Background

The Biogas Plant in Lower Saxony, Germany, is a modern facility specialising in the production of biogas and biomethane from agricultural substrates. To further optimise operations and reduce exposure to volatile electricity prices, the operator aimed to increase on-site renewable power generation and enhance energy autonomy.

Electricity costs from the public grid have become increasingly volatile, posing a major economic risk for energy-intensive biogas and biomethane production. By integrating a hybrid renewable system — combining small wind turbines, photovoltaic arrays, and battery storage — the plant can now generate clean electricity directly on-site.

In this setup, wind power provides an ideal complement to solar generation, ensuring energy supply even at night or during overcast conditions, while the battery system balances fluctuations and secures continuous operation. Beyond improved energy independence, self-generated renewable electricity also reduces the carbon footprint of biomethane production and enhances the plant’s greenhouse gas (GHG) quota. The result is a more predictable, efficient, and sustainable operation with greater control over energy flows and costs.

Challenge

Biogas plants typically rely on a continuous power supply to operate fermentation, upgrading, and feedstock systems efficiently. Rising grid electricity prices and growing market volatility increase operational costs and planning uncertainty.

The operator sought a solution that would:

• Provide a reliable, locally generated share of renewable power
• Increase resilience against external electricity price fluctuations
• Demonstrate the potential of hybrid renewable integration for future scalability
• Contribute to improved sustainability and GHG performance

Solution

FlowGen implemented a Green Centre, a containerized hybrid system designed to complement the biogas plant’s operations with clean, locally generated power. The compact setup combines:

• Wind Power: Two 15 kW FlowGen turbines mounted on a container
• Solar Power: A 10 kWp photovoltaic system integrated on the container roof
• Battery Storage: A 22 kWh lithium-ion unit that balances fluctuations and ensures reliable, continuous power supply
• Smart Control Software: Intelligent real-time management that harmonises generation, storage, and consumption for maximum efficiency

While the hybrid system currently supplies a smaller share of the plant’s total electricity needs, it significantly improves operational flexibility and demonstrates the effectiveness of distributed renewable generation within a biogas facility. The system is scheduled to be expanded in the coming months with additional FlowGen wind turbines to further enhance energy self-sufficiency.

Results

The hybrid installation has enabled the Biogas Plant to cover part of its electricity demand through on-site renewable energy, reducing dependence on external grid power. The combination of wind, solar, and battery technologies enhances system stability and provides a buffer against energy market fluctuations.

Beyond the operational benefits, the project contributes to a lower carbon footprint for biomethane production and supports the plant’s compliance with renewable and GHG reduction targets. The planned expansion of FlowGen turbines will further strengthen these advantages in the near future.

Benefits

• Energy Security: Reliable on-site renewable power supporting continuous biogas operation
• Operational Flexibility: Hybrid system balances varying energy sources and consumption patterns
• Cost Stability: Lower exposure to volatile grid electricity prices
• Sustainability: Reduced carbon intensity and improved GHG quota performance
• Scalability: Modular concept allows step-by-step expansion — additional turbines already planned

Conclusion

The collaboration between the Biogas Plant and FlowGen highlights how hybrid renewable systems can enhance the stability and sustainability of modern biogas and biomethane operations. Even when covering only a portion of total energy demand, the integrated wind-solar-battery system delivers measurable operational value and lays the groundwork for further expansion. With additional FlowGen turbines planned, the site demonstrates how scalable hybrid solutions can advance energy independence in the agricultural sector.