The Grid Ready Forum in Brussels, initiated by the European Biogas Association, concluded with a set of key recommendations to speed up biomethane injection into Europe’s gas grids.
The moves would contribute to Europe’s energy security and decarbonisation at a competitive cost.
Grid injection will be key to realise the large future potential of biomethane production, fostering the growth of a homegrown renewable gas within Europe.
The Forum calls on the European Commission to take decisive leadership in advancing Renewable Acceleration Areas (RAAs) for biomethane by developing guidance for implementing a zoning approach and attributing public interest status to biomethane projects, and facilitating peer exchanges among member states.
Additionally, it supports the development of guidelines with regard to “reasonable time limits” for grid connection.
Zoning would facilitate cost-effective integration of biomethane into grids and ensure targeted grid reinforcements.
These investments, such as reversed flow stations, meshing and dedicated pipelines will significantly increase the acceleration of European biomethane production, supporting both EU and national climate goals.
Grid connection costs were also a central topic of discussion. The Forum encouraged national authorities, in partnership with grid operators, to include cost-sharing mechanisms in their regulations on grid connection and reinforcements.
A key message is that the deployment of biomethane to replace fossil fuels does not require the large investments, and the existing gas infrastructure is biomethane-ready.
This is central to ramping up decarbonisation and providing affordable renewable energy for consumers.
“As it is easily stored and produced at a constant pace, biomethane injection also helps balance energy supply from intermittent energy sources of renewable origin, as part of a forward-looking energy mix,” according to a statement.
The calls come ahead of the European Commission’s Energy Infrastructure Forum in June, which will focus on the challenges of accelerating Europe’s energy infrastructure to meet the EU’s decarbonisation targets.
