Green Gas Certification Scheme joins new EU biomethane trading initiative

Posted: 10 December, 2013. Written by James Beard

GGCS represents UK in Letter of Intent to develop EU-wide green gas trading

Work has begun developing the world’s first international green gas trading initiative, with REAL’s Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) representing the UK in a Letter of Intent with five other national biomethane organisations across the EU [1].

Biogas from anaerobic digestion can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas grid or used as vehicle fuel. The GGCS tracks this green gas through the supply chain so suppliers can be certain of its renewable origin. Gas users can use Green Gas Certificates to demonstrate the sourcing of renewable energy, and potentially meet organisational sustainability objectives.

Biomethane injection is just beginning to take off in the UK. By the end of 2014 it is expected there will be at least 10 operational UK biomethane plants with a combined annual output of 500 GWh – enough to heat 30,000 homes or for 700 dedicated CNG trucks to drive 100,000 km each.

The GGCS is now looking to expand and facilitate cross-border green gas trading. The GGCS is the UK signatory on a Letter of Intent, along with partners from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland, which commits signatories to “cooperation towards a cross-border trade of biomethane”. The group is expected to grow, with biomethane currently being produced in 15 EU countries. Germany leads the way with 100 operational biomethane plants.

REAL Renewable Schemes Manager Ciaran Burns said:

“This is an exciting next step for the green gas industry. It will expand the market for green gas across the continent, opening up new opportunities for UK biomethane producers. Ensuring compatibility of trading practices between countries will be challenging, but we look forward to working with the project partners to help realise the full potential of green gas.

“Our number one priority though remains the development of the UK green gas industry. We look forward to seeing more and more plants coming online now that DECC has concluded consultations on the Renewable Heat Incentive.”

The Letter of Intent includes the following key “areas of collaboration”:

• to create the best possible conditions for transfer of information related to biomethane transactions,
• to ensure highest possible compatibility between registration systems,
• to set the conditions for mutual acceptance of Guarantees of Origin for biomethane.

This process is being headed up by the European Biogas Association and the GreenGasGrids project [2]. REAL’s parent company, the Renewable Energy Association, is a member of both organisations. GreenGasGrids is a supporter of the annual UK Biomethane Day, which next takes place on 9th April 2014 in Birmingham [3]. The REA, REAL and GGCS participants are among the speakers on the day.

Notes to editors

• The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) is run by REAL, in close collaboration with GGCS participants, to support producers, suppliers and consumers of biomethane (‘green gas’). The GGCS, which is run on a non-profit basis, tracks green gas through the supply chain so that suppliers and consumers alike can be certain of its renewable origin. The GGCS tracks the contractual rather than physical flows to ensure there is no double-counting from production to end use.
  For more information, see: www.greengas.org.uk
   
• Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) carries out a range of certification and consumer protection activities, all of which promote sustainable energy. REAL’s activities fall under two headings: consumer codes and certification schemes. REAL was incorporated in 2006. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renewable Energy Association.
  For more information, see: www.renewableenergyassurance.org.uk
   
• The Renewable Energy Association (REA) represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and renewable gas. It is the largest renewable energy trade association in the UK, with approximately 1,000 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders.
  For more information, see: www.r-e-a.net

1. www.greengasgrids.eu/fileadmin/greengas/media/News/LetterOfIntent_layouted_with_Logos.pdf
   
   The six national biomethane registries signed up to the Letter of Intent are:
   • Austria: Biomethan Register Austria (www.agcs.at)
   • Denmark: Energinet.dk (www.energinet.dk)
   • France: Gaz Réseau Distribution France (www.grdf.fr)
   • Germany: Biogasregister (www.biogasregister.de)
   • Switzerland: VSG (Federation of Swiss Gas Industry) (www.erdgas.ch/biogas/clearingstelle)
   • United Kingdom: Green Gas Certification Scheme (www.greengas.org.uk)
      
2. www.european-biogas.eu/images/stories/pdf/2013.11.25_ggg_press%20release_biomethane%20registries.pdf
3. www.r-e-a.net/events/uk-biomethane-day-2014