Biomethane Roadmap in
Hungary
Wien, AGCS AG, February 27, 2015
Kornél L. Kovács
Hungarian Biogas Association
Present situation
Underdeveloped and Limited political
support
• Legal aspects:
o EU regulations implemented
o Domestic regulations: slow and very bureaucratic
• Political aspects:
o Nuclear is preferred
o Renewables not supported
• Policy:
o Low feed-in tariff for limited period
o Limitation on PV, wind green electricity feed-in
o Biomethane: zero support, no market
Figures on Biogas
Less than 5% of capacity is utilized
• Agriculture:
o
o
o
o
40 biogas plants = 30 MWel (HU total use: 6,000-6,500 MW)
Food processing waste capacity: about 25 MWel – unused
Estimated total capacity: 1,600-1,700 MWel
Digestate: extra strict environmental regulation
• Waste water sludge:
o 23-25 facility implemented AD
o Capacity: 12-13 MWel
• Landfill:
o
o
o
o
o
4 MWel in green electricity (CHP)
5 million tons of solid waste/yr
80 large landfill sites, 20 collect gas
Rest: torch (Pusztazámor 5 MWel !!)
Capacity: 100-150 MWel
No biomethane except 1 site
Barriers
Legal, Technical and Economical
• Legal barriers:
o About 24-25 permits for construction and operation
o Digestate is considered waste: Environmental Impact Assessment
o Energy Office authorizes grid connection (feed-in plan and penalty)
• Technical barriers:
o Biomethane is allowed but not promoted
o Regulation for natural gas suppliers and grid operators apply
o No filling stations for biomethane
• Economical barriers:
o Unsecure and low feed-in tariffs
o Peak, valley and deep-valley hours (9-4 €/MWh)
Drivers
Limited, restricted
•
•
•
•
•
>80% dependence on imported natural gas
National Renewable Energy Strategy
National Renewable Energy Action Plan
Hungarian Gas Vehicle Association
Subsidy for construction from EU
Perspectives of development
• Studies and detailed analyses on the local benefits from
biomethane production (public transportation and utility
vehicles), purchase of such vehicles with EU support.
• Advocating social, political and economical benefits in
workshops and public appearances.
• Training of experts and operators.
• In collaboration with the natural gas grid operators the
development of conditions to support biomethane based
transport.
• Implementation of „best practices” with the help from
BIOSURF.
• Introduction of research and development results.
What‘s in the next future
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Hungarian Biogas Conference (April 23, 2015)
Increase active membership (currently about 80)
Workshops for biogas operators
Discussion with decision makers
Biotechnological service laboratories
Cross-border technology transfer (SRB, RO)
Co-operation with „leading countries” within BIOSURF
network, EBA, etc.
• Development of plans for organic waste treatment
facilities with biomethane as product.
Thank you for your attention!
[email protected]