The future is renewable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Guidehouse and the European Biogas Association’s (EBA) February 2023 ‘Beyond energy’ report clearly shows a positive future for the renewable energy industry, with particular focus on the increasing role anaerobic digestion will inevitably play in the production of biomethane and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

The report, released just a few days ago, reminds readers of the importance of biomethane and it’s place in the renewable energy sector; the cheapest and most scalable renewable gas available today, largely due to the fact it can be used as a direct substitute to natural gas, stored & deployed across all energy systems and using existing infrastructure.

Not only this, but biomethane also offers a number of other benefits, external or alternative to energy generation, such as:

Improving soil health: particularly relevant to anaerobic digestion, the process of biogas production from AD generates a nutrient rich digestate which can be applied to agricultural soil to help repair and revitalise degrading earth which, in turn, support agricultural stability and sustainability.

Green CO2: a subject we’ve discussed previously and one that is gaining more and more exposure is green CO2, and biogas produced via anaerobic digestion and thermal gasification includes renewable - ‘green’ - carbon dioxide which can directly replace CO2 produced from fossil fuels in a multitude of industries and applications.

Greenhouse gases: biomethane can directly replace fossil fuels in a number of different sectors, not only energy production, and therefore makes a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions; reducing these harmful emissions and mitigating their impact on the environment.

The growing need for anaerobic digestion plants

Alongside this, Guidehouse and EBA’s report suggests that, by 2030 - just 7 years away at this point - biomethane production will make a huge economic impact to EU27 and the UK, accounting for an additional €38 - 78 billion per annum.

Of note, however, is the major contribution anaerobic digestion is estimated to make within this range, standing at €35 - 73 billion of this approximate total (up to 93.5%).

It's no secret that renewable energy holds the key to the UK’s long term and future energy security - offering green and affordable alternatives to unsustainable and damaging fossil fuels; a way for us to heat & power our homes and businesses that’s both kinder to our pockets and our environment, but it’s anaerobic digestion’s mammoth projected contribution to this movement that excites us the most - anaerobic digestion plants providing valuable support to the agricultural industry, as well as a renewable energy source, without the need to alter existing infrastructure.

Yes, it seems that, not only is the future renewable, but the future is also anaerobic digestion.