Biogas from manure digestion can make an important contribution to climate goals, nitrogen reduction and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Yet in many regions, much of this potential remains untapped. Alliander is receiving an increasing number of requests to support biogashub initiatives and asked Common Futures to explore whether biogashubs are desirable, feasible and scalable — and what role Alliander could play.
Common Futures carried out an integrated assessment of several logistical routes for manure digestion, including biogashubs, manure hubs and biogas transport via cylinders. The analysis examined:
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the societal value of manure digestion, including energy production, climate benefits, nitrogen reduction and security of supply;
- the business case for farmers, including cost reductions through economies of scale;
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the system value and strategic benefits of biogas networks within Alliander’s service area;
- the value of biogashubs for Alliander;
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the legal and organisational preconditions, such as permitting (<25,000 tonnes of third-party manure) and role distribution across the value chain.
The analysis was conducted in collaboration with CCS Energieadvies and informed by interviews with farmers, LTO, Rabobank and internal experts within Alliander.
Key insights
1. Biomethane from manure has high societal value
The study estimates that manure digestion in the Alliander area has significant potential: up to 225 million m³ of biomethane in 2030, which is comparable to the current national production. Manure digestion reduces methane emissions, supports nitrogen reduction targets and strengthens energy independence.
2. Hybrid biogas hubs offer the best balance between scale and rapid realisation
Micro-digesters (in biogas hubs) can be realised relatively quickly, but are expensive and less future-proof. Large manure hubs are the most cost-efficient, but have slow permitting procedures. Hybrid biogas hubs combine the advantages: medium-sized digesters (approx. 500–1,200 cows), fast permitting, economies of scale and lower risks of underutilisation. This makes them more cost-effective and future-proof than micro-digestion.
3. A promising role for Alliander
By developing biogas pipelines, Alliander can:
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reduce project risks for digesters and thereby accelerate realisation;
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strategically steer the location of biomethane injection;
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connect to its broader strategy for infrastructure for sustainable gases;
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create opportunities to decarbonise industry, which can reduce pressure on the electricity grid.
