A group of sixty experts presented concrete measures at the second Grid Ready Forum in Brussels to accelerate the injection of biomethane into European gas grids. The infrastructure is already in place, but regulatory fragmentation and technical barriers are hindering the rollout. Delays in the implementation of EU gas rules threaten to slow down the rollout, precisely at a time when the rapid expansion of domestic renewable gas production is strategically crucial for Europe's competitiveness and independence from fossil fuels.
The forum brought together policymakers, national regulators, grid operators, and industry representatives behind closed doors in Brussels, organized by the European Biogas Association. According to ACER, Europe already possesses an extensive gas network with more than 200.000 km of transmission pipelines and more than 2 million km of distribution lines. A central message is that the existing gas infrastructure is ready for biomethane and that large-scale new investments are not required for this. A recent study by GIE estimates the investment required for the integration of 1.000 TWh of biomethane at 2,5 billion euros per year, forty times less than what electricity grids will need until 2040.
Deadlines at risk
The discussions are taking place at a critical moment: the EU Gas Package obliges Member States to enshrine an injection right for all producers of renewable gas, with a transposition deadline on 5 August. However, several EU countries risk falling behind or failing to adequately implement the biomethane-related provisions. Participants from several countries pointed to persistent regulatory fragmentation and technical barriers that continue to hinder the injection of renewable gas.
Harmonization and master plans as a solution
The forum concluded with a package of concrete recommendations. A key point is the need for a harmonised approach to gas quality standards, including oxygen limits, which can make biomethane injection unnecessarily expensive or technically unfeasible. Various countries apply separate national standards, which complicates cross-border gas flows. In addition, the forum advocates for coordinated master plans for gas networks, supported by digital mapping tools that enable network operators to better utilize their networks. Virtual pipelines, whereby biomethane is transported by road where grid connection is limited, are also proposed as a practical interim solution.
Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association, stated that Europe has the infrastructure, technology, and expertise to rapidly scale up biomethane, but that decisive action by governments and regulators is now necessary to remove remaining obstacles and harmonize regulations.
Source: europeanbiogas.eu
Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash
