Fraunhofer Develops Data Platform for Biogas Plants

October 21, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology has developed a fully digital solution for electricity-price-based control of biogas plants.

With the amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) planned for 2027, lawmakers are moving toward even more flexible and market-price-oriented electricity generation from biogas plants. At the same time, the number of operating hours eligible for remuneration will be limited. For the operators of the nearly 10,000 biogas plants in Germany, this means that timing the feed-in of electricity is becoming increasingly important.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) has developed a data platform that allows biogas plant operators to align their electricity generation with market prices, the IGB announced on October 20. According to the developers, the technology combines process data from the plant control system with forecasts for gas production and electricity price trends. This should also enable existing plants to adapt their operations to the requirements of the electricity market without having to replace their control systems.

A biogas plant generates a significant amount of data: Sensors measure temperatures in the fermenter, the composition of the biogas, and the fill level of the gas storage tank. The plant control system tracks the speeds, runtime, and operating states of pumps and agitators. It also logs warnings and malfunctions.

However, most of this information is used solely for immediate plant operation. “For long-term analyses, forecasts, or comprehensive optimization, the data is often not available in the required format,” explains Alexander Laug, a process engineer at Fraunhofer IGB. Measurement values are often stored only for a limited time, data structures vary, and important contextual information—such as operating states or threshold values—is available only in isolation. This is where the new solution comes in.

Operational data remains on the plant

The developed data platform makes this process data from the plants usable: “Our edge device is an industrial computer that is installed directly on the plant. It supplements the existing programmable logic controller—or PLC for short—with an additional data and computing layer,” explains Laug. This creates a database in which current measured values, historical trends, and the associated operating states can be linked together. External information—such as electricity price or weather forecasts—can also be retrieved and added.

This allows the Edge Device to serve as a link between traditional plant automation and data-driven operations management. While the PLC remains responsible for reliable plant operation, the Edge Device supplements this level with data storage, analysis, and computing power for forecasting, optimization, and AI models.

According to the researchers, a high forecasted electricity price does not automatically lead to a recommendation for electricity generation. The model simultaneously checks whether sufficient biogas is available at the relevant time and whether the combined heat and power plant can deliver the intended output. This results in a schedule for electricity production. The goal is to shift power feed-in to periods with higher market revenues. The models can initially generate recommendations for operating personnel without directly intervening in the plant’s control system.

According to the IGB, another key feature of the platform is that data is processed at the plant site. The industrial computer handles storage and analysis, so operational data does not necessarily have to be transferred to a cloud service. Operators can specify which information leaves the plant.

The Fraunhofer IGB also sees potential applications outside the biogas industry. The institute cites wastewater treatment plants, irrigation systems, and drinking water supply facilities as examples. In wastewater treatment plants, such models could, among other things, adjust aeration in the biological treatment stage to meet demand or monitor the operation of equipment.

Author: Heidi Roider