Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Natural Gas
First cellulosic biomethane station to be opened in Austria
Salzburg AG, an Austrian energy company, is opening next month in Eugendorf its first cellulosic biomethane gas station, although the blend on sale will be 80 percent of regular natural gas and 20 percent of methane obtained from renewable resources. The opening of the fuelling station will also include a new pipeline that will feed it to the city's natural gas grid.
This biomethane is obtained from fermenting smooth meadow-grass (Poa pratensis, known in the US as Kentucky bluegrass), which is common in Austria's grasslands. The company states that this type of grass grows well and needs little care while conserving the landscape. These factors reduce pollution from farming as well as transport.
According to Salzburg AG, an acre of this crop (when used in this natural gas blend) can power a car from 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Future plans will increase the biomethane blend up to 80 percent.
[Source: Salzburg AG via NGV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 12:27PM (12/09/2007)
There's really nothing magic about the "cellulosic" part here, anaerobic digesters can be configures to produce biogas from any feedstock with at least 50% water content, except wood.
Biogas does need to be scrubbed of sulfur and CO2 before it may be fed into the distribution grid. The scrubbing equipment (wet amine wash) relies on cycling compounds that are toxic and/or corrisive and is also fairly capital-intensive to build. However, at oil prices close to $100/barrel, this is worth doing. The indigestible residue is a valuable fertilizer.
Blending is done (a) to keep a lid on total cost, (b) to respect long-term purchasing agreements for Russian natural gas and (c), to keep the properties of the gas within the required tolerances. Raising the biomethane fraction to 80% may be possible in Salzburg but not throughout Austria.
Certain provinces and gas suppliers do offer subsidies of up to EUR 1500 at the time of purchase. In addition, Austria is changing its vehicle license fee system to one based on CO2 emissions to comply with an EU directive.
Austria currently taxes all natural gas used for transportation, including biomethane, at EUR 0.06/m^3 (~EUR 0.075/kg). This compares very favorably with taxes on gasoline at EUR 0.417/L (~EUR 0.56/kg), making CNG fuel 30-50% cheaper per km driven. However, unlike Germany, the Austrian finance ministry has not committed to preserving this preferential treatment for the foreseeable future. This has hindered sales of CNG vehicles and, the development of an attractive CNG distribution network.
Below a list of factory-option CNG vehicles available in Austria right now. Note that the power data appears to refer to the gasoline version. Unless the NG is directly injected or a super- or turbocharger is added, the CNG version usually delivers ~10% less power. In addition, the expensive CNG tanks are typically installed in addition to a (small) gasoline tank, adding considerable weight on the rear axle (bad for handling if FWD). CNG is therefore currently attractive primarily for businesses and individuals that rack up a lot of miles each year.
http://www.salzburg-ag.at/fileadmin/user_upload/energie/Erdgas/ErdgasDrive/ED_Modelle0807.pdf
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Dad 1:24PM (12/09/2007)
"This biomethane is obtained from fermenting smooth meadow-grass (Poa pratensis, known in the US as Kentucky bluegrass), which is common in Austria's grasslands. "
Failing to return the grass to the land will cause long term problems. Another solution that casues long term problems.
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rgseidl 3:52PM (12/09/2007)
"Returning the grass"???
(A) the residue left over after anaerobic digestion contains all of the input elements except most most of the carbon and hydrogen. Plants obtain those from the air and water. The residue is therefore a natural fertilizer and used as such in every biogas project I'm aware of. Back on the field is pretty much the only place you can put it.
(B) Seeds for this grass variety are readily available. Besides, if you manage soil moisture and keep pests at bay, you can mow quite a few times before you actually kill a patch of grass. Note that biogas is not really picky about its feedstock unless it contains lignin, so farmers could decide in favor of a natural ecosystem and against a monoculture enforced with weedkillers and pesticides. Yields might be slightly down but so would costs.
(C) To boost revenue, farmers can plant e.g. heirloom variety apple orchards in their meadows. That reduces topsoil erosion on inclines and returns the landscape to its original state.
Bottom line: of all the biofuels that can economically be produced at industrial scales, biogas is in fact by far the most renewable. The cost issues associated with scrubbing are manageable given high enough oil prices. Distribution can leverage the existing natural gas network, which is extensive in Europe. Gas compressors and on-board storage represent capital investment but not a fundamental technological hurdle.
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Dad 7:14PM (12/09/2007)
"Back on the field is pretty much the only place you can put it."
How much "fuel" will be required to return this used biomass back the place of origin? Will it even be returned (doubtful)? The cost of spreading it back on the palce of origin will be very "$" and in terms of CO2 production, in conflict with the goal of reducing energy use.
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Chris M 12:27AM (12/10/2007)
"Dad". of course it will be returned, and since the volume and mass will be greatly reduced, the energy needed for transport is minimal.
In many locales, the grass would be run through a cow or horse first, then used in a methane digester. With the rise in price and demand for natural gas, natural biogas projects are booming. Here in California, Pacific Gas & Electric is signing contracts with several dairy farms and feedlots to buy biogas and/or electricity from cogenerators.
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M. Goodell 4:31PM (5/16/2009)
The Unlimited Potential for Biomethane and Renewable Natural Gas
by M. Goodell
Owner/President
Biomethane Technologies
www.Biomethane.com
Sweden is now leading Europe and the rest of the world in the pursuit of cellulosic biomethane.
According to recent studies by researchers, professors and universities in Sweden, cellulosic biomethane is significantly more economic and less energy intensive to produce today than any biofuel (i.e. E100 Ethanol, B100 Biodiesel, Dimethyl Ether, etc.).
If the U.S. were to similarly emphasize the production of cellulosic biomethane as Sweden is now doing, the U.S. could significantly increase the supply of Biomethane - a renewable, clean fuel with an unlimited supply.
Biomethane can be produced from landfill gas, sewage and animal and crop waste. Besides supplementing our existing natural gas supplies, Biomethane would provide huge greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Based on an analysis conducted for the Department of Energy in the 1990's, it appears that at least 1¼ quadrillion BTUs of methane could reasonably be produced using exiting landfill gas to energy sites, wastewater treatment systems and animal waste sources (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) alone.
If the Biomethane produces in the U.S. were used for natural gas vehicles, it would displace approximately 10 billion gallons of gasoline, per year! This is 10 times the amount (1 billion gallons of gasoline) per year projected for natural gas (the fossil fuel) in the Annual DOE outlook.
Regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Biomethane/Renewable Natural Gas vs. Gasoline
Gasoline produces about 110% more Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Biomethane which would have otherwise been flared or vented to the atmosphere.
In the U.S., it is now feasible to capture and use about 1.25 quadrillion Btu's of Biomethane from landfills, animal waste and POTWs (wastewater treatment systems) alone. This is equivalent to about 6% of all of the natural gas presently used in the U.S.
If this Biomethane were used as a transportation fuel in natural gas vehicles, the Biomethane would displace 10 billion gallons of gasoline per year!
The Potential for cellulosic biomethane almost unlimited
Europe (especially Sweden) is leading the way in cellulosic biomethane production.
Sweden’s goal is to displace all natural gas use with Biomethane and also all gasoline and diesel with renewable fuels.
European studies conclude that cellulosic biomethane production is far more energy efficient and less costly than other cellulosic energy -- already, today!
The potential for cellulosic biomethane is practically unlimited.Other Benefits and Incentives: The Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit: Equal to 2.0 cents per KWH (approximately $5.66 per MMBtu) for electricity produced on-site from Biomethane.
All other uses of biogas and Biomethane in vehicles and producing electricity off-site) do not presently qualify for the Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit.
The time to start building our country's renewable biomethane Infrastructure is now!
It's time to start increasing our country's Biomethane supplies and our country's Biomethane infrastructure.
Biomethane is chemically no different than natural gas from the "fossil fuel" variety of natural gas. Biomethane starts out as Biogas and is "cleaned-up" for use in compressed natural gas vehicles, or any other use that natural gas may be used for - by removing the impurities found in the biogas such as hydrogen sulfides, siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. When the impurities are removed, we then have Biomethane, an unlimited clean renewable fuel that is now being reclassified as one of the low carbon fuels, to a new classification;
Biomethane is produced from many sources including anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment systems, landfills and most agricultural and forestry operations.
Many trade groups and associations are calling for Biomethane to be reclassified from the Low Carbon Fuels category to that of "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel." This category and definition is from the California Air Resources Board stating that Biomethane provides at least an 82 percent reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions based on CARB’s analysis of landfill gas.
Biomethane has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with:
67.9 for North American natural gas
95.8 for diesel
96.7 for gasoline
Biomethane can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.
According to the California Energy Commission and the Biomass Collaborative, landfills, wastewater treatment, and dairy waste sources - which are "developable today" and can start producing Biomethane almost immediately, with low investment/high returns, could yield 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane.
At $8.00/mmbtu, that's a $1 billion market opportunity in California alone. That 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane equals about 860 million gallons of petroleum diesel. California alone uses about 3 billion gallons of diesel annually for transportation. Emerging biomass gasification and Biomethanation technologies could more than double Biomethane supplies. (Some of the above information from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.)
Biomethane - like natural gas from "fossil fuels" - can be compressed or liquefied.And using "Compressed Biomethane" is a significantly better choice as a transportation fuel than traditional "natural gas."
Biomethane is the "natural, natural gas" and is far better for the environment and the economy than natural gas. Biomethane, when "vented" to the environment, is 21 times more hazardous to the climate than carbon dioxide emissions which is the only emission from compressed natural gas vehicles' engines when used as a fuel.
Again, Biomethane is the same chemical compound as natural gas: CH4, and completely replaces and substitutes for natural gas. Engines, turbines, boilers and evey other natural gas appliance can use Biomethane without any adjustments or modifications - just like natural gas.
Biomethane supplies, as opposed to natural gas supplies from the fossil fuel industry, are available in an unlimited supply.
Moving forward with a Biomethane Infrastructure is the direction our country needs to be moving as one of our fuel choices as we become energy-independent. Every MCF of Biomethane that we use displaces about 8 gallons of gasoline and creates jobs that will never be outsourced or downsized.
Please Support H.R. 7097, the Renewable Biogas and Biomethane Production Incentive Act To Help Create our Nation's Biomethane Infratructure
Dear Senator or Representative ________
The following companies and organizations recommend that Congress develop and pass legislation providing a $4.27 per MMBTU tax credit for the production of "Renewable Natural Gas", also referred to as "Renewable Biogas" or "Biomethane."
H.R. 7097, the Biogas Production Incentive Act introduced by Representative Higgins (D-NY) would establish such a credit. Senator Nelson (D-NE) and Representative Kind (D-WI) have also introduced similar legislation.
The U.S. Congress has wisely supported the expanded use of domestic renewable resources through a variety of tax incentives and other programs. Up to this point, Congress has focused primarily on measures that support the production of renewable liquid transportation fuels or electricity. In the U.S., however, natural gas represents 23 percent of the energy consumed.
Natural gas is the fuel of choice to provide residential and commercial heat for space and hot water in most applications and is used to produce steam in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. Natural gas is also the fuel that provides the energy to manufacture many industrial products including aluminum, steel, glass, chemicals, fertilizer, and ethanol.
Incentivizing the production of renewable natural gas or "Biomethane" from sources that include animal manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes will support expanding the role of renewables into this existing energy sector, where little opportunity exists today. It will also create another business investment prospect for renewable project developers and the potential to expand rural economies while supporting existing industrial jobs and dramatically reducing carbon emissions.
Please consider the following:
o Renewable Biomethane is a versatile form of bio-energy. It can be used directly at the site of production, or placed in the pipeline to support a variety of residential commercial or industrial applications.
o Renewable Biomethane produced from renewable sources including animal manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes can be produced at high efficiencies ranging from 60–70 percent. Additionally, all of the technology components to produce renewable gas from this variety of sources exist today.
o Renewable Biomethane can be delivered to customers via the existing U.S. pipeline infrastructure.
o Renewable Biomethane can provide a renewable option for many heavy industries, which could save existing industrial jobs in a carbon constrained economy - while creating new rural green jobs to produce Renewable Biomethane.
o Renewable Biomethane production in digesters provides the agricultural sector additional environmental benefits by improving waste management and nutrient control.
I believe this is a fiscally responsible proposal that will spur new biomethane gas production and create the biomethane infrastructre, as well as create green jobs, expand the rural economy, increase energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Thank you for your support and consideration of this legislation.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Signature and address
Please write to your Representative and Senators, and ask them to support H.R. 7097 and the $4.27 per MMBTU tax credit for the production of Renewable Natural Gas, using the above letter as a suggested letter you are welcome to use as your own.
Thank you for supporting Biomethane! America's truly natural and "renewable natural gas!"
Sincerely,
M. Goodell
Owner/President
Biomethane Technologies
www.Biomethane.com
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