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This study aimed to investigate the waste streams from the production of hydrogen energy carriers from PtX technology and identify how they can be valorized by applying a symbiotic approach to enable greater utilization of the inputs and outputs from such plants. Various electrolysis development projects are under development or in the pipeline in Europe and Denmark, but in many cases, it is not clear how waste streams are emphasized and valued in these projects. Thus, three exploratory case studies (a city, a rural, and an energy hub case) were investigated herein exemplifying state-of-the-art electrolysis projects currently being deployed, with a focus on identifying how and to what extent waste streams are being valorized in these projects and energy system integration is being pursued. Inspired by the industrial symbiosis literature, we analyzed how internal, regional, and long-distance symbiotic collaboration is realized within these cases and found them to be very different in terms of the energy carrier produced, the current development stage, and the access to appropriate energy infrastructure. This paper concludes that the co-location of PtX technology near biogas plants would provide a great opportunity for the integration of the produced energy carriers and waste streams into the existing energy system and, hence, could assist in stabilizing fluctuating renewable energy sources to enable their more efficient use in the energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to identify non-technological critical success factors (CSFs) that influence the different phases of the project life cycle for the deployment of centralized biogas projects; as there is a knowledge gap in this area. This was performed by applying a longitudinal process analysis approach and an analytical framework based on findings from previous studies. Data were collected through extensive document collection and analysis, combined with in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study resulted in the identification of a total of 30 non-technological critical success factors in the case of Solrød Biogas. These were subsequently linked to one of the different phases of the project lifecycle (conceptualization phase, planning phase, execution phase) or categorized as general CSFs. We hope that the findings in this study can help ensure better management of biogas projects and enhance the capabilities of governmental bodies in supporting projects in the future, so a higher rate of centralized biogas projects is successfully implemented both in Denmark and other countries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Danish farmers are increasingly adopting sand bedding within their dairy farms, which is creating challenges for biogas plants, as sand-laden manure hampers biogas production. This creates a potential problem where large amounts of animal manure will not be utilized for biogas production, and, correspondingly, will not contribute to the production of either renewable energy or valuable digestate (fertilizer). Moreover, the pressure on an imported (external) and highly exploited resource - here, sand - is increasingly calling for more sustainable and self-sustained farm systems, as far as cow bedding materials are concerned. The methodological approach in this paper is first to investigate state-of-the-art sand-separation technologies in Denmark and the USA, particularly in relation to their environmental and energy performance, then, second, to analyze how other types of bedding materials can be utilized by drawing on on-site (internal) farm resources, namely residual straw and the fiber fraction of manure. The results of the analysis suggest that, in particular, manure fibers are beneficial for animal welfare and biogas production, resulting in a more circular economic system. The paper concludes by presenting a new farm-biogas system that sustains such circularity. To support this development, we further suggest investigating in new ventilation technology to limit the amount of ammonia that is produced in dairy stables as a result of using manure fibers as bedding material. Highlights • Sand bedding in dairy cow stables is a challenge for efficient biogas production. • Sand laden manure is currently treated using immature and inefficient technologies. • Combine animal welfare and bedding material that favor biogas production important. • Manure fiber bedding is a 'circular' and internal farm resource as opposed to sand. • Hygenized manure fibers can provide animal welfare, high milk and biogas yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article conducts an assessment of what should be considered best practice in municipal GHG accounting, contrasting the call for increased global harmonization with the need for local relevance and applicability. Taking as its point of departure an analysis of GHG accounting methodologies applied by local governments in Denmark, we identify eight Danish methodologies and assess them based on international good practice criteria. We observe a high degree of convergence among the Danish approaches in the application of data sources, quantification approaches, and scope, identifying data availability as the key barrier to improving the specificity and dynamic properties of local GHG accounts. In furthering an international best practice, the Danish approaches indicate that relevance to local planning necessarily involves an adaptation to the context of local systems and data sources, and that best practice guidelines should acknowledge limitations in inventory quality and provide guidelines for weighing trade-offs and exploring synergetic improvements. In Denmark, synergies can be found in improved data quality and regional cooperation on account development, which may improve relevance, quality, and comparability simultaneously, and act as an adaptive approach to methodology harmonization, without thereby reducing inventory relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in integrating climate change considerations into Programmes of Measures (PoMs) under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is being driven in part by the requirements of the next generation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). However, so far most studies have focused on potential impacts of climate change on water bodies and the adaptation to climate change-related risks, whereas the relationship between RBMP's and mitigation of climate change -- through the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG) -- has only been touched upon. This paper investigates the potential for synergies between reduction of nutrient losses from agriculture and climate change mitigation in a case study of the Isefjord and Roskilde Fjord River Basin in Denmark. For this purpose, a map-based approach is applied to analyze the effects and cost-effectiveness of selected PoMs to reduce both nitrogen loads and GHG emissions from agriculture at the river basin scale. The results indicate a substantial potential for cost- effective integration of climate change mitigation into WFD action programmes with special emphasis on four agri-environmental N-GHG measures applied in combination: (1) manure treatment for biogas production and improved N utilization, (2) cultivation of perennial energy crops, (3) extensification of intensively farmed lowland areas and (4) wetland restoration. The particular PoMs investigated can ensure fulfilment of the WFD GES objectives for Isefjord and Roskilde Fjord in a cost-effective way and at the same time reduce GHG emissions significantly, corresponding to a 35--65% reduction of total agricultural GHG emissions within the river basin. This study suggests that a targeted and differentiated approach to the development of PoMs is necessary in order to attain the full potential of these kinds of win--win solutions in the context of the WFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Drawing on innovation literature, this article contests the wisdom of the conventional linear innovation model (invention-demonstration-commercialization-diffusion) and argues that innovation in the case of biogas is, instead, characterized by numerous feedback loops between research, demonstration, commercialization and diffusion. Furthermore, these feedback loops are heavily influenced and shaped by public sector interventions in many aspects of the innovation activities. The article presents the history of Danish farm biogas plants and their present status and discusses the development and implementation of the technology in relation to innovation achievements. The article thus concludes that innovation can be better understood in terms of a dynamic model drawing on initiatives by private, public and academic actors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]