Overview of biomethane markets and regulations ... - Green Gas Grids

substrate mix. On the other hand biogas production from municipal biowaste, other
biogeneous residues, and from pasture lands is being enforced. Since German
incentive schemes strongly support CHP, biomethane is most commonly (around
70 %) used in gas engines with heat recovery. About 20 % of the produced
quantity is sold as a vehicle fuel and a minor percentage is applied to space
heating.
Political targets for biogas and biomethane production
By 2020, Germany aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emission by 40 %. With the
decision on phasing out of nuclear energy, the climate targets are strongly
dependant on a successful and fast deployment of RES. Thus, Germany plans to
increase the share of RES up to 30 % in electricity, up to 14 % in heating sector,
and up to 10 % share in the transport sector (biofuels). The Government’s
Enactments of Meseberg, announced in August 2007, details the strategy of
achieving Germany’s targets for emission reduction. The measures indicated in this
document include for example Germany’s national target for biomethane feed-in of
6 billion cubic metres annually until 2020 and 10 billion cubic metres per year by
2030. Both targets are considered to be ambitious and even though Germany hosts
the largest biomethane production in Europe (2011 figures), only about 5 % of the
2020 target has been reached.
Natural gas consumption, suppliers, infrastructure
With annual gas demand of 94 billion cubic meters, Germany is the largest gas
consumer among all EU countries. The country hosts small and declining reserves
of natural gas. A mere 13 % of Germany’s total gas demand is covered by national
reserves. Moreover, gas is imported from The Netherlands (20 %), Norway (29 %),
and Russia (32 %) as well as minor amounts from Denmark and UK. Germany has
a well developed nationwide pipeline network (Figure 5) with a total length of
436,204 km. 116,927 km belongs to the high pressure grid, 177,456 km to
medium pressure and 141,821 km to the low pressure grid. The most important
TSOs are Eon Gastransport, Gasunie and Wingas. The largest natural gas suppliers
are Eon Ruhrgas, RWE Energy, VNG, Exxon Mobil and Shell. The natural gas market
is under the supervision of Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur / BNetzA).
The Agency is in charge of electricity, gas and telecommunication network, for
postal and railway networks and promotes the liberalisation of these markets.
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