An Australian-first project in New South Wales has seen biomethane injected into the gas network, which can be used in those manufacturing processes that currently rely on gas for heat.
The Malabar Biomethane Demonstration Project, co-funded by major energy infrastructure company Jemena and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is creating biomethane by upgrading biogas produced from organic waste.
The project is based at the Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant and is a collaboration with Sydney Water, Jemena revealed in a news release.
By the end of June, the project’s next stage will see the facility scale up biomethane production to a starting capacity of 95 terajoules of renewable gas annually.
“We know when you use biomethane for cooking and heating it is helping to lower Australia’s overall carbon emissions,” said Jemena’s managing director Frank Tudor.
The Jemena official stated that biomethane could be a game changer for Australian energy users because of its compatibility with existing gas appliances.
Meanwhile, Roch Cheroux, managing director of Sydney Water, stated that the pilot is an example of how Sydney Water is reacting to the changing requirements of its communities now and in the future.
“Sydney Water identified an opportunity to maximise the value of waste we produce, and by partnering with Jemena, we are now able to play a significant role in helping thousands of Sydney homes and businesses increase their efficiency and sustainability,” Cheroux said.
He added, “For the first time, it will be possible to use a mix of biomethane and natural gas for cooking, heating, and hot water.”
The Sydney Water official explained that from this point forward, gas will be redirected into the supply network, allowing the facility to convert waste into a new renewable energy source.
It also means that in the future, biomethane might power NSW firms that rely on gas for day-to-day operations while also attempting to decarbonise their supply chains.
Furthermore, Cheroux stated that the initial trial in Australia is estimated to create as much gas as 6,300 homes use annually, and this is simply the beginning.
“If we work together across industries, we can ultimately create a better life for all our customers by delivering reliable and renewable gas and helping reduce households’ carbon footprint,” Cheroux added.
ARENA’s CEO, Darren Miller, in a statement about the project, said, “ARENA is excited to see the completion of Jemena and Sydney Water’s first-of-a-kind project in Australia, highlighting the potential to capture and upgrade biomethane from wastewater for use in the natural gas network.”
“We look forward to seeing this technology adopted by the broader Australian waste industry, helping to reduce Australia’s emissions and adding value to our underutilised bioenergy resources,” Miller added.
