Biomethane: a local, green and quick-fit solution
What is biomethane?
Biomethane is a combustible and renewable gas produced from biogas. As the world seeks to diversify energy supply and find more sustainable fuel sources, biomethane emerges as a key element in the energy transition and the decarbonisation of industry and society.
Derived from organic waste such as manure, food scraps, and damaged crops, biomethane not only provides a renewable energy source but also contributes to effective waste management. By converting waste into valuable energy, biomethane helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports a circular economy.
The production of biomethane involves the anaerobic digestion of organic materials, resulting in a high-quality gas. This process not only mitigates the environmental impact of waste but also offers a sustainable alternative to conventional natural gas.
Embracing biomethane is a step towards a greener future, where energy needs are met with renewable resources, and waste is transformed into a valuable asset.
What is biomass?
Biomass is the source material from which biomethane is eventually derived. It includes a variety of organic materials like wood, agricultural crops, waste materials, and even algae. Biomass can be converted into biogas through a conversion process called anaerobic digestion.
Biogas: A renewable energy source
Biogas is produced by converting biomass in an anaerobic digester, where microorganisms break down organic matter, producing a blend of gases and digestate, a natural fertiliser. This process yields a raw renewable gas that can be upgraded to biomethane, which is chemically identical to natural gas. This allows us to utilise existing distribution and transportation networks, replacing natural gas in all its end-uses.
Refining biogas to biomethane
Biomethane is produced from biogas, which contains impurities like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Converting biogas to biomethane involves removing these impurities, resulting in a high-quality, renewable gas that can be used as a substitute for natural gas. This allows the biomethane to be transported through the existing gas infrastructure network.
Market growth
The biogas industry is rapidly growing, with significant production increases across Europe. In 2023, Europe produced 22 billion cubic meters (bcm) of biogases, equivalent to the gas consumption of Belgium, Denmark, and Ireland combined. This growth is driven by the establishment of new biomethane plants, particularly those utilizing sustainable feedstocks such as agricultural residues and organic municipal solid waste.
In Belgium the production of biomethane is getting off the ground. Eight biomethane units are currently operational and about 20 projects are in various stages of research, development or construction. The LNG terminal in Zeebrugge makes bio-LNG available for the market.
First biomethane facility directly connected to our network in 2024
Until recently, Belgium’s various smaller biomethane units had all been connected to distribution systems. Large-scale facilities can connect to Fluxys Belgium’s high-pressure network.
Since 2008, Green Logix has been transforming potato waste from the nearby Farm Frites factory into green electricity, steam, purified water, bio-fertilizers and more recently, biogas. In 2024, the first molecules of biomethane from Green Logix Biogas in Lommel were injected directly into the Fluxys transmission network, marking a first for Belgium.
Innovative approach in research
Fluxys is working with the distribution system operators and CREG on an innovative approach for connecting biomethane facilities. The aim is to connect multiple producers to low-pressure clusters of the distribution system operators. Fluxys will then carry out common recompression from low to high pressure, allowing biomethane to automatically flow into the Fluxys Belgium network. This will result in lower investment costs for individual producers.
Future prospects
The potential for biomethane production in Europe is substantial, with projections indicating that by 2040, biomethane could supply 85% of the reduced gaseous fuels demand. This transition towards sustainable feedstocks and increased production capacity will significantly contribute to the EU's energy independence and climate goals. Biogases represent a key component of the future energy mix, offering a sustainable, reliable, and economically beneficial solution to Europe's energy and environmental challenges, leveraging the existing pan-European gas infrastructure network without additional cost. By investing in biogas technologies, we can drive forward a cleaner, greener future for all.
In Belgium, the potential for biomethane injectable into gas networks could be up to 15.6 TWh, which represents ~10% of current Belgian gas consumption. The production of biomethane is steadily rising, with several plants and connections in planning.
Greater demand for bio-LNG at Zeebrugge terminal
Fluxys LNG has offered a biomethane liquefaction service since 2020. This allows terminal users to have biomethane converted into bio-LNG. This liquefaction service promotes the development of the biomethane market by making biofuels accessible to the heavy transport sector.
Registrations for this liquefaction service have fluctuated sharply since its launch in 2021. They rose significantly from 136 GWh/year in 2021 to 348 GWh/year in 2022 before dropping to 169 GWh/year in 2023. In 2024, demand rose sharply again to 1,448 GWh, more than eight times the 2023 total.
This increase is mainly due to greater demand from the German market, where a court ruled that bio-LNG of foreign origin is eligible for biofuel quotas. This led several shippers supplying the German biofuel market to Zeebrugge.
The use of bio-LNG for ship bunkering also began in 2024 and is expected to grow further due to the upcoming maritime fuel obligations in the EU.
Fluxys LNG is certified as a processing unit under the ISCC framework, a European Union certification scheme.