Abstract In this paper we present a techno-economic analysis of a novel route for biomethane – urea co-production from biogas. The idea emerges as an alternative path for improving the profitability of biogas upgrading plants. The profitability of four different biogas plant sizes (100, 250, 500, and 1000 m3/h) in four European countries (Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany) is studied under the current policy schemes for biomethane production of each country. Our study evidences that with the present policy schemes for biomethane production, only medium and large scale plants (500 and 1000 m3/h) in Italy would be profitable. The reason is the current strong support for biomethane production in Italy through feed-in tariffs subsidies. In this sense, we analysed the potential benefits of governmental incentives through bio-methane subsidies (feed-in tariffs and investment percentage). Feed-in tariffs proved to be a worthwhile solution for large plants. Indeed, profitability is reached under subsidies of 30–48 €/MWh. Overall, plants located in southern EU countries are more likely to reach profitability with lower subsidies. The potential of costs reduction (i.e. ammonia price) was also analysed, showing that cutting-down production costs is essential to reduce the amount of subsidies received. In summary, our study shows the challenge that European policies face in the path towards a bio-based economy using biogas upgrading as reference case.

中文翻译：

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生物燃料和生物化学品的生产是否总是有利可图的？从沼气中联产生物甲烷和尿素作为案例研究

摘要 在本文中，我们对从沼气中联产生物甲烷和尿素的新途径进行了技术经济分析。该想法是提高沼气提纯厂盈利能力的替代途径。四个欧洲国家（西班牙、意大利、英国和德国）的四种不同规模的沼气厂（100、250、500 和 1000 m3/h）的盈利能力在每个国家当前的生物甲烷生产政策计划下进行了研究。我们的研究表明，根据目前的生物甲烷生产政策计划，意大利只有中型和大型工厂（500 和 1000 立方米/小时）才能盈利。原因是目前意大利通过上网电价补贴大力支持生物甲烷生产。在这个意义上，我们通过生物甲烷补贴（上网电价和投资百分比）分析了政府激励措施的潜在收益。事实证明，对于大型工厂来说，上网电价是一个值得的解决方案。实际上，在 30-48 欧元/兆瓦时的补贴下实现了盈利。总体而言，位于欧盟南部国家的工厂更有可能通过较低的补贴实现盈利。还分析了降低成本（即氨价格）的潜力，表明降低生产成本对于减少收到的补贴金额至关重要。总之，我们的研究显示了欧洲政策在以沼气升级为参考案例的生物经济发展道路上面临的挑战。在 30-48 欧元/兆瓦时的补贴下实现盈利。总体而言，位于欧盟南部国家的工厂更有可能通过较低的补贴实现盈利。还分析了降低成本（即氨价格）的潜力，表明降低生产成本对于减少收到的补贴金额至关重要。总之，我们的研究显示了欧洲政策在以沼气升级为参考案例的生物经济发展道路上面临的挑战。在 30-48 欧元/兆瓦时的补贴下实现盈利。总体而言，位于欧盟南部国家的工厂更有可能通过较低的补贴实现盈利。还分析了降低成本（即氨价格）的潜力，表明降低生产成本对于减少收到的补贴金额至关重要。总之，我们的研究显示了欧洲政策在以沼气升级为参考案例的生物经济发展道路上面临的挑战。