1. Biogas in Belgium, a SWOT analysis Bruno Mattheeuws

2. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

3. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

4. Belgium Population: 10 396 421 (2003) Surface area: 30 528 km² Federal capital: Brussels Head of state: King Albert II Prime Minister: Guy Verhofstadt National day: 21st July National languages: Dutch, French, German Currency: Euro (€) National Product: € 283,7 Billion (2004) Annual growth rate: 2,7% (2004)

5. Belgium 3-level structure –Federal state –3 communities –3 regions

6. Belgium Energy & environment: regional matter – different vision and policy – different measures to stimulate renewable energy Nuclear power and excises: federal matter

7. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

8. Biogas-E vzw 2000: co-operation between a company and Technical University Kortrijk 2000-2002: project ‘Platform for implementation of anaerobic digestion in Flanders’ 2004-now: structural support from Flemish government  Biogas-E vzw (non profit organisation)

9. Biogas-E vzw Specialized in all aspects of anaerobic digestion –Legal –Technical –Subsidiary issues Intermediary organisation between –Government, policy makers –Industry, technology –(future) owners and operators of an anaerobic digestion unit

10. Biogas-E vzw Goals –Maximize the use of biogas potential present in Flanders –Increase public awareness and counteract not-in-my- backyard (NIMBY) syndrome –Function as a neutral partner in projects concerning anaerobic digestion –On demand low cost advice concerning input streams, scaling, legal aspects, subsidies, yield,…

11. Biogas-E vzw Tasks –Informing –Sensibilizing –Networking –Policy support –Advisory partner in projects Important –Neutral –Independent –Focus on agriculture –Focus on energy crops, organic waste and manure

12. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

13. Biogas in Belgium Flanders –17 operational (16,2 MWe) –6 being built (9,6 MWe) Walloon –4 operational (1 MWe) –1 being built (2 MWe)

15. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

16. Strengths Academic & practical knowledge –Universities –Companies –Good reputation –Knowledge is still expanding –New research aspects

17. Strengths Basic technology proven and known –Easy to implement –Basis for further research in pre- treatment of biomass and post- treatment of biogas and digestate –Synergies with other technologies

18. Strengths High efficiency for a wide range of non-lignin biomass –  other bio fuels (specific input) –waste products of other industries –manure –energy crops

19. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

20. Weaknesses Energy savings are only benefits considered hitherto  Other policy objectives are left out (Kyoto, Nitrate directive 91/676/EEC) Large knowledge has not been put in practice  Few farm-scale digesters operational

21. Weaknesses Differences between basis for green certificates between regions –Flemish region Green certificates for every net MWh produced out of renewables CHP certificates for every MWh primary energy saved with qualitative CHP –Walloon region Green certificates based on CO 2 -ratio (CO 2 -emissions in renewable chain divided by CO 2 -emissions in classic chain Max. 2 certificates/MWh

22. Weaknesses Differences between basis for green certificates between regions –Brussels Capital region Green certificates issued for each 217 kg CO 2 reduction compared to a traditional installation No limit on the number on certificates/MWh –Certificates can not be exchanged between regions 4 Ministers of energy: 1 Federal + 3 regional

23. Weaknesses Amount of nutrients  by adding co- products  Increase of nutrient problem already present in Flanders

24. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

25. Opportunities Manure surplus in Flanders as input material –Ideal for stability in reactor –Free (or even at a gate fee) –Drying of digestate with heat  AD is more and more seen as first step in manure processing (50% of planned installations use AD)

26. Opportunities Circular on environmental planning –Possibility to construct an AD plant up to 60.000 tonnes in agricultural area –Some conditions have to be fulfilled –At least 60% of input material must be of agricultural origin

27. Opportunities New CHP-resolution –Easier to be qualitative CHP (relative primary energy saving (RPE) >0% for installations 10% for installations ≥1MWe whereas before new resolution small CHPs had to have a RPE > 5%)

28. Opportunities Ongoing research in pre- and post- treatment –Digestion of 100% energy crops –Synergies with other biofuel technologies (e.g. glycerol, waste products of bio-ethanol production,…) –Selling electricity to the day ahead market –Alternative use of biogas: transport fuel, injection in gas grid, fuel cells

29. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

30. Threats Public acceptance –33% of planned ongoing initiatives deal with protest from neighbours –40% of last year’s initiatives have been cancelled or delayed over the last year, mainly due to protest –In many cases this protest is inappropriate or exaggerated –One protest stimulates others to do likewise –Uncertain how this trend will evolve

31. Threats Investment support mechanism is uncertain –Resources are insufficient –Call system –Uncertainty on termination of nuclear power facilities –Instability of long term policy

32. Threats Uncertainty on cost of input and output –Maize silage is already more expensive –Price for disposal of nutrients depends on policy  Threatening for return on investment

33. AGENDA Federal state of Belgium Biogas-E vzw Biogas in Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusions

34. Excellent knowledge is greatest strength Lack of operational (farm-scale) digesters and political structure of Belgium are biggest weaknesses Manure surplus can be seen both as an opportunity and as a threat The biggest threat as we speak is the lack of public acceptance

35. Thank you Filip Velghe Technological advisor filip.velghe@biogas-e.be Biogas-E vzw Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5 B-8500 Kortrijk T - +32 56 24 12 63 F - +32 56 24 12 24 www.biogas-e.be info@biogas-e.be Bruno Mattheeuws Policy and communication advisor bruno.mattheeuws@biogas-e.be