Posted: 27 February, 2013
Last year’s Biomethane Day was a great success with over 150 industry professionals in attendance. As a result of positive feedback from 2012, we know that UK Biomethane Day 2013 is going to be even bigger and better. With many major exhibitors already confirmed, this is the one industry event you cannot afford to miss if you are considering biomethane.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has created a big financial impetus for the injection of biomethane into the gas grid. The present RHI applies to projects completed by 1st AprIl 2015 and this event is designed to help you take advantage of this opportunity.
UK Biomethane Day is about bringing everyone involved in the sector together to network and learn from industry experts, talking about first hand experience on current projects within the UK.
Attendees will receive a briefing pack and have an opportunity to talk face-to-face with representatives of the gas distribution networks and all the key suppliers in the biomethane market.
For more information on attending as a delegate or an exhibitor please visit the REA website here - http://www.r-e-a.net/events/uk-biomethane-day-2013
Download UK Biomethane Day 2013 flyer here.
Posted: 8 April, 2011
From 2013 the financial performance of gas distribution network operators (GDNs) will be measured against their achievement of a set of environmental outputs that include the connection of biomethane to the gas network. Energy regulator Ofgem announced this as part of its strategy on the next gas distribution price control for the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2021 published on 31 March. For its part, Ofgem has committed to agreeing biomethane connection charging arrangements as part of a separate, parallel process.
GDNs will also be rewarded for delivering environmental benefits over and above their price control obligations through a Discretionary Reward Scheme; and will be able to fund environmental projects including the connection of biomethane to the gas network through a new innovation fund of £160 million over the 8-year price control period.
The gas distribution companies must now draw up detailed business plans by the end of July. Ofgem will scrutinise GDNs’ business plans during the autumn and set out a programme for working with each company during 2012. They will then agree the overall framework under which each GDN will operate during the price control period, part of which will be its environmental output measures.
Further Information: Decision on strategy for the next gas distribution price control - RIIO-GD1
Posted: 10 March, 2011
On 10 March 2011 the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), the first of its kind in the world.
Technologies earmarked for support under the RHI include biomethane injected to grid, heating and cooling from on-site biogas combustion under 200kWth and synthetic gas (‘syngas’) from pyrolysis and gasification.
These technologies have all been awarded a tariff of 6.5 pence per kWh. The RHI will be paid for out of general taxation. Ofgem will be responsible for administrating the scheme and will be dealing with applications, accreditations, making payments and monitoring compliance.
DECC aims to seek Parliamentary approval of the RHI regulations underpinning the scheme in July 2011 so that applicants can be accredited as soon as possible thereafter.
Landfill gas for heat or for biomethane injection, parasitic heat for anaerobic digestion and heat used for district heating schemes will not be included at the present time, The full consultation can be found on the DECC website by clicking here.
Posted: 4 March, 2011
New certification scheme to bring confidence to consumers
Some of the UK’s leading energy providers have today supported the launch of a scheme that will bring certainty to consumers that the gas they buy is totally ‘green.’
The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) tracks biomethane, or ‘green gas’, through the supply chain to provide certainty for those that buy it and has been established by the Renewable Energy Association working with Bio Group, British Gas, E.ON, National Grid, Milton Keynes Council, Thames Water and CNG Services Ltd.
“The Green Gas Certification Scheme is a simple and reliable way to eliminate double-counting of registered green gas” said Steve Sharratt OBE, Chief Executive of Bio Group who designed, constructed and operate the Adnams Bio Energy plant in Southwold, Suffolk. “By tracking the commercial transactions of biomethane through the supply chain it provides certainty for consumers who buy the gas, confidence in the green gas sector and an incentive for gas producers to inject green gas into the grid.”
The ground-breaking scheme is also being backed by British Gas. Mark Bugler, Head of Renewable Gas commented: “As partners in the UK’s first two Biomethane to Grid pilot projects British Gas are pleased to be one of the founding members of the Green Gas Certification Scheme. This scheme is key in allowing us to track ‘green gas’ from injection into the grid through to our customers. Our early investments in biomethane projects demonstrate once again British Gas’ leadership in renewable energy.”
John Pettigrew, National Grid's Chief Operating Officer for Gas Distribution, added: “The Green Gas Certification Scheme is a great step forward for renewable gas, stimulating demand from consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Michael Woodhead, Managing Director of E.ON’s Sustainable Energy business, said: “Customers need the reassurance that the greener products they seek actually ‘do what they say on the tin’. We believe that biomethane has a significant role to play in the future energy mix for the UK and this certification scheme is a major step forward to making it a reality.” Biomethane, or ‘green gas’ is a form of renewable energy. It can be made from biogas from anaerobic digestion, landfill gas or syngas from synthetic gas production. If injected into the grid it displaces the same amount of conventional gas. The GGCS tracks any contractual trading of the injected gas through to its sale to end-use consumers who receive a certificate notifying them of the individual identifiers associated with it. The platform through which the gas is tracked and authenticated has been created by web development agency SAV.
“There is huge interest in renewable gas. I’m delighted that we’ve now got two sites up and running. More are set to follow once the Renewable Heat Incentive starts later in the year.” said Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association which, via its subsidiary Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd, is running the new certification system.
The new certification system is open to a wide range of participants across the UK including green gas producers, suppliers and other traders.
Notes for editors:
Green Gas Certification Scheme is part of Renewable Energy Assurance Limited.
Registered in England and Wales | Company No. 05720606 | 2nd Floor, 25 Eccleston Place, London SW1W 9NF
Renewable Energy Assurance Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Renewable Energy Association