Vienna (OTS) – Biogas23, the annual specialist congress on the topic of biogas, took place successfully on November 30th and December 1st at WIFI Linz.
The distortions on the energy markets of the last few months and years and the associated “fossilflation”, which is probably a candidate for the (un)word of the year within the energy industry, show once again: we are living in the most stormy energy decade in a long time! It is the decade of upheaval but also the decade of unimaginable challenges. With the ever-growing challenges, interest in renewable energy technologies also increased enormously. This was also evident at this year’s Biogas Congress, where the Austrian biogas industry gave a strong sign of life with around 350 participants and over 40 exhibitors.
This year the congress was held for the first time in cooperation between the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association and Green Gas Service GmbH and brought together the Austrian scene around renewable gases to shed light on current topics from the perspective of business, politics and other stakeholders.
In his opening video message, Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig emphasized that the production and use of biogas is a key factor for the success of the energy transition. “In order to leverage the full potential of this energy source and give the biogas expansion a boost, it is necessary to push forward the feed into the gas network.”
Meteorologist, television presenter and “climate hunter” Andreas Jäger continued with a lecture on climate change and its effects on humanity. His conclusion: “Bioenergy is part of the solution and not part of the problem.
From an agricultural perspective, there is not only the potential to be CO2-neutral, but also to act as a CO2 sink, for example through the fermentation of manure and the use of the fermentation product for fertilization and soil improvement. This means that agriculture as a whole can become a significant CO2 sink.”
After further greetings from Georg Strasser, the President of the Austrian Farmers’ Association, and Norbert Hummel, the biogas chairman of the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association, Andreas Tschulik, from the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, led the technical lectures with a contribution on the topic of using biogenic resources the bioeconomy and circular economy.
The following sessions were entirely dedicated to the topic of biomethane: legal requirements from the EU, suitable locations for feeding into the gas network and their subsequent possible uses. The evening continued excitingly with lectures on certificates of origin, sustainability certification and the marketing of biomethane.
Finally, there was an insight and outlook into the integrated Austrian network infrastructure plan and the draft of the Renewable Gases Act (EGG) by Irmtraud Salzer, the deputy head of cabinet of Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler. Norbert Hummel also emphasized the EGG as an essential component of the future expansion of biogas production: “On the one hand, marketing on the electricity market will be further developed, and on the other hand, there will be an increasing move towards biomethane feed-in.
A lot has already been invested, several projects are already in the pipeline and are just waiting for the law to come.” The future market ramp-up of biomethane probably stands or falls with the EGG. Irmtraud Salzer confirms that the government parties will do everything they can to get the law passed as quickly as possible. There is also optimism within the biogas industry that the law will soon find its way into parliament. “There will be a celebration when the EGG is finished
“Georg Strasser was also cautiously optimistic.
The congress was supported by the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, the European Biogas Association (EBA), the European Renewable Gas Registry (ergar) and the Biomasa Magazine for professionals. The cozy atmosphere at WIFI Linz offered all participants the opportunity to get involved and, of course, an excellent setting for exchanging ideas and networking. We would like to thank all participants and exhibitors, especially our premium partners: Müller waste projects GmbH, AB Energy Deutschland GmbH, AGGM Austrian Gas Grid Management AG, Awite Bioenergie GmbH, BioG GmbH, Botres Global GmbH, INNIO Jenbacher, energiePLUSagrar GmbH, MWM Austria GmbH , Netzsch Pumpen & Systeme Österreich GmbH, pbeg GmbH, PowerUP GmbH, Schermann GmbH and Siemens AG Austria.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and are already looking forward to biogas24.
Questions & Contact:
Compost & Biogas Association Austria
Ing. Franz Kirchmeyr
Head of Biogas Department
+43 1 890 1522
kirchmeyr@kompost-biogas.info
www.kompost-biogas.info