Sustainable business: How biogas is turning waste into power

What is biogas?

Biogas is a form of fuel made from organic waste such as food, crop waste and manure. The waste is broken down in an oxygen-free environment. As it decomposes in a process called anaerobic digestion, organic molecules break down and release energy known as biogas. This energy is the biogas. It’s made up mostly of methane and carbon dioxide, with a handful of other gases mixed in.

To generate enough biogas to use, the process requires a steady stream of organic waste – which can be sourced from locations such as dairies and other farming operations, food and meat processors and landfill sites. Businesses can help convert their waste into energy by installing and maintaining these systems on sites with direct access to waste streams.

What can biogas be used for?

Biogas can be used to help generate electricity, steam, and heat to power production in a more sustainable, cost-effective way.

The energy released by those molecules can be purified to produce a near-pure source of methane known as biomethane. Once compressed, it can be used in similar ways as natural gas or petroleum. It could fuel gas vehicles and other commercial or industrial vehicles and machinery. Or it could be diverted directly into the natural gas grid.

While biogas still emits carbon dioxide when it’s used, it’s made from organic material that takes carbon from the atmosphere during growth, making it a greener fuel option.

Three benefits of biogas

1. Helpts to reduce natural gas use. Biogas can be converted into heat or electricity or purified into biomethane as a natural gas alternative. Companies with an organic waste stream can use biogas as an alternative to natural gas.

2. Can provide beneficial agricultural materials. The nutrient-rich material that remains after anaerobic digestion, called digestate, is also a valuable biofertiliser. It can help support food production and decrease reliance on energy-intensive manufactured fertilisers.

3. Helps prevent greenhouse gasses. When waste streams are left to decompose in the open air, they emit methane into the atmosphere. Biogas production entraps methane and puts it to good use as fuel. As methane is used as fuel, it’s converted to CO2, which is up to 34 times less potent as a greenhouse gas.

Ultimately, biogas can be a win-win for the planet and the people. It helps to reduce pollution while providing an alternative energy source for commercial and industrial organisations. That, in turn, helps to keep them from having to rely as heavily on fossil fuels.