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- ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS
The importance of biomethane for the energy transition
Biomethane comes from the transformation of biomass and offers new opportunities for a more sustainable energy model.
The words of energy
What is biomethane?
Biomethane is a renewable gas obtained by upgrading biogas produced through the breakdown of organic biomass. It has properties comparable to those of fossil methane, but is derived from materials already available locally, such as agricultural waste, food by-products and the organic fraction of waste. The key difference between biomethane and conventional methane lies in their origin: fossil methane is extracted from natural deposits, whereas biomethane is generated through biological processes that convert organic materials into energy.
How is biomethane produced
Biomethane production takes place in two stages. The first is anaerobic digestion, a process in which microorganisms convert biomass into biogas. The second is biogas upgrading, which produces a gas with a methane content comparable to that of natural gas. In addition, biomethane can be produced from different feedstocks:
biomethane from OFMSW is obtained from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste;
advanced biomethane is produced from agricultural residues and by-products not intended for food use. These supply chains enhance the value of existing materials and support the sustainable management of local areas.
The advantages of biomethane
Biomethane offers both environmental and economic benefits. Its biological origin results in a more balanced emissions profile than fossil fuels, as the CO₂ released comes from materials that have already absorbed it during their life cycle. The use of waste and residues reduces pressure on new resources and supports circular economy models. From an energy perspective, biomethane can be injected into the gas grid, used in transport or in industrial applications. Its characteristics allow it to be integrated into existing infrastructure, supporting the growth of the sector.
Disadvantages of biomethane
Biomethane requires efficient systems for the collection, treatment and upgrading of biomass. The availability of organic feedstock may vary over time and depends on the quality of collection processes. Production costs may also be higher than those of natural gas in the absence of large-scale plants. Environmental impacts are mainly related to emissions generated during biomass handling and processing stages. Appropriate technologies and targeted controls make it possible to keep these emissions within controlled limits.
The words of energy
A series explaining in simple terms the energy powering the world, covering natural gas, renewables, sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.
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