BioHeating

About the project

The BioHeating research project aims to access the potential of unused waste heat from biogas plants by reducing the workload associated with planning heat distribution systems. To this end, an innovative tool will be developed that integrates heat network planning data from the THERMOS model, plant performance data software from SOPHENA, as well as plant-specific configuration data to assess the economic prospects of waste heat use from biogas electricity generation. The result is the intuitive and simplified BioHeating tool, which supports the planning of heat distribution networks and enables operators to tailor their plants for this additional use.

Background

The transition of communal energy provision schemes towards climate neutrality is mandated for 2045 in Germany. To this end, the use of unused industrial heat will be an essential pillar of the future energy supply system. One such potential source is the heat generated in combined heat and power plants used for biogas energy conversion. Barriers to the large-scale deployment of biogas waste heat utilization, such as the large distance to end users impeding economic viability, need to be overcome through the use of simple and innovative tools.