DigiBiogasHubs, a joint research project between the University of Vaasa, Centria University of Applied Sciences and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, brings together biogas market players through a digital online platform and creates a basis for a new kind of cooperation. The development of regional biogas hubs and the identification of convergence points between them are central to the objective of multiplying biogas production and use.
The platform developed in this project will serve both as a marketplace and as a cooperation network for biogas operators. The aim has been to create an entity that integrates biogas trade, feedstock management, logistics, support services and regulatory information into a single interface. Key future functionalities of the platform have been identified, including map-based operator tracking, tendering for logistics services, bidding and auctioning, and management of quality and certificates of origin.
Open APIs will be built into the platform to allow for its extension and integration with other systems. Data security, GDPR compliance and ease of use have been identified as key design principles guiding the technical specification of the platform. The legal review has also made recommendations, such as the introduction of a code of conduct and clear contractual models, which could support fair competition and clarify cooperation between operators.
The piloting of the platform has started in a phased approach and will test in practice how the envisaged functionalities meet the needs of stakeholders. The feedback gathered during the pilot will guide further development, with the aim of building a scalable and long-lasting solution that supports the growth and sustainability of the biogas market. The DigiBiogasHubs project shows that biogas has an important role to play in the green transition – not only as an energy source, but also as an enabler for regional cooperation and the circular economy.
Read more about the DigiBiogasHubs project (in Finnish)