Biogas Commercialization: Commercial Players, Key Business Drivers, Potential Market, and Fostering Investment

Abstract

Circular bio-economy with focus on sustainable and renewable energy source has become the need of the hour as mandated by the United Nations. Countries across the globe have united in the quest for deriving value in terms of energy from organic sources earlier considered as waste. A valuable contribution toward sustainability, bio-economy, and maintenance of environmental standards comes from biogas production wherein organic contents are converted under controlled conditions of microbial digestion into biogas that is rich in methane. This chapter delves deep into biogas commercialization over decades considering different models developed, key commercial players who have robust at scale operations, and the market movements that have shaped biogas industries. Current policies across the world and the investment scenarios that are redefining the landscape of the biogas plants have been explained in depth. Government and nongovernment incentives, legislations, policies, and regulatory framework have renewed the focus on biogas considering the overawing advantages of management of waste and environmental credits along with co-product value gain. Details of planning with permissions for setup and operations along with supply chain logistics of pre- and post-biogas processes is covered. Last but not the least is a case study of a large commercial biogas plant that has had huge commercial, social, and environmental impact.