Routes to renewables: Overcoming obstacles and accelerating biogas cooperation

Abstract

In the biogas industry, there is growing interest in new business models focused on upgrading biogas to green gases, such as biomethane and biogenic hydrogen. Cooperation among various biogas plant operators by combining several plants would enable small plants to achieve the necessary amount of biogas to implement these upgrading approaches. A key aspect of cooperative business models is the interest and willingness of biogas plant operators to engage. We conduct a systematic literature review to identify the drivers and barriers influencing biogas plant operators' adoption of cooperative business models and validate it through twenty semi-structured interviews with biogas plant operators in Germany. We analyse the interviews using qualitative content analysis. Key drivers identified are synergy effects, such as the reduction of installation and operating costs or the shared use of information. Social drivers can be increasing motivation through cooperation or a greater willingness to take risks. Political framework conditions, such as financial support or simplified permitting processes, are relevant examples of positive framework conditions. The main barriers identified include scepticism and bad experiences with collaboration. Financial hurdles, such as uncertainty about revenue sharing or in relation to achievable revenues, can also represent an obstacle. The paper delivers an essential contribution by presenting actionable measures for fostering successful cooperation among biogas plant operators, tailored to each phase of collaboration based on comprehensive insights into their driving forces and impediments.