The Dynamics and Prospects of Biogas Production
The modern solution to the economic development challenges in Ukraine involves transitioning to resource-efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-waste technologies. However, this process is complex, capital-intensive, and entails a departure from more traditional production methods. In recent years, renewable energy sources have become a key criterion for global energy security. This is driven by the anticipated depletion of fossil fuel reserves, rapid increases in energy prices, uncertainty about the stability of supply, and the reliability of purchases. Furthermore, the negative impact on the environment leads to serious consequences that increasingly concern society and become more evident.
In many countries, the use of renewable energy sources significantly expands existing energy capacities, ensuring security and improving the socio-economic situation.
The production of renewable energy is of particular importance in the context of global climate change. However, some countries have specific features that broaden the role of environmentally friendly energy. Ukraine is an example of a country that is not energy self-sufficient and relies to a considerable extent on the import of poorly diversified energy sources. This systematically leads to socio-economic tension with geopolitical consequences.
The extraction of biogas from organic waste, coming from the agricultural sector, is considered an important vector for the development of renewable energy. Ukraine has a large potential for biogas production since the country has a well-developed agro-industry, and the waste generated provides an ideal raw material base. Derived from biomass, biogas can become a significant alternative to traditional hydrocarbon fuel.
Biogas can be used in various ways. For example, it can be burned in heating installations or, in enriched form, used in vehicle engines as fuel. Additionally, cogeneration plants can generate electricity, which can be sold or used in their own production. To produce biofuel, a biogas complex is required – an engineering and technical facility that converts organic waste into biomethane. Ukraine has substantial raw material opportunities and favorable tariffs for electricity from renewable sources, making biogas a promising avenue for the development of renewable energy.
Analyzing the dynamics of biogas production in certain EU countries and in Ukraine, one can observe a diverse range of opportunities in biogas production. In Germany, for example, this process has achieved stable development and demonstrates high performance, as indicated by the capacity figures and their utilization for the development of biogas production (Table 2). The indicators of the industry’s development in Poland are considerably lower, but they are characterized by stability and annual growth.
Despite the significant biomass potential in the domestic agricultural sector, biogas production in Ukraine has not experienced sufficient development. There are several factors hindering the implementation of biogas projects, including:
1. Underdeveloped infrastructure for transporting raw materials for bioenergy projects.
2. High interest rates.
3. High cost of initial investments.
4. Lack of current assets and investments.
5. High inflation rates.
6. Inadequate approaches to biomass residues.
7. Weak incentives for the use of biomass utilization technologies.
8. Insufficient awareness among businesses about the prospects and benefits of biogas production and utilization.
9. Complex procedures for allocating land for renewable energy projects.
Production and utilization of biogas in Ukraine have significant prospects due to favorable climatic conditions and a large potential for the development of biogas production. The obstacle to a more detailed analysis of the state of biogas production and utilization, production management systems, and the implementation of the final product, as well as strengths
