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PRESS RELEASE: Biomethane ‘only practical way to decarbonise large vehicles’

  • Head of anaerobic digestion trade body makes statement in Air Quality News 
  • BEIS confirms today that biomethane suppliers can claim both RHI and RTFO 
  • Role of biomethane in decarbonising transport to be key theme of global biogas expo 

Biomethane from anaerobic digestion (AD) is “the only practical means of decarbonising HGVs, buses, and other large vehicles” according to a new article by the head of the UK’s AD industry. 

Writing in Air Quality News yesterday, Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA), said: 

Given how far hydrogen is from being a reliable option for transport and the difficulties in using electric batteries to power heavy vehicles, over the short to mid term biomethane is a technology-ready, cost-effective means of slashing emissions and particulate matter and improving air quality, and is the only practical means of decarbonising HGVs, buses, and other large vehicles. 

 

The UK has close to 100 AD plants already producing biomethane with dozens more being built, and the whole UK AD industry has sufficient capacity today to produce enough biomethane to power 80% of the UK’s entire bus fleet and the potential to produce enough biomethane to power 75% of all HGVs in the UK. 

AD is a natural process that breaks down organic wastes and purpose-grown crops to create a biogas that can then be upgraded to biomethane. Biomethane-fuelled vehicles have dramatically reduced nitrogen-oxide emissions and fewer ozone promoters, aldehydes, and non-methane hydrocarbons than Euro V diesel vehicles, as well as particulate-matter-free combustion. Biomethane offers a 50-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to diesel, depending on the feedstock used to generate the biogas. 

Increasing numbers of bus and HGV fleets across the UK and around the world are turning to biomethane as a clean, low-cost fuel. In April the world’s largest fleet of biogas double-deck buses became operational in Nottingham. 

Ms Morton's statement comes as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced today that producers of biomethane can now claim government support from both the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), for biomethane used to decarbonise the gas grid, and from the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), for biomethane used as a transport fuel. 

Ms Morton said: 

This is a welcome announcement that will help in particular to make the RTFO a more commercially viable and bankable route that can underpin future investments in transport-related AD expansion. 

 
We've worked closely with our members, BEIS, DfT, Ofgem, and other trade associations to secure this outcome, which we see as a fabulous example of different stakeholders working together to develop shared understanding and create future opportunities for investment.

The role of biomethane as a transport fuel will be a key theme of UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018, the world’s largest tradeshow dedicated solely to AD and biogas, taking place on 11th-12th July at the NEC in Birmingham. The expo, which is being organised by ADBA and the World Biogas Association, will feature panel discussions on stimulating the UK biomethane-for-transport market and biogas refuelling infrastructure, as well as case studies of biomethane bus fleets from around the world.   

 

ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of biomethane buses attached for use. Photo credit: Reading Buses

'Thinking outside the NOx' – article by Charlotte Morton in Air Quality News: https://www.airqualitynews.com/2018/06/13/thinking-outside-the-nox/

UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018: www.biogastradeshow.com

Press passes available upon request.

Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association: www.adbioresources.org

ADBA is the trade association for the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in the UK and companies and organisations working on novel technologies and processes that compliment the anaerobic digestion process and products. With our members we promote the economic and environmental benefits of AD in the UK.

We represent organisations from many sectors including: AD operators, AD developers, AD equipment providers, water companies, farmers, food & drink retailers, waste companies, universities and more.

 

Contact details

Chris Noyce, PR & Parliamentary Affairs Executive, ADBA

T: 020 3176 5441      E: chris.noyce@adbioresources.org

Website: www.adbioresources.org

Twitter: @adbioresources

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