A draft Quality Protocol which is intended to make it easier for producers of biomethane from anaerobic digestion and landfill gas to inject it directly into the grid has been launched for consultation today (January 31).
The draft Quality Protocol (QP) sets out criteria for the production of biomethane from waste which, if complied with, will allow injection to the gas grid and use in appliances such as vehicles and fuel cells without the need for waste management controls.
Consultation on an earlier draft QP was conducted between July and September 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story), however there were concerns that the proposals could be overly burdensome, particularly in relation to biomethane from AD biogas and for smaller operations. Revision of the draft QP has therefore seen significant simplification and rationalisation of compliance monitoring requirements.
The Protocol is being developed under the European Pathway to Zero Waste (EPOW) project, a partnership between the Environment Agency and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP). It is intended to reduce the regulatory barriers to the recovery of waste.
According to EPOW, injection into the gas grid is the most efficient use of biomethane, but only several plants in the UK have the capacity to do so, such as the JV Energen AD facility at Poundbury, Dorset.
The organisation hopes that the development of a Quality Protocol will see a greater number of facilities producing biomethane.
Benefits
EPOW programme director, Margaret Doherty, said: A Quality Protocol for biomethane could bring significant benefits for the economy and the environment. The QP sets out carefully considered quality criteria which, if met, mean that biomethane from landfill and AD using waste can be considered to be a product rather than a waste, and need not be subject to waste management controls.
This would remove a practical barrier to its use particularly for injection to the gas grid and help pave the way for more schemes like Poundbury to make a substantial contribution to renewable energy targets and reduced reliance on imported gas. Resulting growth in AD would in turn bring benefits in reducing waste to landfill.
The development of the draft QP has been guided by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Membership of the TAG includes representatives from the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA), the Renewable Energy Association (REA), gas distribution network operators, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Defra and other interest groups.
ADBA
ADBA has welcomed the opportunity for the sector to comment on the proposals.
The associations policy manager Matt Hindle, said: Addressing barriers to biomethane projects is vital to realise the benefits which green gas could bring in the UK. A Quality Protocol for biomethane will allow developers and operators to avoid the cost and risk of waste management controls, which will be a welcome step.
This consultation offers the industry a chance to comment on the proposals. These have changed considerably since the previous draft was released in 2012, with a much less burdensome compliance regime and expanded end markets.
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The consultation runs until February 28, with a final version of the Quality Protocol expected to be produced in autumn 2013.
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