Biomethane Injection into the Grid: a Great European Opportunity

Biomethane presents a great new opportunity for Europe in terms of a low cost, eco-friendly form of energy, and the market for this product is growing rapidly.

Biomethane comes from an upgrading process from biogas, and it has compatible characteristics (and same benefits) with natural gas. According to the new regulating framework, biomethane can now be added to the Natural Gas networks through specifically designed injection skids.

A biomethane injection skid is composed of different sections that include many devices and instrumentation: Gas Analysis, Pressure Reducing and Metering, Odorant Injection and Control System. It is critical that the all devices are able to work together seamlessly to guarantee the quality of the gas produced and that the system meets the operating challenges.

Some of these challenges are relevant to size. Injection stations are typically pre-fabricated modules, so size and footprint have to be minimized to allow an easy transportation to the site.

They also must comply with very stringent regulations and standards, which are different in all the European countries.

Finally, the system must deliver continued reliable, efficient and safe operations, and ensure there is lifecycle support for all plant assets.

New regulations within many European countries not only enable biomethane to be added to the Natural Gas networks, but incentives are available to increase the amount of biomethane added to the grid.

In Italy, the Government funded incentives for 4.7 B€ (for period 2018-2022) to support this initiative. In France, 6 M€ have been invested in 2018 only for biomethane stations, to support GRDF’s goal of having 10% of the total gas consumption coming from renewable energies such as biomethane.

What is your perspective on this, and what is happening in your country?