Sustainability and methane leakage

In continuation of the previous government’s Climate and Air Initiative from October 2018, a “Target between the government and the Danish People’s Party: Finance Act for 2019” of 30 November 2018 initiated a targeted effort to reduce methane leakage from biogas plants. The project aimed both to assist the participating biogas plants in identifying and reducing methane leaks and to quantify the methane loss from the plants.

Ramboll’s final report with the project’s results shows an average methane loss of 2.5 per cent. from the plants that participated in the project, and that some plants have a relatively high loss. The lowest average methane loss is seen at the common biogas plants (1.9 per cent), while the highest is measured at the waste water treatment plants (7.7 per cent).

The results of the study emphasize that there is a need to introduce regulation in this area. It is important that methane leaks are reduced in order to preserve the positive climate effect of biogas so that it still supports the green transition. At the same time, there is also an economic incentive for biogas plants to reduce methane loss, as leaks reduce the overall gas yield.

Of the very specific sources of methane leakage, the report highlights in particular leaky pressure / vacuum valves as well as the lack of covering of storage tanks / sludge storage. This is important knowledge that the Danish Energy Agency will use to assess how a future regulation of methane emissions from biogas plants can best be designed. At the same time, it must also be expected that a number of plants, on the basis of the report’s new information, will take the initiative to reduce their methane emissions in order to avoid loss of revenue.

https://www.worldbiogasassociation.org/biogas-masterclasses-with-danish-experts-virtual/#1642763588756-995f9ce1-7859 

Innovationskraft  
When you participate in this event, your time will be used as co-financing for the project Innovationkraft, which is funded by the Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse and the Uddannelses- og Forskningsstyrelsen at a standard rate. Read more about the project