Francisco Torres Calvo, head of New Business Development at Nedgia, analyzes the current energy situation regarding the use and implementation of renewable gases in Spain.
Given the unfavorable context in which Europe is immersed and the consequent worsening of the energy crisis, there is no doubt that there is an urgent need to find immediate, feasible and objective solutions to mitigate this situation as soon as possible. However, although the geopolitical environment may be complex and difficult to predict, there are reasons why we can expect that the energy crisis portends a more encouraging near future.
Currently, experts point out that electrification, through renewable energies (such as wind and solar) will not be enough to cover the total energy demand of our society, making it necessary to also decarbonize the gas sector, implementing measures to maximize the use of other clean energies such as renewable gas. In this sense, gas networks are the short-term response to the emergency and a long-term solution to meet the objectives of the European green deal.
It must be taken into account in the energy panorama that 50% more energy is transported through gas infrastructure than through electrical infrastructure, so in the same way that renewable electricity generation is being promoted, it is necessary to promote the generation of renewable gas such as biomethane or green hydrogen. With the use of these renewable gases, we could save more than 500 million tons of CO2 emissions per year across Europe.
Renewable gas, a reality today
Renewable gas and specifically biomethane is a determining factor in the decarbonization process of the energy sector. This green gas is completely interchangeable with natural gas, so it can be distributed through the existing gas infrastructure and used with the same energy applications in homes, industries, businesses and also for transportation and mobility.
The origin of biomethane is biogas, which is generated through the degradation processes of organic matter (urban, agricultural, livestock or forestry waste, wastewater, etc.) which, once treated in a process called upgrade, is made compatible with natural gas (biomethane), being neutral in CO2 emissions. It is a sustainable and economically competitive option to promote a decarbonized energy system and thus fight climate change.
Biomethane is therefore a valuable key energy resource in Net Zero 2050 that also promotes the circular economy. In fact, it is not only an energy of the future, but a reality of the present in many European countries, including ours. In 2019, gas of renewable origin was injected into the gas distribution network for the first time in Spain and at the moment (March 2022) we have five projects in Spain injecting biomethane into the gas system.
A positive future with renewable gas
The progressive implementation of renewable gas in our networks will bring multiple benefits for our country:
En First, will contribute to the reduction of emissions and its strategy to meet the environmental objectives proposed by Europe in 2030, since renewable gas comes from renewable sources and has neutral CO2 emissions. Biomethane is not only capable of reducing emissions of energy origin but is the only energy capable of reducing GHGs of non-energy origin (such as that generated in waste management).
En second place, is a clear example of a circular economy: from waste to resource. With renewable gas we can heat our homes, use it in industrial processes or move around the city sustainably. Ultimately, all sectors of the economy connected to the gas system will be able to benefit from this green energy.
En third place, renewable gas is the most versatile energy there is. It solves the problem of non-simultaneity of production and demand that the rest of the renewable energies have, since biomethane (the highest exponent of renewable gas) can be injected and stored in the existing gas infrastructure.
In this sense, it should be noted that it is not necessary to make transformation investments (either public or private) either in the current gas network infrastructure that we have or in the users' consumption equipment.
Renewable gas, economy and energy independence
Other advantages that renewable gas generates on the territory is the security of supply. As it is an energy produced locally, it replaces that which is imported, thereby reduces energy dependence on the outside.
Likewise, it is also positive for the territory's agriculture. In the biomethane generation process, a product called digestate which can be used as fertilizer for the field, thus reducing the use of chemical fertilizers (we once again put on the table the concept of circular economy, from waste to resource). And not only that, on an economic level, the promotion of renewable gas also contributes to the development of the territory and the creation of local employment in agricultural and livestock environments for the development of projects.
Finally, renewable gas is a great ally in relation to other environmental solutions, such as the management of waste such as rice straw or olive residue, which can be a source of energy. In this way, economic synergies are generated with the powerful agri-food industry.
Francisco Torres Calvo
Head of New Business Development at Nedgia
