Europe's Pipes Prepare for Biomethane

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) and the European Biogas Association (EBA) have published what they say is the first ever map of all known biomethane installations in Europe, they said February 13.

The ‘European Biomethane Map 2018’ locates and lists all known 500 biomethane installations, using up-to-date information gathered from national biogas associations, energy agencies and companies.

They said that the map "provides specific details about each biomethane plant, including their connection to the gas grid, feed-in capacity, main substrate used, upgrading process and date of start of operation. Cross-border interconnection points and pipelines are also indicated.  Furthermore, the map brings additional data about the European biomethane market evolution, distribution of plants in European countries, and forecasts of natural gas and biomethane indigenous production in Europe until 2037."

The EBA said the upward trend in biomethane installations merited what could be the first of a "long series" of such maps, bearing in mind the "huge development of the biomethane sector expected in the coming years." 

GIE said it was "convinced that the European gas grids are ready to ensure that biomethane is transported and injected locally and used globally."

The new map itself can be accessed, by clicking here.

A number of distribution networks around Europe already receive small quantities of biomethane, a by-product of anaerobic digestion, as the requirement rises to shrink the carbon footprint of energy. In the UK, for example, CNG Services offers clients a free service using satellite and other mapping technology to determine if there are gas pipelines – and if so their nearest connection point and pressure – in their area of interest. CSL also offers a dedicated shipper to handle the network nominations on the plant operator's behalf.