Decarbonization Avenue : Renewable Natural Gas

Challenges

Methane leakage from anaerobic digesters

Anaerobic digesters also leak methane (reportedly about 3%), and this GHG emission estimate could increase RNG’s overall carbon footprint.

Such leakage from the digester could be from emissions during maintenance of the digester, physical leaks through the roof and side walls, or release of biogas through safety valves due to excess pressure in the digester.


Relevant for

  • Operations & maintenance professional
  • Biomass energy professional

Innovation sector

  • Biotechnology

Other Challenges

Reliable feedstock availability

Costs of RNG transportation & delivery

High capital costs for RNG production

Evolving regulatory and policy structures

Challenges in RNG injection into natural gas pipelines

High capital costs for RNG production

Costs of RNG transportation & delivery

Challenges in RNG injection into natural gas pipelines

Leaks in distribution infrastructure

Lack of sufficient supply

Methane leakage from anaerobic digesters

Stakeholders

  • Corporate researcher