TEWE Biogas’ vision

TEWE Biogas has set itself the vision of taking on a central role in the sustainable energy transition with tailored, high-performance biogas plants. As a pioneer in the use and exploitation of organic waste and renewable raw materials, TEWE Biogas is helping reduce its impact on the environment and save natural resources. With a deep understanding of the specific requirements of industry, commerce and agriculture, TEWE strives to promote the circular economy and minimise dependence on fossil fuels.

Continuous integration of cutting-edge technologies in electronics and control technology allows TEWE to offer tailored solutions which maximise efficiency and operational safety. AI-assisted systems and innovative control technology grant operators the flexibility to adapt their biogas plants to changing market conditions and legal regulations. TEWE’s vision is to offer every customer a holistic, future-proof solution which offers both environmental and economic benefits and elevates the biogas industry to a new level of efficiency.

Our future strategy – i.e., the vision of our company set out here – is based on our assessment of the increasing importance of biogas in the overall mix of renewable energies. The possibilities for producing biogas are far from exhausted, especially in view of its versatility and its ability to generate energy from organic waste and renewable raw materials. The following key areas shed some light on the current importance, potential and possible future role of biogas:

Current importance in the renewable energy mix

Around the world, biogas aids in the achievement of climate goals by replacing fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This is why biogas is already a pillar of energy production in many countries, frequently being used for electricity and heat production. Biogas plants are able provide energy continuously and they aren’t dependent on weather conditions like solar or wind energy. This makes biogas a stable energy source which plays a key role in network stability, as it is able to supply the base load and compensate for fluctuations in the network.

The potential of biogas

Biogas has enormous potential, especially when it comes to the exploitation of organic waste from industry, agriculture and private households. Studies show that biogas has the potential to cover about 10% of global electricity demand if all available organic waste products are utilised. In some European states, biogas alone could cover up to 20% of the electricity demand if the maximum potential of biomass is effectively converted into energy.

On top of that, biogas contributes to the circular economy, as digestate produced during fermentation can be used as a natural fertiliser. This reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers and closes nutrient cycles. Biogas production from waste also allows a reduction of methane emissions which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere during the decomposition of the waste.

Future role and development potential

Biogas is expected to play an even bigger role in the energy mix of the future as it can be well combined with other renewable energies. Biogas plants benefit in particular from their flexibility: They can be easily adapted to meet demand and compensate for weather-related fluctuations. By integrating flexibility solutions and flexibility marketing, biogas can be used as a ‘controllable’ renewable energy source that improves grid stability.

The ongoing development of biogas technology, especially in the area of carbon capture and hydrogen production, is opening up new possibilities. In Power-to-Gas systems, biogas can be converted into synthetic methane and fed into the natural gas network or used to produce hydrogen, which in turn can be used as a basis for green fuels. This technology could play a central role in a carbon-neutral industry and act as a much-needed alternative to fossil natural gas.

Good for the environment and the climate

Biogas comes with major environmental benefits, as it not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also has the potential to make efficient use of waste and close cycles. The emissions from the production and use of biogas are far lower than those of fossil fuels. In addition, the recovery of nutrients – e.g. turning digestate into fertiliser – allows them to be used in an eco-friendly manner, saving resources and improving soil quality.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite this significant potential, the biogas industry also faces challenges, for example in terms of costs, efficiency and acceptance. Constructing and operating biogas plants is expensive, and not every country offers subsidy programmes to give the industry adequate support. Therefore, the future role of biogas will depend heavily on the extent to which political and regulatory conditions promote its usage and development.