Strategies and Business Models for Heat Use from Biogas Plants: A European Perspective

In recent years very much attention was given to the obtainment of feed­in tariffs for green electricity production from biogas. The overall efficiency of the biogas plants was mainly disregarded. Most of the excessive heat from the combustion of biogas in a combined heat and power unit is not used, but wasted. The BiogasHeat project aims at the development of sustainable heat markets for biogas plants in Europe. Within this context 17 comprehensive expert interviews have been carried out among eight European countries. Fundamental drivers, barriers and future trends could be identified for the utilization of heat. These elements can help to develop the individual organizational strategy and the development of business models. According to the heat utilization potential among Europe it can be assumed that strategy development process has been too much disregarded in recent years. The sole rely upon the obtainment of feed­in tariffs for green electricity production is not a promising strategy any more. Future strategies need to go towards a more market oriented approach which looks into the various needs of customers. Heat utilization can play a crucial role to increase the efficiency of the plant and to gain additional earnings from heat sales