SYMBIO - Integration of biomass and wind power for biogas enhancement and upgrading via hydrogen assisted anaerobic digestion

SYMBIO proposes an innovative process, where hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using spare electricity from wind turbines, and CO2 is combined into methane biologically. This reaction can be means to two ends: 1) increased and upgraded production of biogas and 2) production of biogas independently of biomass. Thus we can have more and upgraded production of biogas while utilizing the synergies of a diversified energy system that is highly reliant on wind and renewable generation. The project will conduct an systematic analysis as well as design of integrated systems in order to access the environmental impact and the economic outlook of the proposal. This idea has not before been developed and it offers several advantages, such as: 1) lower costs of biogas production, 2) storage of wind power as methane in the existing gas grid, 3) production of biogas independently of biomass and 4) a more flexible electricity production.