Adding gas from biomass to the gas grid - SGC

converted to a methane rich gas. After the conversion, the gas can be upgraded with the sameprocesses as gas from anaerobic digestion. All of the required sub-processes of converting syngasto pipeline quality gas are well established, but the entire process has not yet been demonstrated.Demonstration of this concept is required to pave the way for a future development towards itsutilisation.The profitability of biogas introduction into the natural gas grid depends on a large number ofparameters like: operating costs and investment of the upgrading plant; the added value (sellingprice) of the upgraded gas; taxation policy; subsidies; and alternative options for utilisation of thebiogas (boiler, CHP, use in separate gas networks etc.). The possible lack of an economic incentivemight be one of the major roadblocks for a substantial utilisation of biogas introduction into thenatural gas grid, since alternative options for utilisation in many cases will be more profitable.Taxation and subsidisation are possible tools to promote biogas introduction into the natural gasgrid.Reluctance from gas customers against gas originating from e.g. landfills, sewage or manure is apotential roadblock for adding upgraded gas to natural gas grids. The reluctance can be based ontechnical or emotional arguments from e.g. private consumers using the gas in stoves, or industrialclients using the gas for e.g. food production.Biogas introduction into the natural gas grid requires that the biogas production is located near agas pipeline. Transportation of the feedstock, of which the biogas is produced, over large distancesis not suitable for economic and environmental reasons. A major share of the potential biogasproduction is based on manure and waste products from the agricultural industry. Due to the natureof this industry, the biogas production is often located in sparsely populated areas, which meansthat introduction of biogas from these sources in significant volumes requires a widely distributednatural gas grid, which is not present in all European countries.Even in cases where biogas introduction into the natural gas grid will the best option of utilisation forthe biogas plant, the incentive of the owner/operator of the natural gas grid might not be present.Missing regulation and legislation of access rights, transparent methods to calculate the networkoperator’s costs etc. can also inhibit biogas introduction in some cases.In order to promote investments in biogas upgrading plants there is a need to establish clearguidelines and regulations for the rights and obligations for the involved organisations, including theowners of the upgrading plants, grid owners, customers (who buy the upgraded gas) etc. Thesemeasures are seen as parallel to the similar regulation for introduction of ‘green’ electricity to thepower grid.page: 77