Glossar

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 Baseload supply
The minimum amount of available electric power used to meet minimum expected customer requirements at a given time in the course of a day in a specific electric power supply system. Baseload electricity is generally supplied by power plants that run on low-cost fuels and are most efficient at set outputs.
BImSchG permit
From the abbreviation for the German Federal Emissions Control Act [Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz]; permission to construct and operate a facility that is subject to the regulations set down in this law.
Biogas
This gas mixture is the result of a biological process, in which organic substances are degraded under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions. Biogas typically contains 45–70% methane, 30–55% carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases such as nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide; it can be used to generate electricity or heat or as an engine fuel.
Biogas-generated electricity
To generate electricity with biogas, methanogenic (see methane) bacteria first ferment biomass in an oxygen-free environment to produce biogas, which is then cooled down, purified, and combusted in a combined heat and power station or a turbine.
Biomass
The total mass of organic material in a defined ecosystem; biomass is the most versatile source of renewable energy. It can be used in solid, liquid, or gas form to supply heat, produce electricity, or fuel engines.
 Carbon dioxide (CO2)
A colorless, odorless, non-poisonous gas that is made up of oxygen and carbon atoms; it is a final product of fossil fuel combustion.
CHP bonus
According to the EEG, a bonus can be paid for a CHP facility if it generates electricity as defined by the Combined Heat and Power Law [Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung-Gesetz].
Co-fermentation
The simultaneous bio-degradation of two substances such as manure and other organic matter. Co-fermentation can increase biogas yield.
Combined heat/power generation (CHP)
The production of the two grid-bound energy forms electricity and heat in a simultaneous process.
Combined heat/power station (BHKW/CHPS)
A facility that produces both electricity and heat; such processes are referred to as combined heat and power station (CHP) or cogeneration.
Condensation
Biogas generated in a fermenter is saturated with water vapor and must be dehydrated before use in a BHKW/CHPS in a process called condensation. This occurs in a condensate trap within gas piping or by drying the biogas generated.
 Digestion
See fermentation.
Dry matter
What remains of a substance when it has been completely dehydrated, that is, when all water has been removed.
 EEG
Abbreviation for the German Renewable Energy Law [Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz], designed to protect the global climate, wildlife, and the environment and, more specifically, facilitate sustainable development in energy production; reduce the overall costs of energy production including those resulting from long-term external effects; contribute to avoiding conflicts over fossil fuel; promote the development of technologies for electricity generation from renewable biomass resources.
Emission
From the Latin word for sending out / off; here, the release of substances into the environment, such as gases from industrial processes or exhaust from motor vehicles.
Energy reserves
Generally, a term used to refer to fossil fuel deposits beneath the earth’s surface when their existence has been confirmed and they are considered to be extractable with current technological means at cost-effective prices.
 Feed-in contract
Contract regulating the purchase of electricity by utilities companies.
Feed-in tariff
Paragraph 8 of the EEG regulates reimbursement for biogas-generated electricity. Over a period of twenty years, biogas facilities are promoted by payment of pre-fixed feed-in tariffs calculated on the basis of unit capacity and the substrates utilized.
Fermentation
In general usage, the degradation of biological substances by microorganisms. In a more specific biochemical sense, a biological reaction under oxygen-free conditions.
Fermentation byproducts
Products other than biogas that are left over after biomass has undergone fermentation. If high quality standards are maintained (and, in some cases, after further processing), fermentation byproducts can be utilized as a valuable organic fertilizer.
Fermentation, mesophilic
The conversion of substances by microorganisms at optimum temperatures between 30°C and 40°C.
Fermentation, thermophilic
The conversion of substances by microorganisms at optimum temperatures above 50°C.
Fermenter
An apparatus in which microorganisms can be grown in order to carry out biochemical reactions under controlled conditions; also called a digester.
Fossil fuel
Buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials that were formed in biological and physical processes inside the earth and on the earth’s surface over long periods of time; includes oil, natural gas, and various kinds of coal as well as oil shale.
Full load hours
Operated hours, calculated on the basis of 100 percent capacity utilization.
 Hygienization
Process that eliminates harmful microorganisms and substances by heat treatment of manure.
 Immission
Derived from the Latin word for sending into, immission generally means the reception of a substance by a system. In an environmental context, immission is most often used to refer to the transfer of pollutants such as solid, liquid, or gaseous contaminants into the air, water, or soil. Sound, light, radiation, or vibrations introduced into the environment can also be described as immissions. Every immission is the result of a preceding emission.
 kWh
The abbreviation for kilowatt-hour, a unit for measuring energy. Multiplying power with time yields the actual energy used to perform a task.
 Manure
Organic matter used as fertilizer; here, more specifically, a mixture of animal excrement (urine and feces).
Methane (CH4)
A colorless, odorless gas that is constantly being produced in natural processes, usually far below the earth’s surface under high temperatures and pressure; frequently released into the earth’s atmosphere as a result of volcanic activity.
 Nawaro bonus
A special bonus introduced by the EEG and paid to the operators of facilities that use only biomass, manure, and/or residues from agricultural distilleries for heat and power production.
 Organic dry matter (ODM)
The organic content of a particular substance that remains after it has been completely dehydrated. Organic dry matter content is especially important in producing biogas, since it directly affects yield as well as quality of the biogas generated.
 Peak load electricity
Electricity that is generated to supplement baseload electric power and thus guarantee generation of sufficient power in periods of highest customer demand.
Pelleting
A process in which substances (usually of organic origin) are compressed to small »packages« or pellets. In bioenergy parks like ours, fermentation byproducts from the biogas generation process are converted into high-quality fertilizer in pellet form.
pH value

The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution:

  • solutions with pH < 7 are acidic
  • solutions with pH = 7 are neutral
  • solutions with pH > 7 are alkaline

In many cases, biological processes and chemical reactions require a specific pH value in the environment to occur.

Power grid contract
Agreement about the connection of a customer / facility to the electric power grid.
Power grid usage contract
Agreement about the use of the electric power grid.
 Regenerative energy
See renewable energy.
Renewable or regenerative energy sources
By human time scales, these resources are considered to be unlimited, since they are generated in ongoing natural processes and replaced at rates equal to or faster than the rate of consumption. Renewable energy sources include sunshine, wind, flowing water or wave power, biomass, and geothermal heat.
Renewable resources
In German, »nachwachsende Rohstoffe« is the umbrella term for all organic material of plant or animal origin that can be utilized as a raw material for producing useful substances or energy. The name of Nawaro® BioEnergie AG is derived from this term. »NAWARO« is a registered trademark of Nawaro® BioEnergie AG.
Retention time
The period of time that a specific substance remains in a fermenter during a biological process.
 Silage
A plant material obtained from field crops that have undergone anaerobic fermentation in storage silos. In this form, silage can be stored for longer periods and used as forage for livestock or to produce biogas.
 Watt (W)
A unit of power. Here, watt is the unit used to refer to power produced as electricity, for example by a biogas facility.