5 things you should know about biogas and biomethane

Biogases play an important role in the transition to clean energy. They are produced domestically, unlike natural gas, which is a fossil fuel that the EU mostly imports. Biogases are part of the solution to break the EU's dependency on imported Russian fossil fuels against the backdrop of its war in Ukraine.

The EU plans to step up biogas and biomethane production. In 2023, in the EU, 6% of natural gas was replaced with 16 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of biogases.

Despite their benefits for the climate and our energy security, biogas and biomethane are still subject to persistent myths and misunderstandings. Here are 5 key things you should know.

1. Producing biogas is safe

Biogas or biomethane generated from 'no-oxygen' bacteria, or 'anaerobic digestion', does not harm human health when produced in safe and well-regulated environments.

Anaerobic digestion has been happening naturally for billions of years in swamps and marshes - and for thousands of years in cows' stomachs! You might remember from school biology lessons that organic matter decomposes thanks to bacteria. Some of these are special bacteria that only live in places without oxygen like swamps, deep lakes, landfills or animals' intestines. With the help of microbes, they produce biogas while eating and breaking down the waste.

By observing nature, scientists were able to recreate this process in controlled conditions (with specific temperatures, mix of feedstock and feeding times) and under constant monitoring. Biogas is produced in strong, secure, fortress-like, structures to make sure bacteria stay safe in the oxygen-free environment.

Biogas systems can actually help manage pathogens in organic waste and manure. According to the European Food Safety Authority, standard biogas processing effectively eliminates most heat-sensitive bacteria, viruses and parasites in waste and animal by-products, improving sanitation and safety, compared to fresh manure.

2. Being close to biogas plants can bring benefits to local communities

Biogas plants can be a friendly neighbour, thanks to modern technology, design and operation.

Well-managed biogas projects help to improve the environment, local economy and quality of life. In the coastal region of Køge Bay, Denmark, for example, biogas production from pig slurry, pulp and algae has helped clean the bay by reducing an overload of nutrients and organic matter (eutrophication).

The result: better water quality, recreational areas restored, increased property values, improved quality of life. The recirculated nutrients benefit the organic sector by delivering sustainable fertilizers compliant with strict regulations on organic produce.

Concerns like smell, noise or emissions of and methane and ammonia can be mitigated effectively, for instance by covering feedstock storage or using air filtration systems. In fact, biogas production offers positivebenefits for communities, as opposed to conventional waste or manure management. For example, digesting manure in closed systems helps reduce odour and methane and ammonia emissions that would otherwise occur in open storage. It also reduces contamination of groundwater and nutrient run-off.

3. Biogas and biomethane have strong climate benefits

Manure, landfill and decomposing organic waste release methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2! Instead of letting methane escape into the air, biogas plants collect it through controlled and sealed anaerobic digestion, producing biogas.

As such, it plays a vital role in meeting the EU's clean energy and climate targets as it offers cleaner, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, especially fossil gas. By-products of anaerobic digestion can even be used as a biofertilizer to enrich soil.

As bacteria break down the organic matter, they produce renewable, home-made biogas. This can then be used as energy to cook food, heat homes, produce electricity, and even as a fuel for cars, trucks and ships. As such, it helps to decarbonise hard-to-electrify sectors, like heavy industry and transport, while promoting a more circular economy.

In some cases, biogas and biomethane can even deliver negative emissions. When produced from manure, sewage sludge, or food waste, the process captures the methane and CO₂ that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

4. Biogas is a source of vital nutrients

The production of biogas and biomethane generates useful, sustainable, homegrown, by-products like digestate, biogenic CO₂, and biochar.

Digestate is the organic residue from anaerobic digestion. It is rich in nutrients like phosphorus - a critical raw material for the EU. It contains nitrogen and potash, which the EU has to otherwise import. It can be used to enrich soil, or made into biofertiliser, providing a cleaner alternative to synthetic fertilisers, if properly applied in farming. This not only supports sustainable farming but also generates extra income for biogas producers.

Biogenic CO2 is a purified form of CO2 separated from the biomethane gas. It can be captured, stored and used as in various applications like as boosting agent for plants in greenhouses, biochemical production, water treatment, and the food and beverage sector.

Biochar can improve soil health and breaks down feedstock. It also serves as a land-based option for carbon removal as it locks carbon into the ground for the long term.

5. Producing biogases supports a strong and secure energy sector

Biomethane is a homegrown, secure energy source and is cleaner and more affordable compared to fossil fuels.

Biogas and biomethane use established technologies where the EU excels globally. Europe has developed efficient production systems that create local jobs and boost technological autonomy.

Unlike renewable energy sources that rely on the weather, biomethane offers a source of stable, on-demand supply of renewable electricity. It can help balance the electricity grid while providing clean energy for households, industry, and transport.

Biomethane, as a molecule, can replace fossil gas across different industries as a basic chemical.

More on biogas and biomethane

Types of biogas plants

No-oxygen environments can be recreated at large scale - in a biogas plant where special closed tanks (known as digestors or fermentors) are used. They are usually built where the waste or feedstock is abundant. are mainly four types of biogas production plants:

• Farm-based plants: use manure, agricultural waste and residues, energy crops or other plant matter to produce biogas on-site.
• Food & beverage and paper & pulp industry plants: use their own waste and residues to produce biogas on-site, mostly for own use.
• City plants: use sewage sludge, landfill gas, and collected food waste.
• Industrial plants: produce biogas from waste from supermarkets and the catering sector, or other locally available feedstock.

From biogas to biomethane

If we remove carbon dioxide from biogas, it becomes biomethane: a renewable gas. Biomethane can go directly into the gas grid or be used as a clean fuel. The cleaning process also captures biogenic CO2, which can replace fossil CO2 in many processes or be removed permanently from the greenhouse gas emission cycle.

Conclusion

Biogas and biomethane are increasingly recognised as valuable for advancing the clean energy transition. Renewable, domestically produced gases can help reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, and contribute to a more circular and resource-efficient economy, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors like hard to abate industries and transport.

When produced and managed according to high environmental and safety standards, biogas systems are safe and bring wider benefits to communities, including improved waste management, reduced emissions and generation of valuable by-products for agriculture and industry. At the same time, outcomes vary depending on how a plant is designed, the type and mix of feedstock used, and operational processes to produce biogas, making the use of best practices essential.

While biogas and biomethane are not a stand-alone solution for a fully decarbonised economy, they offer flexible, scalable contributions to the EU's climate and energy objectives. Their continued development, supported by sound policy and innovation, can play an important role in building a more resilient and sustainable energy system in the EU.

List of references

https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-246329?subtitles=EN

Biomethane - European Commission

Study by the European Food Safety Authority

2022_12_12-IEA_Bioenergy_position-paper_Final2.pdf

20200419-Background-paper_final.pdf

22 bcm of biogases were produced in Europe in 2023,according to a new report released today | European Biogas Association

Coastal biogas to mitigate eutrophication and clean the coastline | Baltic Smart Water Hub

An introduction to biogas and biomethane - Outlook for biogas and biomethane: Prospects for organic growth - Analysis - IEA

D1.2 GREENMEUP

Results - GreenMeUP

Biogas-in-your-local-community.pdf

Risk of using dead-in-shell chicks for the production of biogas or compost | EFSA

Inactivation of indicator microorganisms and biological hazards by standard and/or alternative processing methods in Category 2 and 3 animal by‐products and derived products to be used as organic fertilisers and/or soil improvers);Risk of using dead-in-shell chicks for the production of biogas or compost | EFSA.

White Research's contributions at EUBCE 2024: Advancing Biogas Acceptance and Awareness - ALFA Project