1.1 Biogas to the grid

When the biogas finally had been produced, treated und conditioned it will either be fed into a nearby gas pipeline system or grid or it will be burned and transformed into electric power which is fed into the electric grid. In the following chapters we review and discuss the aspects of the gas grid, only.

Normally, the gas grid used by biogas plants will be a low or medium pressure operated distribution network. Certain conditions may require that the biogas is compressed to a higher level and being fed into a high pressure transportation network.

Typical locations of biogas plants and the major cities the corresponding gas transportation and distribution network are shown in figure 1.

1.2 The location paradox

Typical biogas plants have preferred locations in rural areas, where the renewable material grows and the transportation is short and easy. In opposition to the rural places the areas of higher gas demand or actual consumption are located in or near urban areas. So, in most cases the biogas must be transported in pipelines over a longer distance spreading also over a wider network area before the biogas is consumed totally. Depending on the network structure and the total consumption figures there exist mixing areas of biogas and natural gas or pure biogas.