Barriers to the wider implementation of biogas as a source of energy: A state-of-the-art review

Many countries have realised that biogas as a source of energy is an important component for sustainability transition. However, the total production volume of biogas is still relatively low. Such slow development raises a fundamental question—what are the current barriers hindering the wider uptake of biogas as a source of energy? In order to answer the question, a systematic state-of-the-art review of the barriers was conducted based on the Scopus database. The results of the review were summarised by country and were divided into two broad categories: developed and developing economies. Each group was analysed separately according to six types of barriers: (1) technical, (2) economic, (3) market, (4) institutional, (5) socio-cultural, and (6) environmental barriers. By analysing the barriers through different contexts, the most frequent and crucial constraints the biogas industry currently faces were identified and integrated into a systematic classification. In addition, possible solutions on how to overcome the most critical barriers were added.