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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

This study evaluates Spain’s biomethane production potential for 2030 and 2050, focusing on agricultural residues, livestock manure, municipal solid waste (MSW), and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge. The research aims to provide a regional analysis based on historical data on livestock populations, cultivated land, waste availability, and demographic projections. Using utilization coefficients and technological assumptions derived from existing biogas infrastructure, the study estimates that Spain could generate 9.71 TWh of biomethane by 2030, slightly below the national target of 10.41 TWh. By 2050, agricultural and livestock residues are expected to contribute 30.04 TWh, accounting for nearly 80% of total biomethane production, while the relative share of MSW and WWTP sludge will decrease. Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León emerge as key contributors due to their extensive agricultural and livestock sectors. Catalonia and Madrid maintain significant roles driven by urban waste generation. The findings underscore the need for infrastructure expansion, particularly enhancing biomethane injection facilities into the natural gas grid, alongside financial incentives to support industry growth. This study highlights the role of biomethane in Spain’s renewable energy sector, emphasizing its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimize organic waste utilization, and contribute to a sustainable energy transition.

Details

Title
Assessment of Biomethane Production Potential in Spain: A Regional Analysis of Agricultural Residues, Municipal Waste, and Wastewater Sludge for 2030 and 2050
Author
López-Aguilera Aurora 1 ; Morales-Polo, Carlos 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Victoria-Rodríguez, Javier 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; del Mar, Cledera-Castro María 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Research Group on Emerging Pollutants and Resource Recovery (gCEV), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] (A.L.-A.); [email protected] (J.V.-R.) 
 Research Group on Emerging Pollutants and Resource Recovery (gCEV), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] (A.L.-A.); [email protected] (J.V.-R.), Institute for Research in Technology (IIT), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] 
 Institute for Research in Technology (IIT), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] 
First page
4742
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20711050
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3212131744
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.