Title:
Combining Biogas Production and Nature Conservation of Protected Nature Habitats; the Influence of Transport Distance, Habitat Size and Accessibility to a Road Network in the Region of Southern Denmark.
Author(s):
Meyer, A.K.P., Holm-Nielsen, J.B.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Previous research has concluded that grass from open natural habitats can be digested in biogas production if pre-treated correctly. The removal of biomass from natural habitats can furthermore provide positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Several challenges are however related with the acquisition of the biomass such as the geographical distribution of the habitats regarding access to road network, the size of the habitats and the transport distance to biogas production facilities. This study spatially analyses the potential area of protected habitats in the Region of Southern Denmark from which nature conservation biomass can be utilised, while considering the impacts of acquisition challenges. It was found that the Region of Southen Denmark embraces a remarkable potential of 47.585 ha §3 protected open natural habitats. Several of the habitats in Denmark are facing a decreasing biodiversity due to a lack of nature conservation. The study however demonstrated that numerous of the habitats are potentially too small or too far away from a biogas plant to utlise in an economically feasible manner. Cost-reduced harvest technologies or improved financial schemes are urgent if the full benefits, such as increased biodiversity and renewable energy production, are to be acheived.
Keywords:
geographical information system (GIS), transport, biogas production, potential, nature conservation, biomass feedstock
Topic:
Biomass resources
Subtopic:
Biomass potentials and biomass mobilisation
Event:
21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AO.6.3
Pages:
30 - 35
ISBN:
978-88-89407-53-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-1AO.6.3
Price:
FREE
