Power to Methane technologies through renewable H₂ and CO₂ from biogas: The case of Sardinia

Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Material Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, Cagliari 09123, Italy

^* Corresponding author: giulia.concas@unica.it

Abstract

A Power-to-Methane system based on a Biological Hydrogen Methanation (BHM) process using the CO₂ produced by a biogas upgrading process and the H₂ produced by an alkaline electrolyser was analysed in this work. The electrolyser can be fed by the electrical energy produced by a dedicated PV plant or supplied by the electrical grid. The analysis of the energy production from the PV plant and the consumption of the electrolyser was carried out on an hourly basis considering different sizes for the PV plant and four different scenarios for the operating time of the electrolyser. Also, a preliminary economic analysis was carried out to estimate the levelized cost of biomethane (LCOBM) and the costs of biomethane transport with a dedicate pipeline and in form of LNG by trucks. Finally, the paper investigated the availability of biomass and biogas in Sardinia that can be converted into biomethane, and the contribution of BHM plants to supply the forecast demand of CH4. The availability of biogas in Sardinia, together with the production of biomethane through BHM systems, can supply up to 44% of the forecast demand of CH₄.