Institute of Biogas, Waste Management and Energy (Germany)

The Institute of Biogas, Waste Management and Energy (Germany) — widely known as the Institute for Biogas, Circular Economy & Energy (IBKE) — is a Weimar-based consultancy and research organisation focused on biogas, biomethane, waste management, and renewable energy. It provides market and feasibility studies, profitability analysis, greenhouse-gas (GHG) balancing, expert opinions, and operational support to biogas plant operators, industry, policymakers, and consumers. Its work centres on helping German biogas plants navigate the end of the 20-year EEG remuneration period, including conversion from electricity generation to biomethane upgrading and grid injection. The institute has developed and calculated concepts for more than 150 biogas plants for a future after the expiry of the German EEG remuneration, and currently supports around 30 biogas plants in their transition from electricity to biomethane production, some organised as biogas clusters. Its GHG balancing team calculates GHG balances for certification purposes for a large share of German biomethane plants. It has also supported approximately 30 projects for biogas processing and feeding biomethane into the natural gas grid. Since 1 January 2026, the institute has operated as a registered cooperative, following a decision by founder Dr. Frank Scholwin to transfer the long-standing organisation to employee management. Scholwin remains a member of the board and continues as a consultant. The cooperative has 12 dedicated employees. The institute is headquartered in Weimar, Germany, and serves clients primarily in the German market.

The Institute of Biogas, Waste Management and Energy (Germany), commonly known as the Institute for Biogas, Circular Economy & Energy (IBKE), is a Weimar-based organisation founded by Dr. Frank Scholwin. Over the years, it has built a reputation as a specialist consultancy and research institute in the biogas and renewable energy sector, with a focus on supporting plant operators through the German energy transition. A significant part of its work has involved helping biogas plants adapt to the end of the 20-year EEG remuneration period. The institute has developed and calculated concepts for more than 150 biogas plants for a future after the expiry of the German EEG remuneration. It has supported approximately 30 projects for biogas processing and feeding biomethane into the natural gas grid, and currently supports around 30 biogas plants in their transition from electricity to biomethane production, some organised as biogas clusters. Its GHG balancing team, expanded to three people, calculates GHG balances for certification purposes for a large share of German biomethane plants. In a multi-year process, Dr. Scholwin decided, in close cooperation with his employees, to transfer the long-standing institute to a company managed by the employees. Since 1 January 2026, the Institute for Biogas, Circular Economy and Energy is a registered cooperative. Frank Scholwin is a member of the board and remains with the company as a consultant. The cooperative has 12 dedicated employees. The institute continues to offer its services to existing and future customers.

• Start of GFAW Consulting Services project (funded by TMIL and ELER), providing holistic support to biogas plant operators.

• End of GFAW Consulting Services project.

• Launch of collaborative project „MuD BMA Lewitz“ to build a demonstration plant for horse manure fermentation and bio-LNG production.

• Institute becomes a registered cooperative, managed by employees.

• Public announcement of cooperative restructuring.

• Announcement that three biomethane plants supported by the institute went online at the end of 2026.

Specialist consultancy and research institute for biogas, biomethane, and circular economy, supporting plant operators through the German energy transition.

• Market & Feasibility Studies

  Studies assessing market conditions and feasibility for biogas and biomethane projects.

• Profitability Analysis

  Financial analysis of plant operations and optimization.

• GHG Balancing

  Calculation of greenhouse gas balances for certification purposes.

• Expert Opinions

  Expert opinions used in claims and legal disputes.

• Biogas / Biomethane GHG Reduction Consultation

  Consultation for improving GHG balance of biogas and biomethane operations.

• Plant Operators Support

  Support for all aspects of plant operation and marketing of biogas and biomethane.

• Energy Supply Consultation

  Consultation for industry, policy and consumers on energy supply.

1. 1Startseite - Institute for Biogasbiogasundenergie.de
2. 2GFAW Consulting Services - Institute for Biogasbiogasundenergie.de
3. 3IBKE is Now a Cooperative! - Institute for Biogasbiogasundenergie.de
4. 4Institute of Biogas, Waste Management and Energy (Germany) - Wikidatawikidata.org