Download full report - Green Gas Grids

Versatile input material is important
In most German bio-methane plants energy crops are used, such as maize,
beetroot and grass. There have been controversial discussions about these
contributing to monoculture and a rise of rent for fields. For Germany and Europe
this cannot be confirmed: Only in a few areas e.g. maize is grown more than 50
percent and this is due to fodder production. A rise of rent could also be seen only
in a small number of regions. Here, reasons are rather loss of land due to street
construction, industrial areas, water protection and an increasing demand of land
for livestock husbandry.
Concerning bioenergy production, constant increases of harvesting efficiency and
the use of fallow land are leading to better agricultural efficiency and to a decrease
of conflict potential. Additionally, bio-methane plant owners put a lot of effort into
using waste material from fodder production such as manure, as well as household
waste. Feeding bio-methane plants with so far unused material is expected to
increase further in the future.
Page 16 of 34