Evaluation the financial feasibility of biogas upgrading to biomethane, heat, CHP and AwR

Abstract

This investigation contributes to the literature on the evaluating financial feasibility of biogas upgrading to biomethane, heat generation, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and alkaline with regeneration (AwR) by using the modified engineering economy method to establish biogas plants with a single production capacity and full commercialization. Eight scenarios are considered and sensitivity analyses are conducted. The results thus obtained demonstrate that biomethane is the most profitable biogas application, and profits increase with the scale of its production. Biogas with heat generation is also profitable. Biogas with CHP is financially unfeasible, and the relevant results herein oppose most of the related literature. AwR outperforms CHP but is only barely profitable. Financial performance is sensitive to both interest rate and the costs of major cost components of biogas applications. Biomethane is the most profitable bioenergy, followed by biohydrogen, biobutanol and algal biodiesel in that order. Realistic model settings are required for accurate financial evaluation. The results herein help decision-makers in industries related to biogas. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.