Li Jianjun, Liu Yiyun, Zhang Yuanjie, Zhu Jing, Wu Rongqi, Zhang Shihua
School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, People's Republic of China.
J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2025 Mar;75(3):233-251. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2024.2444362. Epub 2025 Jan 22.
Biogas can be used for complementary load-balancing with renewable intermittent power, thus maintaining overall energy output stability. However, biogas load balancing is typically used in small-scale distributed energy systems, constrained by factors such as technology and land requirements, making it challenging to scale up. Therefore, this study proposes a closed-loop ecological cycle system, where biogas provides load leveling support for large-scale intermittent power sources in desertified regions dominated by animal husbandry. The biogas slurry and residue produced are used for land restoration and subsequent cultivation of high-quality economic crops, with the resulting straw used for the next round of biogas production. This study conducts an economic assessment of the aforementioned system and analyzes a case study of a load-balancing biogas project in Northwest China. Accounting results indicating that the system's net present value is 0.108 million yuan/m, internal rate of return is 0.60%, and payback period is 22 years. Additionally, sensitivity backward deduction analysis identified the reasonable value ranges for key system parameters. According to the results, we offer management recommendations to promote the proposed system, supporting innovative biomass energy utilization and enhancing renewable energy stability.: This research introduces a novel closed-loop ecological cycle system that integrates large-scale peak-shaving biogas with renewable energy sources, offering a sustainable solution for enhancing energy stability and environmental sustainability in desertified areas. The study's economic evaluation reveals the critical role of ecological restoration costs in the overall viability of such systems, indicating the necessity for policy support to make them economically attractive. Our findings suggest that targeted subsidies, based on the quantified ecological benefits, are essential for incentivizing the adoption of this model. By providing specific conditions under which the system is economically feasible, this work informs policymakers on how to design effective incentive structures, thereby promoting the wider application of biogas and contributing to the goals of sustainable development and climate resilience. The research underscores the importance of integrating economic and ecological considerations to achieve long-term sustainability, making it a valuable reference for future energy policies and practices.
沼气可用于与可再生间歇性电力进行互补性负载平衡，从而维持整体能源输出的稳定性。然而，沼气负载平衡通常用于小型分布式能源系统，受到技术和土地需求等因素的限制，难以扩大规模。因此，本研究提出了一种闭环生态循环系统，在以畜牧业为主的荒漠化地区，沼气为大规模间歇性电源提供负载均衡支持。产生的沼液和沼渣用于土地修复以及后续优质经济作物的种植，产生的秸秆用于下一轮沼气生产。本研究对上述系统进行了经济评估，并分析了中国西北一个负载平衡沼气项目的案例研究。核算结果表明，该系统的净现值为10.8万元/米，内部收益率为0.60%，投资回收期为22年。此外，敏感性反向推导分析确定了关键系统参数的合理取值范围。根据结果，我们提出管理建议以推广该系统，支持创新的生物质能源利用并增强可再生能源的稳定性。：本研究引入了一种新型的闭环生态循环系统，该系统将大规模削峰沼气与可再生能源相结合，为增强荒漠化地区的能源稳定性和环境可持续性提供了一种可持续的解决方案。该研究的经济评估揭示了生态修复成本在这类系统整体可行性中的关键作用，表明需要政策支持使其在经济上具有吸引力。我们的研究结果表明，基于量化生态效益的定向补贴对于激励采用这种模式至关重要。通过提供该系统经济可行的具体条件，本研究为政策制定者提供了如何设计有效激励结构的信息，从而促进沼气的更广泛应用，并为可持续发展和气候适应目标做出贡献。该研究强调了整合经济和生态考量以实现长期可持续性的重要性，使其成为未来能源政策和实践的宝贵参考。
