Bioenergy for regions - alternative cropping systems and optimisation of local heat supply.

In the frame of a research project for the energy supplier “Energie BadenWurttemberg AG” (EnBW) in Germany, the aim of the study is to evaluate the potentials of alternative substrates and their viability for biogas conversion based on current production regimes in the county of Biberach in the South-West of Germany. The project includes 5-yr field tests of optimized cropping systems leading to higher biodiversity and sustainability while ensuring a constant biomass supply for biogas production. Furthermore precise calculations and estimations of the heat demand of rural areas have been made on an object-based level (residential and tertiary/industry) using a geographic information system (GIS). On the basis of existing biogas plants, techno-economical analysis of heat and micro gas networks have been performed. Sustainability is mainly emphasized on the basis of the aspect of environmental influence on cropping systems (biodiversity, soil erosion, ground and surface water pollution). Biogas yield data at laboratory scale are used to evaluate the economy of alternative cropping systems with regard to energy production as compared to the reference (maize monoculture) in the whole chain ranging from field cultivation to energy use. The practical feasibility and the environmental effects are reviewed in