Modular biogas plants have become an attractive alternative to traditional stick-built modular plants as the demand for clean energy increases. This is due, in part, to the benefits of modular construction in terms of its ability to reduce project timelines and costs while producing scalable, prefabricated modular units that can be easily transported to remote and hard-to-reach locations.
As of 2024, the global modular gas plant market was valued at USD 1.34 billion. By 2034, the market is expected to expand to USD 2.41 billion. Currently, the United States has over 2,200 biogas systems in operation nationwide. Further, it has the potential to add over 13,500 new systems.
A Brief Introduction to Biogas
Biogas is a fuel source produced by the breakdown of organic waste, such as livestock and agricultural waste. It is produced through biological fermentation under controlled, oxygen-free conditions. Biogas comprises methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. After it is captured, it can produce heat and electricity. It can also be converted into biomethane and used as a vehicle fuel.
Modular biogas plants are designed to meet the increasing demand for natural renewable energy and an alternative to ineffective and inefficient waste management solutions. These modular solutions are ideal for renewable energy projects located in remote and hard-to-reach areas where the transportation of raw gas to a processing plant is either unfeasible or expensive.
The Design Process: Modular Biogas Plant
Modular biogas plant design differs from traditional stick-built construction in producing prefabricated modular systems containing all the necessary components to produce, capture, transfer, and store biogas. Construction occurs off-site in a controlled environment, such as a fabrication facility. Modular units are tested to ensure they meet all necessary quality standards before being shipped to the project location for installation and commissioning.
The front-end design and fabrication process will vary depending on project requirements. Project size, design requirements and specifications, and environmental conditions will determine the components that produce fully functional biogas process systems.
How Much Electricity Can a Biogas Plant Produce?
The amount of electricity that can be produced will vary depending on the size and scale of the modular biogas plant in consideration. However, on average, a cubic meter of biogas can produce at least 2-3 kWh of electricity.
According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, depending on the feedstock, biogas can produce the following amount of energy per year:
- Food Waste: With a sample size of 100 tons of food waste daily, biological fermentation can produce enough energy to power 800 to 1,400 homes per year.
- Landfill Gas: Landfill gas currently produces about 17 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and delivers 98 billion cubic feet of gas to natural pipelines or end-users annually.
- Livestock Waste: The EPA estimates that livestock waste could generate up to 13 million megawatt-hours of energy annually.
H+M Modular—Modular Biogas Plants
Modular construction is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to stick-built construction across industries. This is especially true for capital projects seeking more efficient, fast-to-market solutions that utilize renewable energy resources.
However, to maximize your return on investment and ensure that your project is economically viable in the long run, you must work with a qualified EPC contractor who has proven experience in modular construction.
H+M’s modular group specializes in designing and fabricating truckable modules, providing exceptional capital project execution from concept to start-up for clients across the United States. From our engineering and fabrication headquarters in Houston, Texas, we can transport your project to wherever you are. For over three decades, we have provided end-to-end solutions for a wide range of project sizes within the energy, chemical, and terminals and logistics industries.
We are dedicated to providing trust, experience, and efficiency through all stages of engineering, procurement, and construction through our proven strategic EPC approach. Our comprehensive services, including front-end planning, detail engineering and design, procurement, fabrication, and construction allow us to take your modular process plant project from conception to completion, tailoring engineering and design solutions to meet your unique needs.
The H+M Industrial Team
For over three decades, we have provided best-in-class capital project management services to Energy and Chemical industries through our proven EPC approach. We are dedicated to providing trust, experience, and efficiency through all stages of engineering, procurement, and construction--on budget and on time.
Partnering with H+M Modular
H+M Modular, a division of H+M Industrial EPC, specializes in custom fabricated equipment, modules, and skids for energy and chemical industries. The approach emphasizes the potential for decreased risk through more controlled fabrication, leading to enhanced quality and safety, reduced labor costs and construction times, improved labor availability, and solutions to geographic challenges. We are dedicated to providing trust, experience, and efficiency through all stages of traditional and modular construction projects using our proven EPFC approach, If you're considering modular fabrication, we invite you to connect with us to learn about how modular solutions can improve project outcomes.
