Biogas
Biogas is a fully renewable fuel used to produce electricity and heat for industry, and as fuel for vehicles. When biogas is produced from residual products, the circular economy is completed.
Biogas is circular economy
Biogas is extracted from organic waste streams such as sewage sludge, manure and food leftovers, and is used to produce electricity and heat for industry, and as fuel for vehicles. Liquid biogas (LBG) is a promising fossil-free alternative for heavy traffic, long-distance buses, and shipping.
Our experts help government agencies, municipalities, farms, companies and industry to realize their biogas projects, both in Sweden and abroad. IVL also has extensive experience of anaerobic digestion trials where organic material is converted to biogas.
Biogas is more than energy
Inside the three green-brown digesters at the Gryaab wastewater treatment plant in Gothenburg, it is warm, brown and bubbly. Sludge from wastewater and fat from restaurants and other large-scale kitchens are blended, fermenting for a few weeks. Out comes biogas, certified fertilizer and maximized environmental benefits.
Examples of IVL's work with biogas
Increased biogas production through the use of carbon
Methanation can increase biomethane production using carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Potential for industrial symbiosis in biogas systems
The project studies drivers and barriers to developing industrial symbiosis in this area.
GotBio: Carbon-neutral fuel scenarios
The project focuses on Gotland and investigates possible synergies between biogas and hydrogen.
Biogas production from straw, grass and reed
The project investigates how residual and waste products can be used in biogas production.
Several climate benefits of producing hydrogen from biogas, new report finds
Renewable hydrogen plays a vital role in the green transition, but supply is still limited. In a research project, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has studied the possibilities of producing hydrogen from biogas at wastewater treatment plants for use in city buses in Luleå. The results show several advantages, both in terms of cost and climate.
Read more about the study.
Download the full report Hydrogen from biogas as fuel for buses in cold climate
External link..
Regional collaboration to boost biogas production in the north
IVL, with Luleå Miljöresurs, Lumire, and the municipality of Boden, had a project to investigate how biogas production can be developed through regional collaboration. The EU has supported the project via the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and the Norrbotten region.
Policy brief: How we can make use of biogas
The shift to electric power in public transport risks undermining the market for Swedish biogas. A research study led by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has developed a policy brief for decision-makers that contains eight recommendations for improving the conditions for biogas.
Read more about the study: Eight recommendations for strengthening biogas.
Reference case: Klimatklivet investment support
The co-op OK Värmland wanted to start a major initiative into biogas for road vehicles, but it was having difficulty getting started. IVL helped with everything from finding suppliers, procuring filling stations, and applying for investment support.
Contact us
We would like to know what services your organization needs. Please fill in the form below and select the area you'd like to know more about and we will get back to you. (NOTE, for questions regarding vacancies and thesis work, please visit our career page)