Government Proposal Boosts Sustainable Green Gas

The Department of Transport’s proposal to incentivise ‘development’ transport fuels through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation has today been welcomed by the Green Gas Certification Scheme.

One of these fuels is biomethane, a renewable green gas produced from biomass and wastes which can either be injected to the gas grid or shipped to the point of use.

Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of the Green Gas Certification Scheme, commented:

“Currently most biomethane is injected into the gas distribution network. It can then be taken out, where needed, and used for various purposes, including for transport. It makes an excellent, clean vehicle fuel, bringing benefits in terms of decarbonisation, reduced particulate emissions and lower noise levels.

Injecting the gas directly into the grid at source is more reliable than taking it to the point of use by other means

“Injecting the gas directly into the grid at source is more reliable than taking it to the point of use by other means. The Green Gas Certification Scheme tracks biomethane injected into the grid in one location to where it is taken out and used in another. This tracking ensures that each unit of gas taken out of the grid matches exactly a unit of gas injected and ensures that there can be no duplication or double counting. The scheme can also be used to perform this role for other non-biological renewable fuels such as hydrogen.”

John Baldwin, Chair of the Renewable Energy Association’s Biogas Group said:

“The UK has a tremendous asset in its gas network, and it can be progressively decarbonised through measures such as steadily increasing the share of renewable gas.

“While the proposed changes are a positive step we would like to see more ambition. There is an urgent need decarbonise our heavy trucks fleet and the use of biomethane and Bio-SNG delivered via the gas grid are viable ways to do so.”