Renewable Energy Project Development Programme (PDP) Southeast Asia

Energy from Biomass and Biogas: Technology and Market

Development in Germany
Business and study trip to Germany
Time: 1-7 September 2013

Experiences from one of the world’s largest bioenergy markets

Bioenergy is the most diverse renewable energy source and makes a significant contribution to today's
renewable energy supply in Germany. Energy obtained in the form of biomass is convertible into solid,
liquid and gaseous forms of energy either for electricity or heat production. Used as distributed
electricity generation plants in integrated grids, biomass facilities are well suited as reliable
background reserve systems that can compensate for the fluctuating electricity output from other
renewable energy sources. One distinct advantage bioenergy has compared to the other renewable
energies is its storability. Storage of bioenergy can either be done in the form of raw material, in
gaseous forms or by converting it into dry materials like bio-coal via the innovative new technology
hydro thermal carbonization (HTC) which recently gained market maturity.

Through the development, production, planning, installation and grid integration of these large
bioenergy power plants, the German industry gained extensive experience and became market leader
in this field of technology in Europe. In 2012 biomass accounted for ca. 8 % of the total final energy
consumed in Germany. With about 37 billion kWh, bioenergy covered 6 % of total electricity
consumption, 9.5% of heating energy and 6 % of total transport fuel consumption (based on final
energy consumption). Small and medium decentralised gas plants played a major role in the
development of the sector and are estimated to be strongest driver for the large share of installed
bioenergy capacity today.

This strong market development was only possible due to a stable support scheme for renewable
energies like the Renewable Energy Sources Act
(EEG) with a purchase obligation for distribution
utilities, priority connection and a fixed feed-in-
tariff payment over a period of 20 years. The
introduction of the EEG in the year 2000 along
with other specialised support systems caused a
strong expansion of the sector and the number of
installations increased rapidly. The result were
over 7500 grid connected biogas plants and 256
biomass wood heating power plants with a
combined installed power generation capacity of
over 4,500 MWel. The dynamics of the sector also
stimulated the job market and presently around
Source: DeutschesBiomasseForschungsZentrum
130.000 people are employed in the bioenergy
sector.

The bioenergy sector in Germany still holds considerable untapped opportunities. Besides biogas, the
utilization of residues from wood processing, sewage sludge treatment and the conversion of organic
waste to energy show promising potential for becoming viable sources for energy generation.
Exchange of first-hand experience and know-how
The Bioenergy business and study trip to Germany will provide a unique insight into the German
Bioenergy sector with a specific emphasis on electricity generation from natural biomass and biogas.
An especially designed programme suited for business representatives focusing on project developers
and consultants, power plant investors, agribusiness entrepreneurs, government officials and partners
from private enterprises offers a one-time opportunity to visit an exemplary selection of projects in
Germany showing different kinds of bioenergy production. As participant you will meet key actors and
businesses of the industry and will be familiarized with latest technological developments, the
bioenergy sectors structure and its development and public incentive policies.

Your benefit
Germany is setting benchmarks especially in innovative technologies and offers attractive cooperation
and investment possibilities in the fields of gasification, cogeneration and the conversion of organic
wastes to energy. The bioenergy business and study trip is a unique opportunity to participate in a
tailor-made group visit to Germany and to benefit from a comprehensive information and visitor
programme. The mix of company visits and on-site project visits offers an insight into the different
levels of the industry covering the business perspective along with practical impressions as well as the
policy level.

The entire information and visitor programme in Germany is free of charge. All transfers within
Germany will be covered by the programme as well. Participants will have to cover their own travel
expenses (transfer to and from Germany, accommodation in Germany, meals). The entire programme
of the trip, including transport and accommodation in Germany, will be centrally organized by the
programme hosts.

The “renewables – Made in Germany” initiative

The business and study trip forms part of the „renewables – Made in Germany“ initiative by the
German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).
The BMWi has commissioned the German-Bilateral Chambers of Commerce (AHKs) and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to jointly implement the
initiative’s regional activities in South-East Asia. The „renewables – Made in Germany“ initiative aims
at sharing knowledge and technology and creating business partnerships and sector-specific networks
between German and South-East Asian companies and business associations.
 Preliminary programme
Sunday, September 1st

Arrival in Frankfurt

Welcome Dinner in Frankfurt:

Presentation of the „renewables – Made in Germany“ initiative
Introduction into market development of bioenergy in Germany

Monday, September 2nd

Waste-to-energy: Combined Heat and Power

Site Visit (tbc): Waste-to-energy power plant in Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt (M)
Input material: Municipal and commercial waste, largest facility of its kind in Germany
Energy output: 70 MWel (electric); 250 t steam/h
http://www.infraserv.com/en/referenzen/standortbetrieb_industriepark_hoechst/index.html

Site Visit (tbc): Boiler technology for waste-wood combustion

Tuesday, September 3rd

Planning and construction of biogas plants

Company visit (tbc): Ascentec GmbH

Ascentec provides turnkey solutions for decentral power supply and power-heat-
cogeneration. Their services include basic engineering, planning and layout,
procurement, installation and construction, operation, after-sales service and
maintenance. In cooperation with a local partner they have built biogas plants using
agricultural waste and landfill gas in Indonesia and Malaysia.
(http://www.ascentec.de/en)

Site visit: EnviTec biogas plant in Ribeauvillé (France)

Input material: Cattle slurry, waste from the food and agro industry (e.g.wine marc)
Energy output: 1415 kW
EnviTec Biogas GmbH is a market leader in the planning, construction and operation of
biogas plants. (http://www.envitec-biogas.com/en/home.html)

Wednesday, September 4th

Hydro thermal carbonization (HTC)

Company visit: AVA CO2.

AVA CO2 plans, implements and operates hydrothermal carbonization plants. These
plants convert biomass residues into high grade biocoal or biochar. The highly efficient,
exothermal HTC process transforms 100% of the carbon contained in the biomass into
high energy coal. http://www.ava-co2.com/web/pages/de/home.php
 Measuring and controlling gas composition and flow

Company visit: Binder Engineering GmbH.

Binder Engineering GmbH is an expert for applications of gases, especially biogas,
sewage gas and landfill gas. Binder offers beside delivery of measuring and control
equipment also control concepts for the biological treatment of sewage to optimize of
the processes and reduce energy consumption. A further focus is the treatment of
sewage sludge and the fermentation gas market. During the visit you will see the
production and calibration of flow meters and gas analysers.
http://www.binder-
engineering.com/binder/en/companies/bindergroup_measurement_control.php

Thursday, September 5th

Biogas production from waste water and production residues

Company visit (tbc): BIOLAK® Technology GmbH (tbc).

Plants for anaerobic biological treatment, project planning and development,
construction and supervision of plant construction, start-up, training
http://www.biolak.de/

Optimizing efficiency

Company visit: Atres Group

Atres Group makes analyses for monitoring biogas plants and to implement correct
measures against disturbances. Visit of the laboratory.

Friday, September 6th

Promoting technology

Presentations of the German Biogas Association and a renowned German

research institute. Exchange of information and experiences with German
companies (a separate schedule will follow).

Saturday, September 7th

Individual departures from Munich