Renewable Natural Gas
Solving the Puzzle
Significant producers of fugitive methane emissions are coal mines, landfills, waste water treatment plants, and anaerobic digesters
Concentrations range from 15-90% methane mixed with contaminants, meaning the gas can typically only be used for heat or power generation
Methane emissions are under scrutiny globally
Given that methane has a global warming potential of at least 25 times that of CO2
Renewable Natural Gas has lower carbon intensity
Upgraded gas from capturing fugitive methane emissions has lower carbon intensity compared to fossil fuel natural gas, and projects have the potential to participate in carbon credit schemes
Upgrading methane emissions allows for sale at a premium price
Upgrading the gas streams to produce Renewable Natural Gas (95%+ methane) allows for use as pipeline natural gas, transportation, or generating hydrogen
Carbon Intensity of RNG
Comparing the carbon intensity of different sources of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) shows that RNG has lower carbon intensity than traditional fossil fuels. These values are full life-cycle analysis values in a transport setting based on research by the California Air Resources Board.
The bar at the bottom of the plot demonstrates how significant the benefit is for capturing fugitive methane emissions. Values are based on factors from Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator and represents a raw value without any life-cycle analysis adjustments.
Rapid Market Growth
With interest in decarbonisation and clean energy products rapidly expanding globally, the investment in RNG / biomethane production is growing exponentially, with some estimates placing the contestable market for biogas upgrading and specialist services at over $10 billion.