Executive Summary

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI has published a study on biomethane production from biomass on behalf of the Federal Office of Energy. The research shows that Switzerland could self-supply a substantial portion of its future gas demand through intelligent use of wood residues, green waste, and sewage sludge. Approximately one quarter to one half of the expected gas demand could come from domestic sources. This would significantly reduce dependence on fossil gas imports and make the economy less vulnerable to global market volatility.

People

Topics

  • Energy independence and gas supply
  • Biomass and renewable energy
  • Biomethane production and methanation
  • Energy transition in Switzerland

Clarus Lead

Given volatile energy markets and geopolitical tensions, the question of energy autonomy has gained strategic relevance. The PSI study provides concrete options for action: by restructuring the energy system toward efficient technologies (heat pumps) and parallel biomethane production, Switzerland could significantly reduce its extreme dependence on gas imports. Decision-makers in energy and industrial policy thus receive a scientifically sound roadmap for reducing supply risks – without having to wait for technical solutions, as the maturity level of the required facilities is already high.

Detailed Summary

The study is based on a systematic analysis of various biomass utilization processes. Schildhauer and his team examined wood gasification, biogas plants, and methanation processes in detail. The core principle: biomass residues are utilized in a two-stage process. First, the energy system is converted to electrical technologies (heat pumps for heating, district heating networks), which reduces gas demand by a factor of 3–5. In parallel, biomethane is produced from biomass – particularly for high-temperature industrial processes in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, as well as for gas power plants during periods of low renewable generation.

Technical implementation occurs through wood gasifiers of various sizes. Small plants (35 kW to 1 MW) produce a partially combustible gas mixture that does not fit into the public gas network. Larger plants with spatially separated combustion and gasification, however, produce nitrogen-free product gas. This is methanated using nickel-based catalysts – carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are converted into methane. After water condensation, pure biomethane is created, which can be fed directly into the gas network.

Bauer emphasizes that biomass must not compete with food or feed production. The study focuses on material flows that would otherwise not be usable: wood residues, green waste, sewage sludge. These quantities hold considerable potential. The gradual system conversion could, after initial investments, significantly mitigate price volatility during global crises. Several new gasifier types could reach market maturity in the coming years.

Key Findings

  • Biomethane from Swiss biomass could cover 25–50% of future gas demand
  • Two-stage strategy required: energy efficiency (heat pumps) + biomethane production
  • Wood gasification with methanation is technically mature and market-ready
  • Biomass residues do not compete with food production
  • Significant reduction in import dependence and price stability possible

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: How were the potential quantities of available biomass (wood residues, green waste, sewage sludge) collected and validated? What uncertainty ranges does the estimate of 25–50% demand coverage contain?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent does funding from the Federal Office of Energy influence research focus? Are alternative technologies (power-to-gas, imports from neighboring countries) analyzed with equal weight?

  3. Causality and Alternatives: The study assumes that gas demand decreases by a factor of 3–5. What assumptions about electrification underlie this forecast? How sensitive are the results to slower electrification?

  4. Network Infrastructure: Biomethane feed-in to the gas network is mentioned as necessary. What is the current expansion status of network infrastructure, and what investment costs would result?

  5. Scalability: Small wood gasifiers (35 kW–1 MW) produce gas unsuitable for grid feed-in. How many large-scale projects would be required to achieve 25–50% demand coverage, and where could these be spatially located?

  6. Side Effects: Could increased biomass utilization lead to conflicts with biodiversity or forest protection goals? How is sustainability of raw material extraction ensured?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Technology Monitoring. Utilization Processes for Biomass: Gasification, Methanation and Pyrolysis – Thomas Nussbaumer, Tilman Schildhauer, Christian Bauer, Federal Office of Energy, 1.1.2026 – https://www.bfe.admin.ch

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Paul Scherrer Institute PSI – Press Release (16.04.2026)
  2. https://www.psi.ch/de/news/medienmitteilungen/schweizer-biomethan-hat-potenzial

Verification Status: ✓ 16.04.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 16.04.2026