Biogas in the United Kingdom & Sweden - A Technological Innovation System Based Analysis

• Main Author: Gordon, Niall
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper 2011
• Subjects: Sustainable development; Technological Innovation System (TIS); biogas; anaerobic digestion; Sweden; United Kingdom
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-160460

The production of biogas via anaerobic digestion is an effective technology for converting organic waste into renewable fuel. Using the Technological Innovation System (TIS) theory for assessing emerging technologies a comparison between the British and Swedish biogas sectors is carried out. There are seven components to a TIS allowing the sector to be broken down, a potential scheme for the connection of the functions is illustrated. The Swedish biogas sector is at a more advanced stage of development due to long-term governmental support both financially and through stringent environmental laws. Overall the Swedish government has been an effective system builder allowing the Swedish biogas sector to expand. The British biogas sector is conversely less advanced due to lack of this long-term support, although the scene is beginning to change as the government positions itself as a more effective system builder. Several lessons can be learnt from the Swedish biogas sector; longterm financial support for renewable energy is required and stringent organic waste disposal laws both encourage the development of biogas.