Substitution from liquefied petroleum gas to biogas within manufacturing industry

QUESTION

Background
In accordance with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals, Sweden is trying to increase the use of renewable energy. One way to do this is to increase the production and use of biogas. The potential of residual products alone is more than five times greater than today’s biogas production, and if gasification of forest products would become reality it would give an added increase of the potential to more than 35 times the current production. Two of the largest biogas users in Sweden, buses and cars, however, have declining trends for its biogas use – in 2016, smaller amounts of CBG was sold at refueling stations for cars than three years earlier and the competition for CBG in buses is increasing with electric buses and synthetic diesel. It is therefore important to find other alternative uses where biogas can be used instead of fossil fuels. One such usage area is in various industries in Sweden which have previously used liquefied petroleum gas.

Purpose
The purpose of this master thesis is to explore the prospects for an expanded market for compressed biogas in industries. The goal is to study companies that have already substituted from liquefied petroleum gas to biogas to better understand how such a substitution works in practice.

Method
The thesis will involve a combination of literature studies and interviews with different companies and organizations.

ANSWER

Exploring the Prospects for Compressed Biogas as an Alternative Fuel in Industries: A Master Thesis Proposal

Introduction

In alignment with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals, Sweden is actively pursuing strategies to increase the utilization of renewable energy sources. Biogas, a form of renewable energy derived from organic waste, holds significant potential in this endeavor. Currently, Sweden aims to enhance the production and usage of biogas, particularly by exploring alternative applications beyond its conventional use in buses and cars. One promising avenue is to replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in various industries. This master thesis proposal aims to investigate the prospects of an expanded market for compressed biogas as a sustainable fuel option in industries and understand the practical implications of substituting LPG with biogas.

Purpose

The primary objective of this master thesis is to explore and assess the feasibility of utilizing compressed biogas as an alternative to LPG in industries. By studying companies that have successfully transitioned from LPG to biogas, this research aims to gain insights into the practical aspects of such a substitution and identify the key factors influencing its implementation.

Methodology

This thesis will employ a mixed-methods approach combining extensive literature studies and interviews with relevant companies and organizations. The literature studies will involve an in-depth examination of existing research, scholarly articles, industry reports, and case studies on the use of biogas as an industrial fuel. This research will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of biogas utilization in industries.

Additionally, interviews will be conducted with companies and organizations that have already undergone the transition from LPG to biogas. These interviews will provide valuable firsthand insights into their motivations, challenges, experiences, and the overall impact of adopting biogas as an alternative fuel. Through a qualitative analysis of the interview data, the study aims to identify best practices, success factors, and potential barriers associated with the substitution process.

Conclusion

The exploration of an expanded market for compressed biogas in industries represents a crucial step towards achieving Sweden’s renewable energy goals. This master thesis proposal seeks to contribute to the knowledge base by investigating companies that have successfully replaced LPG with biogas. Through a combination of literature studies and interviews, this research aims to provide practical insights and recommendations for promoting the adoption of biogas in industries. By understanding the experiences and challenges faced by these companies, valuable lessons can be learned, paving the way for a more sustainable future powered by renewable energy sources like biogas.