Isra-Mart srl:Renewable industry launches Green Gas Certification Scheme

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Customers using so-called green gas can now be certain that fuel they receive really comes from renewable sources, thanks to the launch of a new certification scheme.

Biomethane, or green gas, can be extracted from anaerobic digestors, landfill sites or syngas created during synthetic gas production. A number of developers are currently working on injecting green gas into the national gas grid, displacing the need for conventional gas and providing customers with the opportunity to purchase renewable gas.

The new Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) means consumers signed up to green gas tariffs will receive a certificate that tracks any contractual trading of the injected gas, providing them with evidence that the gas they use is matched by an equivalent amount of green gas going into the grid.

Established by the Renewable Energy Association (REA), along with several private-sector partners, the scheme is open to green gas producers, suppliers and other traders across the UK.

"The Green Gas Certification Scheme is a simple and reliable way to eliminate double-counting of registered green gas," said Steve Sharratt, chief executive of Bio Group. "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 Bio Group operates the Adnams Bio Energy plant in Southwold, Suffolk, which, along with Thames Water's Didcot water treatment plant, comprises the only two biomethane sites in the UK currently in operation.

However, British Gas, E.ON, National Grid, Milton Keynes Council, Thames Water and biogas company CNG Services are all founder members of the scheme and interest in green gas technology seems to be growing. For example, green energy firm Ecotricity is currently looking to inject biogas into the grid to support its green gas tariff.

Michael Woodhead, managing director of E.ON's Sustainable Energy business, said the scheme would help the growth of biomethane capacity in the UK.

"Customers need the reassurance that the greener products they seek actually do what they say on the tin," he said. "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 towards making it a reality."