Expert Risk Perceptions of Integrating Power-to-Gas into the German Biogas Sector

Publication Type

Poster

Authors

Perez Sierra, J.; Bieling, C.; Scheer, D.; Kropp, C.

Year of publication

2017

Conference name

2nd International Bioeconomy Congress

Conference location

Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany

Conference date

September 12-13, 2017

Poster Session 4 Substrates, technologies and products in the biogas value chain
Wednesday, 13th of September, 10:20 – 11:00, Bio Foyer

P 4.01 (Poster Session)

Risk perception assessment of biological methanation as part of the German biogas sector
Johanny Perez Sierra¹, Claudia Bieling¹, Dirk Scheer², Cordula Kropp³

1 University of Hohenheim, Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, Chair of Societal Transition and Agriculture, Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany

2 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Technology Assessment and System Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe, Germany

3 University of Stuttgart, Department of Sociology with Focus on Risk and Technology Research, Stuttgart, Germany

The production of biomethane from agricultural biogas plants carries various risks of environmental, economic, technological and socio-political nature. This study investigates the potential challenges embodied in the implementation of biological methanation within the German biogas value chain as perceived by relevant stakeholders. The risk perception analysis also includes the use of biomethane as a carbon source for platform chemicals and as an energy carrier in smart grids.

A mixed method approach was followed in this research to identify and assess the relevance of the risks associated with the further development and potential application of biological methanation as an innovative technology within the German agricultural biogas sector. A methodological triangulation is used consisting of an empirical qualitative and quantitative research.

There is a general agreement among the stakeholders, regarding the importance of the economic and political challenges. Environmental risks, such as potential gas leakages and accidents, together with potential societal criticism are perceived as less probable but with a relatively high significance.