NomiGas - Novel microbiological platform for optimization of biogas production

Biogas plays an important role to reach the ultimate goal of the Danish government for a 100% sustainable energy supply by 2050. Increased biogas production from many sources is needed such as manure, food waste and wastewater sludge. We gather world-class competencies (universities, GTS institution, industries, consultants and biogas plants) to deliver solutions to increased biogas production in Denmark. Microbial communities are ultimately responsible for the conversion of biomass streams to methane. Thus, the microbiology of the process must be well understood and the microbial processes well managed to achieve high gas yield and quality and stable operation of the plants. A novel microbiological platform encompassing extensive microbial community analysis, discovery of indicator species and production of a functional genomics catalogue and metabolic models of key organisms will be established. The new knowledge will provide improved solutions for biogas plant designs and for enhanced methane production from manure with high litter content, and from wastewater sludge with or without addition of food waste, all treated with innovative pre-treatment technologies. The results are beneficial for the Danish biogas and biotechnology industry and the Danish society for production of sustainable energy. The Danish industry partners are positioned to rapidly implement these developments to be competitive in the national and global market.