Gas produced by organic wastes from livestock and urban activities, a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels and it makes it possible to reduce Spain’s dependence on foreign energy. Something fundamental to facing the reduction of emissions necessary to halt climate change and It prevents the planet’s average temperature from rising above 1.5 degrees. As reflected in the data of ENAGAS, the operator of the gas system, presence in transport and distribution networks increased by 72% Between January and October. In total, a total of 140 GWh has been circulated through the grids so far this year, and this amount will continue to increase in line with the distribution of this gas from renewable sources.
In this sense, the revolution of renewable gases and especially biomethane, here. While Spain is not going as fast as it should due to its enormous potential for renewable gas production, the reality is that the presence of biomethane in the network is increasing stratospherically every year. According to the European Biogas Association, there are currently 992 biogas plants in Europe, with a growth of 17% in a single year. There are 12 biomethane plants currently operating in Spain.
Two properties of biomethane make it invaluable in advancing the decarbonization process. First of all, yesIt is obtained from the treatment of urban waste and the treatment of sewage wastewater, as well as from the waste of agriculture, livestock and agri-food industry. In other words, it contributes to the circular economy and its production is CO2 neutral. “Biogas has great potential to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and is also the only renewable energy that can be used for any of the major energy applications,” they say from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Conservation (IDAE). Biogas is the only renewable energy available for any of the major energy applications: as electricity, thermal or fuel.
Second, a renewable gas cin a quality that can be inserted into the gas system and consumed by any natural gas user without requiring any changes or in the gas infrastructure, nor in consumer devices. This means that it is fully interchangeable with natural gas and can be distributed through existing natural gas infrastructure and used in the same energy applications in homes, industries, businesses as well as in mobility. In other words, it can be injected into existing grids for domestic consumption through air conditioning systems, boilers or gaseous aerothermal solutions.
Therefore, the Government has approved the Biogas Roadmap, which defines the challenges and opportunities for the development of this renewable source gas, and It plans to increase its production by 3.8 times to exceed 10.4 TWh by 2030. Specifically, in two main ways: generating electricity and useful heat – especially for industry – and using it as a sustainable biofuel in mobility. for him, It plans to distribute 150 million euros in aid. This development in biogas will enable to reach 28% share of renewable energy in transportation by 2030, as well as prevent the release of approximately 2.1 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere per year.
There are currently 12 operating plants in Spain (after the accelerator hit in recent years, until recently there were only 2), to be added to this 160 biomethane projects managed by Nedgia, costing more than 6 TWh per year. And the number will not stop growing in the coming years. Trying to get closer to its European neighbours, as France has 306 and Germany 242 renewable gas plants Luckily, according to GASNAM data, the 2024 projections show the projected figure of 64 power plants on Spanish territory. 2,077 gigawatt hours per year (Gwh/year) compared to the current 162 GWh/year.
between himThe most outstanding plants in Spain There are the following used to generate energy such as municipal waste, pig slurry, wastewater or agri-food waste:
- Elena factory in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona)
This Naturgy biomethane plant is located next to the Elena landfill in Cerdanyola del Vallès and marked a milestone as it was the first renewable gas injection from a landfill into the Spanish gas distribution network in 2021. It produces 15 GWh of biomethane per year, preventing the release of 3,000 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere, equivalent to the annual consumption of 3,000 homes, equivalent to planting around 6,200 trees. Some of the biomethane is given to vehicles as fuel.
- Vila-Sana biomethane plant (Lleida)
Managed by Ecobiogás, the plant is located at the Porgaporcs farm in Vila-sana (Lleida) for energy use of nutrients from the pollutant slurry. It will begin injecting biomethane into the natural gas grid in 2023.
Edar Bens, a public company, is responsible for treating wastewater from the municipalities of La Coruña and with it feeds the Mixed Renewable Gas Unit to produce Biomethane. The initiative makes it possible to inject this renewable gas into the natural gas grid. It can produce 5 GWh/year of biomethane, equivalent to the annual consumption of 1,000 homes, and prevent the release of 1,000 tons of CO2/year into the atmosphere, equivalent to planting approximately 2,085 trees.
The biomethane plant of the UNUE project run by Biogasnalia is the first in Spain to inject biomethane from agri-food waste into the gas grid. It receives up to 90 tons of waste per day from various food and agri-food industries. It has the capacity to produce 25 GWh/year of biomethane, equivalent to the annual consumption of 5,000 homes, and to prevent the release of 5,000 tons of CO2/year into the atmosphere, equivalent to planting approximately 10,500 trees.
The process of producing biomethane Obtaining biogas after the decomposition of organic matter or anaerobic digestion as is known at the technical level. From then on, a purification process called ‘upgrading’ takes place, consisting of methane concentration and removal of unwanted gases to obtain a gas that meets the quality specification required by law. And it’s also completely renewable. In addition to all these, it enables us to reduce foreign dependency in energy as it is produced in synergy with the domestic and primary sector.
Like this, Biomethane stands as a perfectly viable option to set aside fossil fuels, a necessary step towards moving towards a carbon-neutral economy. In addition, the greenhouse effect is twice as much as it is not only a neutral energy, but also reduces emissions related to waste management. Being renewable, it can be used in infinite loops and allows the rural area to be re-evaluated.
Spain has a high potential for biogas and therefore biomethane production, especially thanks to agriculture and animal husbandry. According to a recent report by Sedigas, Spain has the potential to produce 137 TWh of biomethane per year. With this potential, more than 100% of domestic and commercial consumption or more than 60% of total natural gas consumption will be met as final energy. Added to this is the fact that the European Commission has identified the extensive existing gas infrastructure on Spanish territory as the main competitive advantage for the development of biogas compared to other types of technology in the energy transition.
for all this The expected increase in new biogas plants, and in particular biomethane, points the way towards decarbonisation of the Spanish economy. It is vital to achieving the goals of reducing CO2 emissions. The fact that no new infrastructures are needed, that it can meet the same natural gas uses without any change in technology, that it reduces foreign dependency on energy and allows rural areas to be revitalized, is nothing but arguments that increase reasons to bet on this renewable energy. gas.
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.