Biogas and biomethane: all the advantages

Il biogas It has a double value, in terms of waste reduction. It is a source of renewable energy, which in Italy is worth approximately 2 billion cubic meters per year, and has positive effects on the agricultural system, in particular improving the organic substance of the soil and reducing the uses and costs waste of water.

Il biogas is a source of renewable energy made up of various gases including methane which represents about 60% of the total, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and other gaseous substances. It originates from a process of fermentationOrganic waste materials of plant or animal origin are subjected to the action of microorganisms which, in lack of oxygen, generate natural gas. The waste residues in question are known today as biomass and are clean alternative energy sources. Il biogas It is a derivative of this process which occurs, in more technical terms, through a anaerobic digestion, that is, a bacterial growth that occurs in a sealed chamber without oxygen.

Once the gaseous mixture is obtained, this green energy source can be used to generate the biomethane, to produce electric energy or to power a heating system. In practice, it can serve as green fuel for vehicles, for heat the apartments in the city and for generate energy in specialized centers.

To purchase a biogas plant and generate clean electricity it is possible to rely on the experience of consultants or experts in the field who will be able to define the total expenses in detail: from installation costs, plant management up to biomass transport. You need to be aware that for a small and medium-sized plant The price can range between €5.000 and €8.000 per kW of power. Therefore, it's essential to understand every aspect of the industry and verify the suitability of such a product for installation.

Homemade biogas

Together withsolar power, PV, All 'Aeolian andhydroelectric, biogas and biomass are fundamental in theeco-sustainable evolution of the country and the planet.

Even if it is a renewable energy source While of considerable importance from a future perspective, this gas mix has disadvantages that depend mostly on current technological developments. In fact, with the construction of adequate facilities and the implementation of an effective plan for producing and processing the biomass, producing alternative energy could become almost free of disadvantages.

To date, however, the main disadvantages concern:

The news comes from Sicilia and in particular, from CataniaFrom the pilot project promoted by the Citrus District of Sicily in collaboration with the University of Catania and the Empedocle renewable energy cooperative, Energy from citrus fruits. The initiative has also attracted the interest of The Coca-Cola Foundation which financed the project for over 350 thousand euros, but for what reason?

La Sicilian agri-food supply chain produces annually over 300 thousand tons of pulp, that is, a mixture of peels, pulp, and seeds from lemons, citrons, oranges, and mandarins to be disposed of. Thanks to the ongoing project, however, these organic plant waste materials can be reused for generate clean energy and promote the biomass.

Il biomethane it is a product derived from biomass and in particular, from biogasObtained from chemical-physical refining and purification treatments, the product of this process is suitable for being fed into the natural gas network and therefore can be used as a fuel to heat our homes, but also industrial heating systems. Furthermore, it can be used as a green fuel for vehicles of all kinds. For this reason, together with theelectric andhydrogen conquers the renewable energy scene with a great potential for growth in the coming years.

The prospects of biomethane for Italy, on paper, are enormous, but we risk squandering them due to our usual inability to implement things except when we are under emergency pressure. The program Repower Eu It predicts that biomethane production in Europe will increase from 3,2 billion cubic meters to 35 billion by 2030. Italy currently produces just 300 million cubic meters, and could reach 8 billion, thus creating a crucial energy source for escaping dependence on Russia. The problem, however, is that biomethane production requires plants, which no one wants.

Biomethane produced by Cremonini and Hera

In Spilamberto, in the province of Modena, the most interesting biomethane production plant in Italy is now operational, due to a number of characteristics. First of all, the two partners who made the investment, Herambiente (one of Italy's leading multi-utilities) and Inalca (Cremonini Group), who created a dedicated company, Biorg, brought diverse skills and experience. On the one hand, everything related to the energy sector and waste collection and disposal; on the other, the complex production of meat and meat products, which also generates a lot of waste that should be avoided and, if possible, reused. With a cost of €28 million, a state-of-the-art plant was built in Spilamberto, a model for the future. The circular economy, where 3,7 million cubic meters of entirely renewable and composite biomethane are produced every year from organic waste and agri-food wastewater.

The environmental, as well as economic and employment benefits of the plant lie in three essential savings:

• 3 thousand tons of oil saved
• 7 thousand tons of CO2 saved
• 280 thousand trees saved, as they are needed to absorb the harmful emissions which are instead eliminated

The Cremonini Group has long been pursuing a circular economy. It self-produces 77 percent of the energy it uses in its industrial plants and has created a circular economy network consisting of two cogeneration plants using cast-off fats, six methane cogeneration plants, two biogas plants fueled by industrial wastewater from its plants, and four biogas plants produced from agricultural wastewater.

Read also:

• Don't waste land: it's a non-renewable resource
• Diesel and gasoline buses have been phased out in Sweden. Electric buses, ethanol, and biogas will be the only options.
• In Strasbourg, biogas recovered from sewers will heat 5 homes.
• Italy's clean energy target is 18 percent. But how do we get to the 32 percent target set for 2030?