Why is sustainable gas important?

The debate on how to deliver green or renewable heat to UK homes is picking up momentum and the government is now beginning to recognise the potential for renewable gas to contribute to the UK’s low carbon economy. Renewable gas (also referred to as methane-based gas or biomethane) can be produced from organic waste and injected into the gas grid and will therefore contribute to decarbonising (lowering CO₂ emissions) energy supplies for heat.

In January 2009 National Grid published The potential of renewable gas in the UK (with Ernst and Young). This highlighted that renewable gas has the potential of meeting a significant proportion of the UK's domestic heat demand.

What is National Grid’s Sustainable Gas Group?

The Sustainable Gas Group sits within the Gas Distribution business and its principal objective is to promote the injection of biomethane into the gas network.

Biomethane is a renewable gas produced from biodegradable matter such as food waste or energy crops.

National Grid’s vision for injection is consistent with the UK Government’s targets for reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions and for meeting energy demand using sustainable resources.
 
Injection of biomethane is already carried out in Europe and key to its deployment in the UK is the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in 2011. Our position is that the incentive needs to be sufficient to make direct injection of the biomethane competitive with renewable power generation using the biomethane which is already incentivised by obligations on electricity suppliers particularly as it’s more efficient to use the biomethane directly.
 
Due to the success of the work that National Grid has done to raise awareness of the potential for renewable gas we receive regular enquiries regarding network entry connections and we are actively lobbying to develop a number of projects with producers that should come on stream in the next 12 to 18 months. To find out more about the requirements to connect to our gas grid and injection of biomethane please visit our transmission connection pages.

What are people saying about sustainable gas?

"Sustainable gas has the potential to cost effectively contribute to global carbon reduction targets.  It has the added benefits of increasing security of energy supplies and helping to deal with organic waste products.  I am proud that National Grid is doing its part on both sides of the Atlantic to help this exciting opportunity reach its potential."

Mark Fairbairn, Executive Director, Gas Distribution

“Biogas has tremendous potential for delivering large scale renewable heat for the UK but it will require government commitment to a comprehensive waste policy and the right commercial incentives.”

Janine Freeman, Head of EU & UK Public Affairs

“Biomethane promises to deliver many benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased fuel security and it is great that National Grid is taking a leading role in realising these benefits for consumers."

Johnny Johnston, Network Planning Manager

Contact us:

renewablegas.ukd@uk.ngrid.com