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