Abstract
Biogas projects have significant benefits, in particular, considerable reduction of the negative impact on atmospheric air. In order to highlight the benefits of biogas projects, it is necessary to consider the features of the source of heat or electricity generation and to compare it with the fossil fuel being replaced. Currently, the existing methodological tools do not consider the specifics of the use of various types of fuels, including alternative ones, when conducting an environmental assessment of energy projects. The purpose of this study is to develop methodological approach to the evaluation of biogas energy projects using integrated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission metrics. The indicator for the environmental efficiency assessment of an investment project with partial replacement of power consumption from the grid in terms of GHG emissions was proposed and tested on the regional energy facilities. The developed indicator considerably complements existing approaches to the efficiency assessment of biogas projects and allows to evaluate the performance of biogas projects using a single indicator that significantly simplifies the assessment procedure. It could also be paired with economic indicators such as net profit value, total capital costs in order to build a dependency matrix diagram for environmental and economic assessment of the projects. The proposed methodology could be especially useful for biogas projects implemented in countries and territories with large reserves of fossil fuels, when the profitability and economic efficiency of renewable energy projects are low.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adami L, Schiavon M, Torretta V, Costa L, Rada EC (2020) Evaluation of conventional and alternative anaerobic digestion technologies for applications to small and rural communities. Waste Manage 118:79–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.08.030
Ahmad M, Ahmed Z, Khan SA, Alvarado R (2023) Towards environmental sustainability in E−7 countries: assessing the roles of natural resources, economic growth, country risk, and energy transition. Resour Policy 82:103486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.103486
Alao MA, Popoola OM, Ayodele TR (2022) Sustainable prime movers selection for biogas-based combined heat and power for a community microgrid: a hybrid fuzzy multi criteria decision-making approach with consolidated ranking strategies. Energ Convers Manage X 16:100281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2022.100281
Annual Report of PJSC Enel Russia (2021). https://www.el5-energo.ru/upload/iblock/692/s7ftb3u57g4ijqvvsunuhyd9mlhpn8it/Annual_report_2021.pdf. Accessed 1 June 2023 (In Russian)
Balibrea-Iniesta J, Rodríguez-Monroy C, Núñez-Guerrero YM (2021) Economic analysis of the German regulation for electrical generation projects from biogas applying the theory of real options. Energy 231:120976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120976
Bedana D, Kamruzzaman M, Rana MJ, Mustafi BAA, Talukder RK (2022) Financial and functionality analysis of a biogas plant in Bangladesh. Heliyon 8(9):e10727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10727
Bianco I, Panepinto D, Zanetti M (2022) Environmental impacts of electricity from incineration and gasification: How the LCA approach can affect the results. Sustain Basel 14:92. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010092
Bleischwitz R, Yang V, Huang B, Xu X, Zhou J, McDowall W, Andrews-Speed P, Liu Z, Yong G (2022) The circular economy in China: achievements, challenges and potential implications for decarbonization. Resour Conserv Recy 183:106350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106350
Bogatyr Coal LLP (2023) Quality indicators of coal shipped by the "Bogatyr" open-pit mine of the Ekibastuz deposit for domestic needs. https://www.bogatyr.kz/media/filebrowser/pokazateli/11.pdf Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Carbon Price Tracker (2022) Ember. https://ember-climate.org/data/carbon-price-viewer. Accessed 22 May 2023
Cherubini F (2010) GHG balances of bioenergy systems—Overview of key steps in the production chain and methodological concerns. Renew Energ 35(7):1565–1573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.11.035
Circular economy action plan. European Commission (2020). https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en. Accessed 2 June 2023
Circular Economy Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China (2018). UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform. https://leap.unep.org/countries/cn/national-legislation/circular-economy-promotion-law-peoples-republic-china. Accessed 25 May 2023
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 18, 2022 No. 1441 “On the rate of payment for exceeding the greenhouse gas emission quota as part of the experiment to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the Sakhalin Region”. http://government.ru/docs/all/142679/ Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Decree of the Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region dated 04/29/2022 No. 216-UG "On approval of the scheme and program for the development of the electric power industry of the Sverdlovsk region for the period 2023–2027". http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/6600202205060001. Accessed 31 May 2023 (In Russian)
Department of the Federal State Statistics Service for the Sverdlovsk and Kurgan regions (2023). Population. https://66.rosstat.gov.ru/folder/29698. Accessed 31 May 2023 (In Russian)
Dewalkar SV, Shastri SS (2022) Life cycle environmental and economic assessment of human night soil based Malaprabha biogas plant. Mater Today Proc 60(1):160–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.12.286
Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (Text with EEA relevance). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32009L0028. Accessed 2 June 2023.
Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution (2023). EPA. https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/draft-national-strategy-prevent-plastic-pollution. Accessed 2 June 2023
Ellen Macarthur Foundation (2023). https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/. Accessed 23 May 2023
Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2035 (2020). The Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. https://minenergo.gov.ru/system/download-pdf/1026/119047. Accessed 25 May 2023. (In Russian)
UN Environment Programme “Building Circularity into Our Economies Through Sustainable Procurement” (2018). https://www.unep.org/ru/node/23755. Accessed 2 June 2023
Fernandes DJ, Ferreira AF, Fernandes EC (2023) Biogas and biomethane production potential via anaerobic digestion of manure: a case study of Portugal. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 188:113846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113846
Filimonova IV, Komarova AV, Kuzenkova VM, Provornaya IV, Kozhevin VD (2022) Emissions of CO2 in Europe and the Asia–pacific region: panel data model. Energy Rep 8(15):894–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.164
Forecast of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. https://www.economy.gov.ru/material/directions/makroec/prognozy_socialno_ekonomicheskogo_razvitiya/prognoz_socialno_ekonomicheskogo_razvitiya_rf_na_2024_god_i_na_planovyy_period_2025_i_2026_godov.html Accessed 30 October 2023. (In Russian)
Freitas FF, Furtado AC, Piñas JAV, Venturini OJ, Barros RM, Lora EES (2022) Holistic Life Cycle Assessment of a biogas-based electricity generation plant in a pig farm considering co-digestion and an additive. Energy 261(B):125340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125340
Genovese A, Ponte B, Cannella S, Dominguez R (2023) Empowering the transition towards a circular economy through empirically-driven research: past, present, and future. Int J Prod Econ 258:108765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2022.108765
Guarnieri P, Bianchini A, Rossi J, Silva LC, Trojan F, Lizot M, Oliveira Vieira B (2023) Transitioning towards a circular economy under a multicriteria and the new institutional theory perspective: a comparison between Italy and Brazil. J Clean Prod 409:137094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137094
IEA (2022). https://www.iea.org/world. Accessed 25 May 2023
Joshi S (1999) Product environmental life cycle assessment using input output techniques. J Ind Ecol 3(2–3):95–120. https://doi.org/10.1162/108819899569449
Karaeva A, Magaril E, Rada EC (2020) Improving the approach to efficiency assessment of investment projects in the energy sector. WIT Trans Ecol Envir 246:113–123. https://doi.org/10.2495/EPM200111
Kiselev A, Magaril E (2022) Financial tools for biogas projects implementation at wastewater treatment plants: a case study of the Russian Federation. WIT Trans Ecol Envir 255:63–77. https://doi.org/10.2495/EPM220061
Kiselev A, Magaril E, Magaril R, Panepinto D, Ravina M, Zanetti MC (2019) Towards circular economy: evaluation of sewage sludge biogas solutions. Resources 8:91. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8020091
Kiselev A, Magaril E, Panepinto D, Rada EC, Ravina M, Zanetti MC (2021) Sustainable energy management benchmark at wastewater treatment plant. Sustain Basel 13:12885. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212885
Komina GP, Sauts AV (2017) Production and use of biogas in solving problems of energy conservation and environmental safe. SPbGASU, Saint-Petersburg (In Russian)
Lansche J, Muller J (2012) Life cycle assessment of energy generation of biogas fed combined heat and power plants: environmental impact of different agricultural substrates. Eng Life Sci 12(3):313–320. https://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201100061
Li Z, Qi Z, Jiang Q, Sima N (2021) An economic analysis software for evaluating best management practices to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from cropland. Agric Syst 186:102950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102950
Li C, Zhang L, Qiu F, Fu R (2022) Optimization and enviro-economic assessment of hybrid sustainable energy systems: the case study of a photovoltaic/biogas/diesel/battery system in Xuzhou. China Energy Strateg Rev 41:100852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100852
Lijó L, Lorenzo-Toja Y, González-García S, Bacenetti J, Negri M, Moreira MT (2017) Eco-efficiency assessment of farm-scaled biogas plants. Bioresource Technol 237:146–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.01.055
Madlener M, Antunes CH, Dias LC (2009) Assessing the performance of biogas plants with multi-criteria and data envelopment analysis. Eur J Oper Res 197(3):1084–1094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2007.12.051
Mayor A, Vinardell S, Ganesan K, Bacardí C, Cortina JL, Valderrama C (2023) Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic evaluation of the value chain in nutrient recovery from wastewater treatment plants for agricultural application. Sci Total Environ 892:164452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164452
Maysyuk EP, Ivanova IY (2020) Environmental assessment of different fuel types for energy production in the Arctic regions of the Russian Far East. Arctic Ecol Econ 1(37):26–36. https://doi.org/10.25283/2223-4594-2020-1-26-36
Mensah JHR, Silva ATYL, Santos IFS, Ribeiro NS, Gbed**ou MJ, Nago VG, Filho GLT, Barros RM (2021) Assessment of electricity generation from biogas in Benin from energy and economic viability perspectives. Renew Energ 163:613–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.09.014
Methane and climate change–Methane Tracker 2021. International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/reports/methane-tracker-2021/methane-and-climate-change. Accessed 22 May 2023
Meyer MA, Leckert FS (2018) A systematic review of the conceptual differences of environmental assessment and ecosystem service studies of biofuel and bioenergy production. Biomass Bioenerg 114:8–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.05.003
Miranda DS, Kulay L (2023) A prospective study on the environmental feasibility of supplying electricity to the Brazilian Amazon through biogas power generation. Sustainable Energy Technol Assess 55:102962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102962
Molar mass of gases. https://dpva.ru/Guide/GuidePhysics/GasesGeneralProperties/MoleGasMass/ Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Morosuk T, Tsatsaronis G, Koroneos C (2016) Environmental impact reduction using exergy-based methods. J Clean Prod 118:118–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.01.064
Niu S, Dai R, Zhong S, Wang Y, Qiang W, Dang L (2021) Multiple benefit assessment and suitable operation mechanism of medium- and large-scale biogas projects for cooking fuel in rural Gansu China. Sustain Energy Technol Assess 46:101285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101285
Pasciucco F, Francini G, Pecorini I, Baccioli A, Lombardi L, Ferrari L (2023) Valorization of biogas from the anaerobic co-treatment of sewage sludge and organic waste: life cycle assessment and life cycle costing of different recovery strategies. J Clean Prod 401:136762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136762
Quality indicators of coal shipped by the "Bogatyr" open-pit mine of the Ekibastuz deposit for domestic needs. https://www.bogatyr.kz/media/filebrowser/pokazateli/11.pdf Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Rada EC, Costa L, Pradella C, Adami L, Schiavon M, Magaril E, Torretta V (2019) Unconventional small-scale biogas production with reduced local impact. Int J Energ Prod Manage 4(3):198–208. https://doi.org/10.2495/EQ-V4-N3-198-208
National Recycling Strategy: Part One of a Series on Building a CE for all (2021). EPA. https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/national-recycling-strategy. Accessed 4 June 2023
Reftinskaya GRES results of 2022. https://sibgenco.online/upload/iblock/028/0284018057db61fdb494e9f6ddc4ac18.pdf. Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Reftinskaya GRES (2023). https://sibgenco.ru/main/company/generation/reftinskaya-gres/. Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Ronzhin AA, Milkov LV (2020) Urengoy oil and gas condensate field. Molodoy Ycheniy 17(307):412–413 ((In Russian))
Savini F (2023) Futures of the social metabolism: Degrowth, circular economy and the value of waste. Futures 150:103180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2023.103180
Sredneuralskaya GRES (2023). https://www.el5-energo.ru/about-us/sredneuralskaya-gres/. Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Statistics (2022). The Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. https://minenergo.gov.ru/en/activity/statistic. Accessed 25 May 2023. (In Russian)
Sun C, Fu Q, Liao Q, **a A, Huang Y, Zhu X, Reungsang A, Chang H-X (2019) Life-cycle assessment of biofuel production from microalgae via various bioenergy conversion systems. Energy 171:1033–1045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.074
The main indicators of environmental protection (2021). Statistical bulletin. https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/oxr_bul_2021.pdf. Accessed 25 May 2023. (In Russian)
The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation: The forecast of the socio and economic development of the Russian Federation for 2023 and for the planning period for 2024 and 2025. https://www.economy.gov.ru/material/file/ea2fd3ce38f2e28d51c312acf2be0917/prognoz_socialno_ekonom_razvitiya_rf_2023-2025.pdf Accessed 1 June 2023. (In Russian)
Unified Digital Platform of the Closed-Loop Economy (2023). https://reo.ru/ezc Accessed 25 May 2023. (In Russian)
Varling AS, Christensen TH, Bisinella V (2013) Life cycle assessment of alternative biogas utilisations, including carbon capture and storage or utilization. Waste Manage 157:168–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2022.12.005
Velasquez-Pinas JA, Ampese LC, Ziero H, Steinmetz R, Belt C, Forster-Carneiro T (2023) Circular bioeconomy of coffee industries: energy and techno-economic approach based on biogas and biomethane production. J Clean Prod 418:138045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138045
Wang J, Chai Y, Shao Y, Qian X (2021) Techno-economic assessment of biogas project: a longitudinal case study from Japan. Resour Conserv Recy 164:105174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105174
Wang X, Dong X, Wang X-C, Zhang P, Liu R, Klemeš JJ, Zheng J (2022) A life cycle assessment of an enterprise’s low-carbon emissions model: The **njiang Shihezi pig farm faecal treatment biogas project as a case study. J Environ Manage 304:114251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114251
Wu B, Zhang X, Shang D, Bao D, Zhang S, Zheng T (2016) Energetic-environmental-economic assessment of the biogas system with three utilization pathways: combined heat and power, biomethane and fuel cell. Bioresource Technol 214:722–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.05.026
Zanjani Z, Soares I, Macedo P (2022) The nexus between CO2 emissions from electricity generation, GDP and energy intensity using a complete maximum entropy approach: the case of Iran. Energy Rep 8(3):319–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.01.058
Zhang B, Chen B (2016) Dynamic hybrid life cycle assessment of CO2 emissions of a typical biogas project. Energy Procedia 104:396–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2016.12.067
Zhang X, Li C, Fu C, Zhang S (2008) Environmental impact assessment of chemical process using the green degree method. Ind Eng Chem Res 47(4):1085–1094. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0705599
Acknowledgements
The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation Grant No. 22-28-01740, https://rscf.ru/en/project/22-28-01740/.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
AK and EM contributed to the study conception and methodology, design, material preparation, data collection. Formal analysis was carried out by EM, AK and AK. The first draft of the manuscript was written, and visualization was done by AK and AK. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Ethical approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Kiselev, A., Magaril, E. & Karaeva, A. Environmental and economic efficiency assessment of biogas energy projects in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Energ. Ecol. Environ. 9, 68–83 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-023-00305-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-023-00305-5