Biogas

Biogas is an energy rich renewable gas containing a high percentage of methane (50-70%). It is produced in a process known as anaerobic digestion, where energy comprising organic material is transformed into an energy accessible gas. The production of biogas uses locally derived feedstock such as food waste, agricultural waste and energy crops that in turn create a local economy through the growing and supply of feedstock. The by-product formed is an organic fertiliser, which replaces artificial chemical fertilisers, that is returned to the land which helps protect waterways, promote organic growth and creates jobs, due to its handling.

Derived from renewable sources, Biogas is carbon neutral and in some cases carbon negative, and offers a mechanism not only for decarbonisation of Ireland’s national electricity grid but also Ireland’s gas system.

Biogas Benefits

Project Example

Biogas Benefits

Reduces the use of fossil fuels
Reduces energy imports
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Protects waterways
Converts organic wastes to renewable energy and an eco fertiliser
Displaces fossil fuel fertilisers
Generates local employment
Contributes to sustainable development
Is not dependant on weather patterns

Project Example: GreenGas AD Plant

One of the first in the country and successfully operating since 2010, GreenGas AD Plant is a state of the art farm based Anaerobic Digestion plant. Greengas AD Plant is a 1MW electrical biogas plant that processes manure and slurry from McDonnell Farms poultry and dairy farm as well as other imported feedstuffs by converting the energy contained in these materials into a usable form of energy. This is carried out in a very safe and environmentally conscious way.

Greensource conducted all aspects of the development chain. Site assessment, energy yield, grid connection, planning, permitting, construction, commissioning and operation.

BioMethane

With biogas there are many more options for energy utilisation outside of electricity generation such as transport and heating. One such way is Biomethane which can be used for both transportation and heat.

Biogas contains 40-50% carbon dioxide. We can remove this carbon dioxide from biogas upgrading it to pure biomethane. We can use biomethane in a number of ways.

The simplest way is to use biomethane is to compress it, creating a fuel similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which is used to fuel buses and heavy goods vehicles. We can compress the gas further liquefying it making it more easily transportable and making it available to LPG customers.

By the addition of trace gases and odourising biomethane we have a renewable Natural Gas. Biomethane is the most efficient way of greening our natural gas grid which is 100% fossil fuel.

The greenhouse gas savings of biomethane fuelled vehicles can be significant. Methane fuelled vehicles can also have extremely low emissions of local pollutants, including NOx and particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) when compared to modern petrol and diesel vehicles. There are currently few CNG vehicles and no biomethane vehicles in Ireland.