Delegation to Germany strengthened the Sino-German Exchange on Biomethane Industry

Due to the raising demand of natural gas in China, the National Energy Administration defined ambitious targets to reach a biomethane (also called bio natural gas) production capacity of 30 billion m3 per year in 2030. With only a production capacity of 30 million m3 per year in 2017, the Chinese biomethane industry is still in the development phase. Right now, China is showing great interest in foreign experience with funding policies, market mechanisms and technologies.

Due to this background, the Sino-German Energy Partnership and the Biomass Industry Promotion Association (BEIPA) carried out a study tour from 19th to 26th May in Germany. It focused on the status quo and development of the German biomethane sector and state-of-the-art technologies. For the first time in this scale, 16 high ranking representatives of the Chinese biomethane industry participated. Accompanied by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) project manager Ms. Ma Qiongying, the delegation made several field trips and payed visits to companies to promote German solutions for the growing Chinese biomethane sector.

Beginning in Bavaria the delegation visited Europe’s biggest biogas association, the German Biogas Association. There the Head of Department for International Affairs Mr. Sebastian Stolpp lectured on the biogas market and legal development in Germany. The study tour continued with visits to the plant component manufacturers Binder Group, Suma Rührtechnik GmbH and Awite Bioenergie GmbH where the manufacturers presented their companies and state-of-the-art technologies.

The study tour carried on to Berlin, where the delegation was welcomed by Ms. Ellen von Zitzewitz of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Energy. Following, Ms. Julia Buccini of the Export Initiative and Mr. Hendrik Meller of the GIZ briefed the participants on the German energy transition and cooperation opportunities between China and Germany. From the Chinese side, the general manager of BEIPA Mr. Zhang Dayong informed about the goals and status quo of the biomethane sector in China and market chances for German companies. After the event at the ministry, the study tour moved on to the EUREF-campus in Berlin where the Gasag’s Energiewerkstatt (energy workshop) showcases a state-of-the-art district energy system. In the surroundings of Berlin, the tour further visited the SH SULPHTEC GmbH which builds solutions for desulphurization, as well as several biogas plants in Barby, Könnern and Rathenow. In Rathenow the Alensys Engineering GmbH shared their experiences in the construction of plants for the generation and energetic use of biogas, for aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment as well as of plants for combined heat and power generation.

The entire trip in Germany achieved a big success with fruitful discussions and in-depth exchanges. Both side expressed that they look forward to more exchanges and cooperation between the Sino-German biomethane industry in the future.

Visiting the biogas facility in Alensys Engineering GmbH in Rathenow, ©GIZ

Visiting the biogas facility in Alensys Engineering GmbH in Rathenow, ©GIZ

Visiting the bio gas facility in Alensys Engineering GmbH in Rathenow, ©GIZ

Discusstion with BMWi, Export Initiative and GIZ Berlin, ©GIZ

Discusstion with BMWi, Export Initiative and GIZ Berlin, ©GIZ

Discussion with BMWi, Export Initiative and GIZ Berlin, ©GIZ

Visiting the SH SULPHTEC GmbH and learning solutions for desulphurization, ©BEIPA

Visiting the SH SULPHTEC GmbH and learning solutions for desulphurization, ©BEIPA

Visiting the SH SULPHTEC GmbH and learning solutions for desulphurization, ©BEIPA