Spotlight on Biogas
Providing a sustainable alternative to natural gas.
What is Biogas?
Biogas is a sustainable alternative to natural gas. It is produced when organic matter (such as food scraps or animal waste) is broken down by bacteria in an oxygen-free environment, a process known as anaerobic digestion. Due to the high content of methane (typically 50%-75%) biogas is flammable, and therefore produces a blue flame, and can be used as an energy source. More specifically, the methane content present in decomposing waste is converted into carbon dioxide. Once the anaerobic digestion is complete the carbon dioxide is removed and is then injected into the national grid. The number of green gas plants in the UK has risen from just one in 2013 to over 300 now, 60 of which are feeding directly into the grid. As this continues to grow, some expect over 95% of all domestic demand to be fulfilled by green gas by 2035.
Why is Biogas environmentally friendly?
Biogas helps to alleviate the global waste epidemic by recovering waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. The methane gas produced from decomposing materials in landfills is released into the atmosphere in dangerous quantities every day. Instead, biogas takes a problematic gas and converts it into a much safer form. Methane gas has approximately 20 to 30 times the heat-trapping capabilities of carbon dioxide. This means that when a rotting loaf of bread converts into biogas, the loaf’s environmental impact will be about 10 times less potent than if it was left to rot in a landfill.
When we extract and burn gas from fossil fuels, we’re reintroducing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that has been locked away for millions of years causing climate damage but biomethane is produced from organic materials that absorbed carbon dioxide while they grew. This means when green gas is burned, it only releases that same amount of carbon dioxide. Since it doesn’t add more CO2 to the earth’s atmosphere, it’s a carbon neutral. Using Biogas also reduces our reliance on dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, by creating a sustainable alternative.
Here at Utilitas Solutions we are working closely with the gas suppliers who are offering green gas price plans. If you are interested in taking the next step to make your business energy more sustainable, why not talk to one of our experts today?