Integration of Biogas Utilization in District Heating Systems

Abstract

This study investigates the role of biogas and biomethane in accelerating the decarbonization of district heating systems in Europe. A structured literature review combined with two representative case studies evaluate technological, economic, and environmental performance across different system scales. The Meppel optimization model developed for the Netherlands and the large-scale Backbone energy system modelling framework for Finland are compared to identify methodological synergies and operational insights for integrating bioenergy into heating networks. The results show that biogas-based combined heat and power systems can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 70 percent compared with fossil-based alternatives and significantly improve local energy security, especially when coupled with heat pumps and thermal storage. Large-scale modelling further demonstrates that biomethane and bioenergy resources provide valuable system flexibility, facilitating sector coupling and supporting the balancing of variable renewable electricity production. This study’s main contribution is an integrated comparative assessment at two different scales (local and regional), linking operational data, modelling, and performance results to determine how biogas and biomethane can optimize the energy system in the short and long term for centralized heat supply. The findings confirm that biogas and biomethane are essential, dispatchable renewable resources capable of supporting scalable, low-carbon, and resilient district heating systems across Europe.