Biogas looks set to grow exponentially over the coming years, here we look at some key statistics and government pledges related to the UK’s industry.
Gas from biomass or biowaste is one of the least talked about forms of energy production, at least in International Power Engineer. But actually the market has grown 3% a year between 2010 and 2023 and the International Energy Agency forecasts that deployment will need to increase by 8% a year from 2022 to 2040 if it is to be on track with net zero targets.
Biomass forming energy comes from live organic matter such as plants and wood and is used to create electricity, heat and fuels. There are various terms used for energy generated in this manner, With biomass describing live matter and biowaste describing the same matter when dead or a waste product – biogas is the end result. If carefully managed, these products are regarded as ‘renewable’ since resources are relatively easily replenished. Such biomass can either be burned directly or processed into biogas.
The most used renewable
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), bioenergy accounts for 55% of the total global renewable energy supply and more than 6% of the total global energy supply. It is the largest source of renewable energy in the world. The same organisation also said that renewables made up 15% of final energy consumption in the UK in 2022, and around 60% of renewable energy was derived from biomass. France, a country that has a fast-developing biomass sector also relies on biogas for 60% of its renewable energy.
The UK currently has around 723 biogas plants, including both operational and under-development projects, according to the Word Biogas Association. This compares with 1705 plants in France according to gas operator Terega. The ecoysystem in France is the “most developed in Europe” according to Mems AG managing director Daniel Matter. Countries with a large land mass such as China and India are the countries with the largest biowaste / biomass industries according to the organisation.
UK government strategy
According to The Biomass Strategy report released by the UK government in 2023, the short-term strategy of the government (2020s) will continue to facilitate sustainable biomass deployment through a range of incentives and requirements covering power, heat and transport.
In the medium term (to 2035) the government intends to further develop biomass uses with a view to transitioning to uses such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). These will be critical to meeting net zero and offsetting more traditional sectors.
For more information visit: www.iea.org
