Newsletter Dezember 2024
English version
Welcome to the latest issue of the biogaspartner newsletter - an information service from the German Energy Agency (dena) covering all aspects of biomethane. This newsletter informs you, among other things, about the decision on the biomass package, new pilot projects in Singapore and agreement between Norway and the Netherlands on ship refueling with liquefied biomethane as well as the DAH Group's investment strategy in the biomethane sector for the coming years.
Further information on the biogas partnership project and our partners can be found at www.biogaspartner.de
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year!
Stay safe and healthy.
GENERATION
Biomass package approved by the Federal Cabinet
The biomass package adopted on 11.12.24 is intended to amend the EEG 2023 in order to promote the flexibilization of biogas plants and improve planning security for existing plants, especially those connected to the heating grid. The key points of the biomass package are the priority connection funding for biogas plants with a connection to a heating or building network or system-supporting flexibility. The abolition of the southern quota is relevant for biomethane plants. Specific feedback can be submitted until January 16, 2025.
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DAH secures credit line for strategic financing of biomethane upgrading capacities
The DAH Group has agreed a long-term credit line in the three-digit million range with an international banking consortium for seven years. This financing is intended to secure working capital for the existing business as well as to support the expansion of biomethane production and strategic acquisitions.
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Valuable lessons learned from failed biomethane plant project near Karstädt
Shell's planned biomethane project in Karstädt has finally been halted after the municipal council unanimously revoked the planning resolution from 2021. A public survey in September 2024 had shown that 72.5% of participating residents were against the plant, which was to process 600,000 tons of animal waste into biomethane every year. Shell regrets the decision, but admits that it did not adequately address the concerns of the citizens. Critics particularly criticized the lack of transparency and doubts about the local availability of the required raw materials.
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MOBILITY
Fueling the future: 22nd “Fuels of the future” congress
On January 20-21, 2025, the international biofuels industry will meet in Berlin! Be there when experts from science, politics and industry discuss renewable mobility and innovative technologies. The 22nd “Fuels of the Future” congress offers a unique platform to find out about the latest developments and political framework conditions. Take the opportunity to network and actively shape the future of climate protection. Register now and benefit from the top presentations.
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Pilot project for refueling ships with liquefied biomethane
The Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) has successfully completed a pilot project to refuel the container ship CMA CGM Tivoli with 100 tons of mass-balanced liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG). Bio-LNG, produced from waste-based raw materials, offers a lower-emission alternative to conventional marine fuels and is backed by a sustainability certificate in accordance with EU standards.
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UEECC and Titan sign biomethane agreement for ship refueling
Norwegian shipping company UECC and Dutch fuel supplier Titan have signed an agreement for the supply of bio-LNG for UECC's dual-fuel LNG vessels. At least 12,000 tons of ISCC-EU certified Bio-LNG will be provided for five vessels in the port of Zeebrugge by the end of 2025, reducing UECC's annual Scope 1 emissions by approximately 75,000 tons of CO2. The partnership supports UECC's sustainability strategy “Sail for Change” and aims to increase the alternative fuel share in the 15-vessel fleet to 55% by 2030.
INTERNATIONAL
IT | Verdalia Bioenergy agrees acquisition of seven biogas plants in northern Italy
Verdalia Bioenergy is taking over seven biomethane plants in the Italian province of Brescia from Green Arrow Capital and Lazzari & Lucchini. The plants have an annual production capacity of 190 GWh of biomethane from 350,000 tons of agricultural by-products and animal residues. They are expected to save 65,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually. Verdalia, backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, plans to invest over one billion euros by 2026 to expand biomethane projects in Europe. With this acquisition, Verdalia strengthens its market position and supports the decarbonization targets and energy security in Italy.
IT | VORN Bioenergy starts construction of an 8.5 million cubic meter biomethane plant near Ferrara
In December 2024, Bavarian plant manufacturer VORN Bioenergy will start construction of a biomethane plant in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, which will produce 8.5 million cubic meters of biomethane per year - enough to supply 7,000 households with energy. The plant is due to be completed by April 2026 and will create around 30 new jobs. Raw materials consist mainly of plant and animal residues, while the fermentation residues are returned to farmers as organic fertilizer.
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ES | Nortegas Group receives EUR 80 million EIB loan for biomethane plant construction
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing the Nortegas Group with up to EUR 80 million to finance the construction of biomethane plants in Spain and a digital operations center. By 2030, Nortegas Renovables plans to produce 3.5 TWh of biomethane per year, mainly from agricultural waste such as manure and vegetable residues, which will be fed into the existing gas grid. The project contributes to decarbonization, strengthening the local economy and implementing the EU's REPowerEU programme, which aims to secure the energy supply in Europe and accelerate the use of renewable energies.
GR | Italgas Group plans strategic investment of €1 billion in Greek gas infrastructure
Italgas plans to invest a total of one billion euros in Greece by 2030 to drive forward the country's energy transition. The measures, implemented by the subsidiary Enaon, include the expansion of the gas network by 3,000 km, the digitalization of the infrastructure through H2-compatible smart meters (“Nimbus”) and automation using DANA software, as well as the integration of biomethane and green hydrogen. Around 18 cities are to be connected to the gas grid for the first time, increasing the number of customers from 615,000 to 920,000 by 2030. Nine LNG depots are also planned for isolated regions, and state-of-the-art technologies such as Picarro for gas leak detection will significantly increase grid security and efficiency.
JP | Cooperation between Mitsubishi Electric and Orbital Gas Systems develops new biomethane feed-in unit
Mitsubishi Electric and Orbital Gas Systems have jointly developed a new biomethane integration unit to feed biomethane efficiently and safely into the natural gas grid. Using Mitsubishi's iQ-R PLC and GOT HMI technology, the control system has been optimized, significantly improving data access, troubleshooting and maintenance. The web-based platform now allows secure remote access to multiple users simultaneously, speeding up fault diagnosis and reducing downtime. The improved unit has already been installed at ten sites across the UK, helping to increase the reliability of the biomethane feed-in and promote sustainability in the gas supply.
FR | Fives and Waga Energy enter into development partnership for biomethane technology
Fives and Waga Energy have agreed on a long-term partnership to optimize and globally distribute the WAGABOX® technology. These patented systems use cryogenic distillation to convert landfill gas into biomethane, replacing fossil natural gas. Fives supplies tailor-made heat exchangers and thus supports the standardization of the plants to ensure reliable and competitive biomethane production.
BR | Yara launches establishment of sustainable ammonia production based on biomethane
The Norwegian fertilizer manufacturer Yara has started producing ammonia-based products from renewable biomethane in Cubatão, Brazil, and has already delivered the first shipments of several tons to customers. The biomethane is produced from sugar cane waste and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to fossil natural gas. With its production facility, the company aims to make a decisive contribution to the decarbonization of the food and industrial value chains as well as to Brazil's energy and agricultural transition.