduction measures

Workshop Questions What are your experiences with LCAs for Biogas/Biomethane production and use? What are the most pressing issues and challenges with regards to GHG-calculations that should be addressed within the Biosurf project? methodology data ?? What kind of products would be helpful for you? What do you expect? guidelines focus on specific issues (manure, methane leakage, reference systems, etc.)?

Thank you for your attention!

WP 5 Tasks (1) Methane emission reduction due to processing agri by-products (Task 5.1) source: DBFZ

WP 5 Tasks (2) 14 Methane emission reduction due to processing organic waste (Task 5.2) source: DBFZ

WP 5 Tasks (3) 15 GHG emission saving due to replacement of chemical fertilisers (Task 5.3) source: DBFZ

WP 5 Tasks (4) source: DBFZ 16 GHG emissions caused by biomethane production (Life Cycle Analysis) (Task 5.4)

WP 5 Tasks (5) source: DBFZ 17 Methodology for entitlement to CO2 certificates (Task 5.5)

What are we doing in Biosurf? Assess and Improve the knowledge base for the quantification of different GHG mitigation effects linked to biomethane production. Definition and assessment of a number of exemplary biomass-to-biomethane-value-chains with regards to their environmental impacts. Based on these assessments: a number of recommendations for the adaptation of the RED GHG calculation methodology can be developed and the most prominent drivers for emissions can be identified and described. Development of guidelines on calculating entitlement to CO2-certificates for biomethane. 18