Biogas: A significant contribution to decarbonising gas markets?

With a current focus on the need to decarbonise the energy system, and increasing interest in decarbonising the gas industry[1], this short paper provides an overview of the current status and considers the potential for further growth in the production and use of biogas and biomethane. It focuses on key countries in Europe, which have been leading the way in commercial scale production, and touches briefly on the potential in the rest of the world. The paper includes a short overview of the feedstocks and technologies involved, an assessment of the potential supply growth, a review of the economics and comparison with alternative approaches towards decarbonising the energy system, and a consideration of the impact of government policy on the rate of growth of the industry.

[1] Stern 2017: The Future of Gas in Decarbonising European Energy Markets

By: Martin Lambert