Biogas is a gas mixture created as a result of anaerobic, microbial decomposition of organic substances, which contains 50-70% of the high-quality energy source methane (CH4). Additional elements are carbon dioxide (CO2) and traces of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrate (N2), hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). Because of its relatively high level of energy content, biogas can be used as an energy source for producing heat and electricity. Its energy content is directly dependent on its methane content. Once cubic meter of methane has an energy content of almost ten-kilowatt hours (9.94 kWh). Thus, at an assumed methane content of 60% in biogas, the energetic benefit of one cubic meter of biogas is approx. 6 kWh. Therefore, the average calorific value of one cubic meter of biogas equals approximately that of 0.6 l of heating oil. The biological methane gas formation is a process that takes place everywhere in nature in places where organic material decomposes in a moist environment, sealed off from air, as a result of the metabolic activity of natural methane bacteria.
Glossary: Biogas Plant (Functional Principles)
In accordance with the Biomass Power Directive and the current provisions of the German Renewable Energy Act as amended on 21 July 2004, the biogas Plants that we develop and service, are fed with substrates that belong to the group of renewable resources exclusively. Substrates, such as corn silage, a small amount of rye as well as liquid manure from agricultural operations are fermented in the biogas plants .
The biogas that develops during the fermentation process is used in a CHP plant and the power produced as a result is fed into the public grid. The generated waste heat that is utilized as a part of a site-specific heating concept. The remaining fermentation substrate is distributed onto agriculturally used fields with the result that approx. 25% less fertilizer is needed.
Glossary: Biomass Regulation
The Biomass Regulation dated 21 June 2001, as amended by the first ordinance to amend the Biomass Regulation dated 9 August 2005, governs for the scope of application of the German Renewable Energy Act :
Which substances are considered biomass
Which technical procedures for electricity generation from biomass are within the scope of the act and
Which environmental requirements must be complied with when generating electricity from biomass
The CHP plant is a combustion engine, which converts the generated methane gas into power and heat. The waste heat generated while electricity is being produced can be used to cover the heat requirements of the building's heating system and for heating the processing water. A 500 kW biogas plant can supply up to 800 residential units with heat each year. However, to bear in mind is that at all times, only the base load supply can be guaranteed. For peak loads, additional conventional heating systems will need to be installed.
Glossary: Renewable Energy Act
The German Renewable Energy Act essentially regulates the prioritization of grid-supplied electricity from renewable energy sources and pit gas to the public grid for the general supply of electricity, the preferential purchase of this power and is also generally an agreement regulating regular remuneration for a period of up to twenty years for this power by the grid operators after a plant takes up operation. It also regulates compensation throughout Germany for purchased power and its remuneration respectively. The total amount paid for the energy source depends on the size of the plant and also the date the plant initially went into operation.
Along with the so-called "moist fermentation" (fermentation plant), which also uses liquid manure in addition to solid biomass such as corn silage, there is also a so-called "dry fermentation" process, during which stackable, solid substance-type biomass is fermented exclusively.
Glossary: Fermentation Residue
Liquid manure and other substrates, which are initially used (fermented) in a biogas plant to produce electricity and heat, are later reused as fertilizer on agricultural fields as so-called fermentation residue. In doing so, the smell nuisance is much lower than, for example, when dispersing "normal" unfermented manure.
The fermentation process reduces the amount of bacteria and the germination capacity of weeds: As a result of the fermentation process, the amount of bacteria and other germs in the fermentation residue is significantly reduced. In addition, the germination capacity of weeds, which are again dispersed onto the fields through the fermentation residue, is reduced.
Glossary: Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol (named after the city in Japan where the conference was held) is an annex protocol that was completed in 1997 made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of protecting the climate system. The agreement, which came into effect in 2005, is the first agreement to dictate mandatory target values for the emission of greenhouse gases, which are the main cause of global warming.
The protocol envisions an annual reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases by industrialized nations sometime in the period between 2008-2012 of on average 5.2 % as compared to 1990.
Glossary: Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are the results of agricultural and forest industry production, which are added for use in the nonfood segments of the industry. The intended use for the traditional new products from natural sources can be for industrialized subsequent processing, but also for the generation of heat, electricity and other forms of energy.
The CHP plant is a combustion engine, which converts the generated methane gas into power and heat. The waste heat generated while electricity is being produced can be used to cover the heat requirements of the building's heating system and for heating the processing water. A 500 kW 
The German Renewable Energy Act essentially regulates the prioritization of grid-supplied electricity from renewable energy sources and pit gas to the public grid for the general supply of electricity, the preferential purchase of this power and is also generally an agreement regulating regular remuneration for a period of up to twenty years for this power by the grid operators after a plant takes up operation. It also regulates compensation throughout Germany for purchased power and its remuneration respectively. The total amount paid for the energy source depends on the size of the plant and also the date the plant initially went into operation.
Renewable resources are the results of agricultural and forest industry production, which are added for use in the nonfood segments of the industry. The intended use for the traditional new products from natural sources can be for industrialized subsequent processing, but also for the generation of heat, electricity and other forms of energy.