Biogas Production and Use in Switzerland

Biogas is a renewable and carbon neutral energy carrier, which can be used for the generation of electricity and heat or as a fuel for vehicles. In Switzerland, only a fraction of the nation wide potential for biogas production has been mobilized so far, while neighboring countries such as Germany and Austria saw a massive increase in biogas plants during the last years.

First analyses reveal that the barriers in Switzerland are primarily to be found in the socio-economic and institutional area (e.g. low tariffs for electricity feed-in, lengthy licensing procedures).

Goal

The intention of the project is to analyze the Swiss innovation system for biogas in a thorough way with respect to the various barriers.

On the basis of case studies, the analysis will pay particular attention to specific local-regional conditions for biogas production. The project will also model the diffusion of biogas plant in agriculture. A third focal point finally, is the elaboration of future development paths for biogas plants in technological and organisational aspects.

Team

Jochen Markard - Cirus
Reinhard Madlener - Cepe
Anja Umbach-Daniel - rütter & partner

Duration

06/2006 – 12/2007

supported by: novatlantis - sustainability at the ETH Domain