Project description
Dissolving the barriers to biomethane introduction to gas networks and vehicles
Renewable gases, such as biomethane, are deemed a great alternative energy source for a low-carbon future. CEN Technical Committee 408 has developed specifications for biomethane (EN16723-1 for injection into natural gas grids and EN16723-2 for transport fuel), but the cited test methods are not harmonised and validated. The EU-funded BIOSTAR2C project aims to remove the barriers that impede biomethane introduction into gas networks and vehicles. Project work will help ensure that biomethane injection costs are optimised and will increase confidence in investing in biomethane production and injection. Project activities will be in line with the Biomethane Industrial Partnership’s target to increase annual production and use of biomethane to 35 billion cubic metres by 2030.
Objective
This project marks the completion (Phase 2c) of a programme of work delivered in support of CEN and Technical Committee CEN/TC408 initiated by DG Ener, aimed at revision of the standards for and therefore removal of barriers to introduction of biomethane into gas networks and vehicles.
By ensuring that the appropriate standards are fit for purpose at time of revision, the work will ensure that costs of biomethane injection are optimized, and there are no undue burdens on producers. This work is expected to enable growth of the biomethane industry and confidence that investments can be made in biomethane production and injection. It will therefore help to ensure the removal of barriers to achieving the RePowerEU target of 35BCM of biomethane by 2030 by aligning needs of producers, transporters and end users.
The programme is therefore highly relevant in advancing regulatory work for greening the gas grid under the Green Deal. It is also relevant for implementing RED II with maximum impact.
In cooperation with CEN TC 408, its stakeholder community and DG Energy, GERG has developed and has been delivering a workprogramme to address the removal of barriers identified which will enable standardization:
Phase 1 - funded by GERG members to identify barriers
SA/CEN/RESEARCH/475/2017-07 (2018-2019) – Phase 2a - experimental work on siloxanes, and a literature study on impacts of sulfur, impacts of oxygen, particularly related to underground storage and corrosion, and health impacts.
SA/CEN/RESEARCH/475/2019-09 (2020-2022, Phase 2b, ongoing) – continued experimental work on siloxanes, commencement of experimental campaign on sulphur, and on oxygen impacts. Improving specific knowledge on biomethane at the European level, particularly in relation to impact of feedstocks,
The project proposed here (2022-2024, Phase 2c) - Completion of the experimental and literature campaigns begun in Phase 2b to support the delivery by CEN TC 408 and update of the standards.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium