Main messages and conclusions

19 October, 2015

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4966″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5029″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4962″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We´re all dependent on transport. Having this said, biomethane and natural gas are very good alternatives to manage transport needs and also handling external emissions and climate change. The workshop gave the audience a good overview on the biomethane industry in Europe, as well as the increasing market of CNG vehicles.

Several of the speakers stated that it is clear that biomethane gives many benefits to the society, such as clean fuel for city buses and cars, organic fertilizer, improved air quality and jobs and growth. Biogas and biomethane is a tool to build a sustainable society, as within circular economy. Waste becomes a resource and drives new business possibilities. Nevertheless, the single business case is hard for a company to handle. The EU and their member states cannot expect the transition to biomethane to happen if the industry needs to compete on the same terms as fossil fuels. The extra cost to receive the total benefit of biomethane needs to be covered by the society. All speakers highlighted the necessity of instruments and policies to integrate biomethane into the renewable energy share.

The transition from oil to natural gas is important to the EU Commission, but Antonio Tricas from DG Move stated that this transition must include biomethane with a reasonable share. The potential of biomethane is nearly 10% of the total needs for the transport sector. It is thus clear that biogas, biomethane and natural gas need to co-exit if we want to create a viable market for CNG vehicles.

There are many successful biogas and biomethane projects in Europe. We got examples of biomethane production, digestate business including algae treatment, grid injection and waste separation. The examples this day came from Uppsala and Skellefteå in Sweden, Vaasa in Finland, Valmiera City in Latvia, Gas Networks in Ireland, Miskolc City in Hungary, Lille in France, Vienna in Austria and Ljubljana in Slovenia. We also learnt that the biogas and biomethane interest varies between the member states.

The success factors for these examples are collaboration, a holistic view of the system and brave and consistent politicians. The barriers to get a growing market all over Europe are rather expensive production costs compared to the market price for fossil fuels, lack of consistent policies and lack of knowledge of biomethane possibilities at local and regional level.  About 90 people from 13 countries participated.

All presentations can be found here! 

 

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