The Role of Sequential Cropping and Biogasdoneright™ in Enhancing the Sustainability of Agricultural Systems in Europe

Sequential cropping in the Biogasdoneright™ (BDR™) system in Italy has recently gained attention to combine food and renewable energy production in a sustainable way, as well as for carbon sequestration. However, little is known on the potential to expand the practice in other regions of Europe. In this paper, sequential crop calendars were developed for different EU climate regions, and the EU biomethane potential of the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sequential crops was estimated for a Conservative_Scenario and a Maximum_Scenario, assuming different percentages of primary crop land dedicated to the practice and biogas yields. A total EU biomethane potential of 46 bcm/yr and 185 bcm/yr was estimated from the AD of sequential crops in the two scenarios, respectively, and the Continental region registered the highest potential compared to the other regions. The additional benefits of the combination of sequential cropping with other agricultural conservation practices and digestate use included in BDR™ systems were also discussed. In conclusion, the paper shows that with appropriate innovations in crop management, sequential cropping could be applied in different agroclimatic regions of Europe, contributing to climate and renewable energy targets.

Biomethane Potential Test To Access The Feasibility of Vegetable And Fruit Waste For Methane Yield Using Different Inoculums To Substrate Ratios

To address the world's energy issue and global climate change, a green, efficient and carbon-neutral renewable energy sourcesare in great demand to replace fossil fuels. The study was undertaken to determine optimal inoculum to substrate ratio for increase in biogas generation via co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste under mesophilic environmental conditions (25–34oC). Biomethane potential of the fruit and vegetable waste was accessed in terms of biogas yield. Digestate from gobar gas plant was taken as inoculum. Biomethane potential (BMP) assay was performed in a 500ml glass bottle with suitable inlet and outlet arrangement for taking feed and collection of biogas. Inoculum to substrateratio chosen for the study was 0.2, 0.3,0.5,0.7 and 0.8. Highest daily biogas yield was obtained for inoculum to substrate ratio of 30: 70 i.e. reactor R2 which is equivalent to 440 ml on day 14 with methane yield of 58%. Cumulative biogas yields for different inoculum to substrate ratio were in the range of 6–11.378 L/day.

Perspective Biomethane Potential and Its Utilization in the Transport Sector in the Current Situation of Latvia

A major problem in the modern world is the overuse of fossil resources. The use of such resources and of that amount contribute negatively to the environment we live in. Fossil resources should be replaced with renewable ones. That way, less impact would be done to the environment. Renewable resources would greatly contribute to a healthy sustainable future. Latvia currently ranks seventh on the number of biogas plants per 1 million per capita (27) and is searching for new ways and opportunities to switch from the production of electricity to biomethane. Thus, in this study, a mathematical approach for the calculations of biomethane potentials and emissions of different feedstocks under the anaerobic digestion principle was studied. Databases were searched for the factual numbers of livestock animals, as well as processed sludge, and average food waste. RED II and JEC Well-To-Wheels report v5 were analyzed for data on emission factors and future obligations. Out of combined biomethane potentials of different feedstocks, livestock manure’s potential share was 91%, of which 61% is dairy cow manure. The overall biomethane potential in Latvia is 2.21 to 4.28 PJ. Replacing fossil fuels with biomethane in the transport sector could lower the overall CO2-eq emissions by 12.47–23.86% or 0.4–0.8 million tonnes.