Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 118-131 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 127 9 Policy and Regulatory Framework 9.1 Overview of policies supporting anaerobic digestion and biomethane production The promotion of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane production is supported by various policies aimed at enhancing renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In Europe, regulatory support schemes incentivize the conversion of biomass to biogas, which can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas grid. These policies provide financial incentives, such as feed-in tariffs and subsidies, to make investments in AD technology economically viable (Verbeeck et al., 2018). Additionally, the use of biogas for electricity and heat generation is encouraged through government support, which helps in connecting decentralized biomass production to centralized energy systems (Verbeeck et al., 2018). 9.2 Regulatory challenges and incentives for agricultural waste utilization Despite the supportive policies, several regulatory challenges hinder the widespread adoption of AD for agricultural waste utilization. One major challenge is the economic and environmental concerns associated with the land application of AD effluent, which can limit the use of AD for treating agricultural and food wastes (Sheets et al., 2015). To address these issues, emerging technologies for the treatment and reuse of AD effluent are being developed, but their application is often limited by regulatory constraints and the composition of the effluent (Sheets et al., 2015). Furthermore, the variation in food waste characteristics and the lack of standardized regulations can affect the efficiency of AD processes and the consistency of biogas production (Bong et al., 2018). Incentives for agricultural waste utilization include financial support for biogas upgrading techniques, such as water scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, and membrane separation, which are essential for producing pipeline-quality biomethane (Nguyen et al., 2020). These incentives help wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) become net energy producers by utilizing spare digestion capacity and generating surplus biogas (Nguyen et al., 2020). 9.3 Role of government and industry in promoting sustainable practices The government plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices by providing regulatory frameworks and financial incentives that support the development and adoption of AD technology. Policies that encourage the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are essential for driving the growth of the AD industry (Verbeeck et al., 2018; Nguyen et al., 2020). Additionally, government support for research and development can lead to innovations in biogas upgrading techniques and the efficient treatment of AD effluent (Sheets et al., 2015; Nguyen et al., 2020). The industry also has a significant role in promoting sustainable practices by investing in advanced AD technologies and optimizing the AD process. For instance, the integration of pyrolysis with AD can enhance biomethane production and improve the overall efficiency of the process (Salman et al., 2017). Moreover, the use of conductive carbon materials, such as graphene, can boost biomethane yield and production rate by facilitating direct interspecies electron transfer (Lin et al., 2017). By adopting these innovative approaches, the industry can contribute to the sustainable management of agricultural waste and the production of renewable energy. In conclusion, the collaboration between government and industry is vital for overcoming regulatory challenges and promoting the efficient utilization of agricultural waste through AD technology. By providing supportive policies and investing in advanced technologies, both entities can drive the growth of the biomethane industry and contribute to a more sustainable future. 10 Future Prospects and Research Directions 10.1 Emerging Trends and Technologies in Anaerobic Digestion Recent advancements in anaerobic digestion (AD) technology have focused on integrating various processes to enhance biomethane production. One notable trend is the coupling of anaerobic digestion with pyrolysis, where biochar produced from pyrolysis is used as an adsorbent in the digester to increase biomethane yield and stabilize the microbial community (Salman et al., 2017). Additionally, the use of co-digestion strategies, such as combining shrimp chaff with agricultural biomass, has shown significant improvements in biomethane production and system
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