Innovation Award EnergyDecentral 2026

In the biomethane and bio-LNG value chain, the creation and management of sustainability certificates (Proofs of Sustainability, PoS) has traditionally been handled entirely manually. Incoming documents, often containing large amounts of data, had to be reviewed, transferred and archived by hand, resulting in a time-consuming and error-prone process. As a result, operators frequently lacked a centralized overview of their PoS portfolio, which could create significant challenges during audits.

The new PoS Management Module for Biomethane and Bio-LNG from agriportance GmbH automates the entire lifecycle of these sustainability certificates for the first time. From automatic data extraction from incoming PoS documents to rule-based validation, conversion into Bio-LNG PoS certificates and the creation of audit-ready mass balances, the system replaces manual PDF processing with a fully traceable digital data record.

The module also covers additional processes such as PoS retirement and the generation of Proofs of Compliance (PoC). Outgoing Bio-LNG certificates can be generated automatically as PDF documents based on company templates and sent directly to customers from within the system. For audit purposes, every certificate is incorporated into a centralized mass balance system that can be filtered by period, customer and feedstock and exported to Excel.

The module provides operators of biomethane and bio-LNG facilities with a verifiable database instead of scattered PDFs and spreadsheets, significantly simplifying compliance with regulatory requirements. As such, it represents a substantial advancement in data management and documentation processes.

Commercial and industrial battery energy storage systems already use liquid cooling to dissipate the heat generated during charging and discharging cycles. However, inverters and the computing components they contain are typically excluded from the liquid cooling circuit and rely instead on conventional air cooling.

With the STORION-LC-TB150 Ultra, Alpha ESS Deutschland GmbH has extended liquid cooling to both the battery system and the electronic control components for the first time. This enables system output to increase from 125 kW to 150 kW, while extending service life from the industry-standard 8,000 cycles to approximately 12,000 cycles. In addition, the TB150 Ultra operates significantly more quietly than comparable systems using conventional air cooling.

Further advantages are provided by an active pressure-relief system featuring an explosion-protected fan. In the event of a fire, the fan is designed to safely manage pressure relief without damaging the system, while enabling the controlled release of gases and overpressure.
The STORION-LC-TB150 Ultra is the first commercial and industrial battery storage system to offer comprehensive liquid cooling for both batteries and electronic components. It therefore represents a significant advancement of a technology previously found primarily in large-scale applications.

Biogas and biomethane plants were originally designed for continuous operation. The gas produced is converted into electricity and heat in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, with the electricity being fed directly into the grid. Plant operation has traditionally been driven primarily by gas production rather than by the requirements of electricity and heat markets. However, the expansion of photovoltaic and wind energy has significantly changed energy markets, increasing the demand for flexibly available renewable generating capacity capable of supporting baseload power supply. Biogas plants can provide this flexibility, but until now it has generally been achieved, at comparatively high cost, through additional heat technology, upgraded gas storage facilities, higher CHP capacities, and supplementary grid connection and infrastructure investments.

The SBHKW 2500 Storage CHP Unit creates a new approach to the use of biogas and biomethane. Developed jointly by Biogas Service Tarmstedt GmbH, patent holder and developer Christian Cordes, and engineering consultancy Christoph Wordelmann, the system is able to supply renewable energy not only when it is generated, but also when required by the market, the electricity grid or critical infrastructure.

By combining constant CHP output with integrated electrical energy storage, the SBHKW is able to decouple electricity generation from electricity marketing while continuing to utilize the heat produced. This makes it possible to provide renewable energy according to market demand and in compliance with the requirements of Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG). At the same time, investment costs are lower and profitability is improved through the ability to take advantage of fluctuations in electricity prices.

Through the intelligent integration of CHP generation and energy storage into a single system, the SBHKW represents a significant advancement in both the functionality and operational concept of electricity generation from biogas.

Nutrient contents in slurry and digestate are generally determined either from standard reference values or through laboratory analyses. Reference values are often highly generalized and do not adequately reflect differences between farms, batches, or seasonal feeding changes. Laboratory analyses, on the other hand, can be affected by sampling and handling errors. Although NIR sensors can continuously analyze organic fertilizers, they are mainly used during field application. A fully integrated approach linking nutrient analysis with incoming material registration, weighing and downstream processes at biogas plants has not yet been established across the industry.

The SubstratScan developed by Biotaktix GmbH is the first system to combine continuous NIR analysis of slurry and digestate with vehicle weighing systems and the company's ERP software. Measurements of dry matter content and nutrient levels are automatically assigned to the corresponding weighbridge record and become immediately available for evaluation, invoicing, reporting and nutrient accounting without manual data transfer.

This dataset can be used to apply contract-specific billing formulas based on quantity, dry matter content or analytical values. It also enables the creation of credit notes or electronic invoices for transfer to DATEV accounting software, as well as regulatory reporting and nutrient balances, all without repeated data entry.

Biotaktix supplies the sensor, a customer-specific pipe adapter, the evaluation unit and full software integration as a ready-to-use complete system. As a result, manual sampling is no longer required, workplace safety is improved, and data quality, process reliability, transparency and profitability are significantly enhanced.

By integrating NIR nutrient analysis, weighing data and ERP software into a single solution for the first time, SubstratScan represents a substantial advancement in the management of biogas plant processes.

Climate change is presenting agriculture with increasing challenges, including longer periods of drought, more frequent heavy rainfall events and changing nutrient availability. In arable farming, the use of biochar can help maintain essential soil functions by improving the soil’s capacity to retain water and nutrients, thereby enhancing long-term soil fertility. In addition, biochar enables carbon to be sequestered in the soil, contributing to climate protection efforts.

The Guntamatic Powerchip Biochar, developed by GUNTAMATIC Heiztechnik GmbH, is the first woodchip heating system in the 50 to 100 kW output range to integrate a controlled pyrolysis process. This makes it the first woodchip boiler capable of producing high-quality biochar as a by-product of heat generation.

The technology enables a significantly negative carbon balance to be achieved locally, without reliance on large-scale infrastructure or industrial facilities. The biochar produced can be integrated directly into agricultural systems, for example for soil improvement or slurry enhancement. In this way, the system combines renewable heat generation with climate protection, resource efficiency and regional value creation.

By combining proven, production-ready technologies in a new way, the Guntamatic Powerchip Biochar links the energetic use of wood with additional climate-protection measures and represents a significant improvement to existing processes.

In agricultural building construction, roofs made from sandwich roof panels with retrofitted rooftop photovoltaic systems are considered the industry standard. However, these sandwich elements are increasingly being criticized because of the high energy consumption required for their manufacture. In addition, separating the steel outer layers from the foam core is difficult, creating challenges for dismantling and recycling. Building-integrated photovoltaic systems typically require in-roof PV elements to be mounted on battens and counter-battens, resulting in additional materials and installation steps.

With its Timber Energy Roof, Rudolf Hörmann GmbH & Co. KG introduces the first economically viable in-roof photovoltaic system for large-scale agricultural buildings. The system combines a load-bearing solid timber roof structure with photovoltaic power generation in an integrated roofing solution.

Because the substructure is mounted directly onto the solid timber roof deck, conventional battens and traditional roof coverings made of sheet metal or tiles are no longer required. This significantly reduces both material usage and installation effort. The core of the innovation is a specially developed support structure consisting of folded main and cross profiles that create a rainproof in-roof system with a two-stage drainage concept. Rainwater is directed in a controlled manner via the module surfaces and the profile structure towards the eaves.

The system uses framed standard photovoltaic modules that can be easily replaced if damaged. For the first time, the carbon storage function of a solid timber roof is combined with renewable energy generation in a practical and cost-efficient roofing solution.
In addition, the Wood Energy Roof opens up possibilities for utilizing the warm air accumulating beneath the PV modules, for example for hay drying applications.

By combining timber construction and renewable energy generation in a single roofing concept, the Timber Energy Roof represents a significant advancement for agricultural buildings and livestock facilities.