How to decentralise our energy supply using biogas

Gloria Rupf

The purpose of the project discussed in this report was to demonstrate that biogas energy systems are an integral and relevant part of ensuring a sustainable future. In order to do this, the first objective of the project was to develop a methodology for designing sustainable energy systems using biogas technology. The methodology was developed after reviewing existing literature on sustainable design methodologies. The proposed methodology consists of five main stages; identifying the fundamental desired outcome, investigating the energy requirements, biogas resource assessment, biogas technology review and designing the biogas energy supply system. The second objective of this project was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the potential biogas resources in Western Australia. The research into the biogas potential from waste resources in WA was limited to the wheat, dairy, pork and meat processing industries. The estimated annual energy production potential from these resources in WA is 2,030GWh. Biogas is currently an underutilised technology in Western Australia and further investigation is highly recommended to more accurately assess the potential of biogas in the state. The developed design methodology was applied to design a sustainable biogas system for a meat processing facility in the southwest of Western Australia. The application of the design process highlighted the ability of biogas technologies to provide decentralised energy supply and increase reliability, in addition to meeting the desired outcome of reducing the costs and greenhouse gas emissions related to the facility’s current energy consumption. The recommended biogas technology for the meat processing facility, based on the outcomes of the design process, is a two-stage continuous stirred tank reactor, which is one of many proven biogas technologies that has been used successfully internationally over many years.

How to decentralise our energy supply using biogas

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