Oslo, May 27 – 28, 2026
This seminar will focus on recent developments, research needs, and practical challenges in biogas production. The seminar aims to bring together researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and discuss emerging issues related to biogas systems and digestate management.
The overall theme of the seminar is ‘Current Trends in Biogas Research and Production’. Through presentations and discussions, the seminar will highlight recent findings, identify knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for improving the sustainability and efficiency of biogas production and utilization.
This seminar is one of three seminars that have received funding from Innovation Norway in 2025 and 2026. The first seminar, focusing on the aquaculture industry and biogas, was held in Molde in May 2025. The second seminar, addressing knowledge development across the biogas value chain, took place in Ås and Oslo in November 2025.
Two main thematic areas will be addressed:
Residual Gas Potential in Digestate and Unwanted Gas Emissions
This topic focuses on the remaining methane potential in digestate after anaerobic digestion and the potential for unwanted gas emissions during storage and handling. Presentations may address measurement approaches, mitigation strategies, operational practices, and implications for greenhouse gas emissions and process optimization.
Challenges Related to the Use of Digestate as Fertilizer
This topic addresses agronomic and environmental aspects of digestate use. Relevant issues include nutrient availability, spread of potential harmful compounds, emissions during storage and application, regulatory aspects, and practical challenges related to the safe and effective use of digestate as a fertilizer in agricultural systems.
The seminar will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge, discussing ongoing research, and strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and other stakeholders involved in the biogas sector.
Day 1 – May 27
Kulturhuset, Youngs gate 6, 0181 Oslo, Norway
11:30 – Registration / light lunch
12:30 – Welcome
Pia Farstad von Hall, Biogass Norge
12:50 – The agricultural sector and the biogas industry
Simen Solbakken, Norwegian Farmers’ Union
13:10 – Regulations adapted to the circular economy. Why is risk assessment important?
Trine Eggen, NIBIO
13:30 – Digestate as fertiliser: status and knowledge gaps
Eva Brod, NIBIO
13:50 – Anaerobic digestion of slurry and NH₃ losses
Johanna Pedersen (AU)
Pause
14:40 – Bioelectrochemical conversion of biogenic CO₂ and wastes. Advances and outlook
Suman Bajracharya, LTU (Sweden)
15:10 – Digestate and environmental contaminants
Astrid Nesse, NIBIO
15:30 – Valorisation of biowaste in Southern Ethiopia for the production of biogas and biobriquettes, and its environmental impact
Lu Feng, NIBIO
15:50 – Norwegian standard for receiving organic waste for biogas production
Pål Smits, Standard Norway (committee chair)
17:00 – Closing
18:00 – Dinner
Day 2 – May 28
Kulturhuset, Youngs gate 6, 0181 Oslo, Norway
09:00 – Welcome
Pia Farstad von Hall, Biogass Norge
09:00 – Minimising greenhouse gas emissions from digestate
Norman Weiz, CAMBI
09:30 – Odour from digestate handling
Line Blytt, COWI
10:00 – The potential for increased biogas production by reducing residual gas and leaks
Tord Araldsen, Biogass Oslofjord
10:30 – Monitoring methane emissions from storage of untreated manure and digestate
Sissel Hanssen, NORSØK
11:00 – Emissions from biogas plants and emission reduction strategies in plant operation
Peter Kornatz, DBFZ
12:00 – How do different fertilisation systems affect nutrient content and biogas potential in livestock manure?
Linn Solli, NIBIO
12:30 – How to assess and communicate the multifunctionality and sustainability of the biogas value chain
Kari-Anne Lyng, NORSUS
13:00 – Questions from the audience
13:30–14:00 – Lunch to go and closing
