Biomethane Quality Protocol launched

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The Environment Agency with support from WRAP and industry representatives has launched a Quality Protocol for biomethane.

Funding was also provided by the EU Life+ programme to develop the protocol.

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Only a handful of trial biomethane to grid projects are currently in operation, and one of the reasons for this is the waste status of biogas from landfill and anaerobic digestion (AD).

The Quality Protocol sets out end of waste criteria for the production and use of biomethane arising from the degradation of organic wastes in a landfill site or anaerobic digestion plant.

It enables the injection of the gas into the grid or use in an appliance suitably designed and operated for natural gas without the need for waste regulatory controls.

As a result of the introduction of the quality protocol, the use of biomethane gas from anaerobic digestion is expected to grow to 1 per cent of all UK domestic annual gas use by 2020. 

The Quality Protocol will be hosted on the Green Gas Certification Scheme website.

Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association policy manager Matt Hindle said: “Biomethane has huge potential as a form of renewable energy which can decarbonise hard-to-reach areas such as industrial processes, heating and road transport. The Quality Protocol will help developers and operators by giving greater certainty around waste controls, so ADBA welcomes its publication.”