Methanisation On An International Scale: How To Develop An Economically Viable And Geo-ecological Solution For Energy Production?

The OECD Energy and agriculture consumption has known serious growth inthe last century which made them think of renewable sources and less impacting theenvironment. Several technologies have been supported with different manners. InEurope, Methanisation is known to be a clean source of energy that can produceelectricity and heat from organic wastes and treat these wastes to become fertilizers.In Europe this technique for producing energy has increased a lot the last10years,especially in Germany and northern countries. Thanks to subsidiary systems (feed intariffs, certificates, financial participation,…) it is progressively gaining importancein other countries like France and other countries of Europe but some aspects restrainthe development and slow down its expansion. High capital required at investmentstage and regulatory burdens are important barriers for its development. This studyfirstly defines the technology functioning and the different input: dry or wet organicwastes that can come from industries or agriculture. Then, it also explains thedifferent output possibilities: energy as heat and electricity, and digestate that can beused as a dry or wet fertilizer. In addition, it states its advantages regarding economyas it can foster a region by creating local jobs and producing stable energy. But it alsostates the advantage regarding environment as it could be used instead of fossil fueland can produce quality fertilizer. Secondly, this study concentrates on theaccelerators and impediments of the expansion of methanisation by comparingFrance and Germany. With less than200methanisation plants (at farm andindustrial), France is far from the6000German’s methanisation plants, because ofthe late consideration of this technology. Then, it analyses their different subsidiarysystems and their past impacts on methanisation development. Financial andadministrative helps and their flexibility are the main tools for government towardsmethanisation development. The Feed in Tariff appears as the most efficient supportfor development. In the third part, this information is linked with the innovationpotential and the risks of the technology regarding gas usage and choices of inputs.Indeed, methanisation development has to be strictly supervised as it is a sensitiveanaerobic digestion and a risky gas production. Lastly, this work helps to understandwhy methanisation could be advantageous for countries like China, with its energyand agriculture specificities, and how this sector could be developed further more atdifferent step of projects developments.