From transition fuel to a fuel in transition
Developing a renewable gas sector can help to provide additional sustainable energy solutions for many commercial and industrial sectors as well as hard to abate businesses and properties into the future. Renewable gas, like biomethane, can be used in existing infrastructure, appliances, equipment and industrial processes, helping to improve energy transition efficiencies, reduce costs and disruption, while continuing to offer choice.
Renewable Gas...
Part of the big picture
Millions of Australian households and businesses rely on gas for cooking, heating, and hot water. Manufacturing sectors also depend on gas for high-heat and firming processes, and will do for years to come. Renewable gas could be the solution to help industries and hard-to-abate properties and businesses to decarbonise efficiently. As the energy landscape evolves, gas itself is also changing, with renewable gases like biomethane being developed as part of the future energy mix. Creating more sustainable energy solutions, not less, is the key to success.
Renewable Gas is here. Now.
Renewable gas is being used with great success overseas. Many countries are already using renewable gas to provide sustainable, reliable solutions as part of their energy mix.
Germany
In Germany, there are around 10,000 biogas plants which power 9.5 million houses. The industry provides 50,000 people with sustainable jobs and a sales volume of $13 billion Euros a year.
*Source: German Biogas Association
China
China is the world’s biggest user and producer of hydrogen. It’s now scaling up its renewable hydrogen production to decarbonise its steel and chemical industries. China is building the world’s largest hydrogen project. It’s expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1.43 million tonnes per year - that’s equivalent to planting 825,000 trees.
*Source: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
Denmark
In Denmark, biomethane now makes up around 40 per cent of the gas network supply, and Energinet, the Danish network operator, estimates they will reach 100 per cent biomethane by 2030-2034.
*Source: European Biogas Association Dec 2023
United States
The U.S. has more than 2,300 biogas production facilities, including 475 farms, over 1200 wastewater treatment facilities, 97 systems that digest food scraps and 538 landfill gas sites. More than 173 renewable gas projects across 31 states are now injecting into gas networks according to the US EPA.
*Source: American Biogas Council
France
New government targets in France mean that renewable gas will constitute 10% of total gas consumption by 2030, providing a strong incentive for the development of their already growing biomethane sector. The French Environment and Energy Management Agency estimates biomethane will account for 56% of France's gas distribution by 2050.
*Source: European Biogas
UK
UK gas companies are blending up to 20% green hydrogen into natural gas pipe networks to some residential and industrial customers, and trialling 100% green hydrogen in selected areas, like the H100 Fife project.
The UK government has also introduced the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) that provides incentives for biomethane production and grid injection.
*Source: SGN UK
Two main types of Renewable Gas
Biomethane is made by capturing biogas from decomposing organic waste, like food waste, agri-waste and wastewater. The biomethane production process reduces waste to landfill, and can help us to lower emissions one flush at a time! But don’t worry, it smells and looks the same as the gas you use now.
Renewable hydrogen can be produced when renewable electricity, or certified renewable electricity, is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called 'electrolysis'. The only outputs from hydrogen, when used for energy, are heat and water vapours.
Exploring the opportunities of a Renewable Gas industry
Renewable Gas could create new jobs and training opportunities provide additional opportunities for regional economies and industries.
Utilises existing infrastructure which may help to reduce costs and time compared to building new networks.
Renewable Gas could provide more options for industry and transport sectors as they explore lower-emission energy sources.
News & Research
ISC Case Study on Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant: A new approach to circular resource management and energy generation in Australia
GCE embarks on biogas plant initiative to transform agricultural waste into biomethane
Jemena and Valorify MOU to produce Biomethane from waste
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