Switzerland is a hub for commodity trading. Did you know that this activity represents 4% of Swiss GDP, and even 22% of tax revenue for the canton of Geneva? We continue to explore this vast subject from another angle, but in a new series, we publish a series of articles, focusing each time on a raw material and an artistic or cultural work. This week, we are addressing the topic of biogas. We will focus on the biogas cycle and see the potentials of biogas in Switzerland. This gives us the opportunity to look at the book Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.
The war in Ukraine underscored Switzerland’s dependence on Russian gas. The issue of energy supply has become central. Indeed, Switzerland is dependent on Russia. It is therefore a question of finding other sources of supply.
Biogas cycle
Here is the biogas cycle in an animation:
Biogas potential in Switzerland
François Vuille, president of the conference of cantonal energy services, explains that “Swiss biogas represents only 1% of total sales, but the potential for local biomethane production is far from negligible. »
This would not make it possible to offset all of the deliveries from Russia, but it might still cover between 10% and 20% of our current consumption, notes the expert.
Project in Switzerland
Reservoirs for natural gas, biogas and hydrogen might emerge in Switzerland.
The Federal Council is taking an interest in the matter in order to strengthen the security of supply and has asked for clarification of the framework conditions required on the legal and financial levels. However, such facilities should not see the light of day quickly. Five to ten years are needed from decision-making to implementation. They will be submitted to the Federal Council by the end of April 2023.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo had foreseen the use of manure, biogas as an ecological resource.
It is in Book V that we can clearly see Victor Hugo’s advance over his time. He tells us regarding the sewers of Paris. The sewer serves as a pretext for ecological reflection.
“If our gold is our manure, on the other hand our manure is gold (…)
All the human and animal fertilizer that the world loses, returned to the earth instead of being thrown into the water, would be enough to feed the world. »
Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
For more anecdotes regarding biogas:
Raw materials, from a different angle – 30. Biogas
In the same series, “Raw materials and art”:
- Cereals and Van Gogh
- Coffee and culture
- Cotton and Edgar Degas
- Cocoa and Luis Meléndez
- Sugar and Sartre
- Copper and Chardin
- Steel and Gayle Hermick
- Corn and Jean Mortel
Sources :
Biogas produced in Switzerland might replace part of Russian gas – rts.ch – Switzerland
Why natural gas and biogas is a smart choice (energie360.ch)
Energy: the Federal Council is examining the possibility of installing reservoirs in Switzerland for natural gas, biogas and hydrogen (admin.ch)
Les Miserables/Volume 5/Book 2/01 – Wikisource
“L’or manure”: an ecological pamphlet by Victor Hugo – Sambuc Encyclopedia (sambuc-editeur.fr)
Photo credit : Victor Hugo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
