Profitability factors of biogas plants
Ojala, Pia (2017)
Ojala, Pia
Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705229374
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705229374
Tiivistelmä
Sustainable energy production from renewable sources is important to be able to cut greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the dependence on fossil fuels and ensure a continuous energy supply. Production of biogas is one path to take to achieve this. The objective of this study was to compare Mäkikylä biogas plant’s operating model to domestic and international bioenergy plants’ approaches to be able to find ways to increase the profitability of biogas plants.
The research method used was qualitative multiple case-study to get an in-depth understanding of different biogas plants functions. Both national and international plants were included in the study. Data collection was done by conducting semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire with Likert scale statements. The data acquired was analyzed by content analysis to find best practices and similarities at the different plants.
The research showed that to increase the profitability of biogas plants the capacity of the plant should be high so that the plant can benefit from economies of scale. In addition, a plant benefit from a two lined plant as different feedstocks can be separated and different digestate products produced which helps in the further use of the digestate as fertilizers. With process optimization, it is possible to increase the gas production amount and gain more of the end product to be sold. A long-term political will encourages the use of biogas and makes investing in the biogas business more attractive.
The plan of the thesis was to compare financial statements of different biogas plants. This was not achieved because of the sensitive nature of the financial information. The interviews and questionnaire conducted gave a good insight into profitability factors that biogas plants should concentrate on increasing their profitability
The research method used was qualitative multiple case-study to get an in-depth understanding of different biogas plants functions. Both national and international plants were included in the study. Data collection was done by conducting semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire with Likert scale statements. The data acquired was analyzed by content analysis to find best practices and similarities at the different plants.
The research showed that to increase the profitability of biogas plants the capacity of the plant should be high so that the plant can benefit from economies of scale. In addition, a plant benefit from a two lined plant as different feedstocks can be separated and different digestate products produced which helps in the further use of the digestate as fertilizers. With process optimization, it is possible to increase the gas production amount and gain more of the end product to be sold. A long-term political will encourages the use of biogas and makes investing in the biogas business more attractive.
The plan of the thesis was to compare financial statements of different biogas plants. This was not achieved because of the sensitive nature of the financial information. The interviews and questionnaire conducted gave a good insight into profitability factors that biogas plants should concentrate on increasing their profitability