Review of technologies for biomethane production and assessment of Eu transport share in 2030
Open accessAbstract
The upgrade to biomethane allows extending biogas applications to transport sectors, supporting EU goals toward carbon neutrality. Biomethane produced from biogas upgrading can today rely on a large number of plants, estimated by the European Biogas Association in over 17000 in 2016, for a total installed capacity of 9985 GW (EBA, 2017). After 2020, biogas and biomethane will count towards the 32% target of renewable energy share of the EU energy consumption, and towards a sub-target of minimum 14% of the energy consumed in the transport sector by 2030 (REDII). In this framework, the paper aims to define the current market penetration of biogas upgrading technologies. A database has been created for EU-28, to highlight the relative importance of each technology. Based on the database, a EU production potential is defined, along with the EU demand potential for transport, in order to verify the match between supply and demand. The analysis of the current state of play of the sector suggests that a large potential can be foreseen for near future; the expected increase in biomethane production is based also on the possibility to convert residual feedstocks, such as Municipal Solid Wastes. In this work a moderate technology penetration scenario has been set for EU-28, reaching a potential for biomethane of 18 billion m3/year in 2030. A large share of this potential can be devoted to transport, with a relevant impact on the sector. LNG appears suitable for pushing the market uptake of biomethane in the transport sector. Among the potential uses of biomethane for transport, it is worth considering that the natural gas use in the maritime and internal waterways sectors is getting momentum. The current analysis aimed to highlight the potential of renewable energy-based alternatives to natural gas. Eventually, it is worth noticing that the real market deployment of this potential will be determined by the energy market conditions, and by the member states capability to stimulate the industry through a coherent set of supporting initiatives.
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Biogas has multiple applications in heat and electricity production as well as a raw material for production of several biofuels and can also be used for production of biomethane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
“Biogas has multiple applications in heat and electricity production as well as a raw material for production of several biofuels and can also be used for production of biomethane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction describes electricity and heat applications and the upgrading of biogas to biomethane; its technology review also describes producing Bio-LNG as a road fuel. It does not establish that biogas is a raw material for several other biofuels or that it is used to produce hydrogen. In Results and discussion, hydrogen is instead produced from renewable electricity for use in a methanation reaction. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBiogas is a mixture of several gases mainly 50-80% methane, 20-45% carbon dioxide, 2-8% water vapor, effluent, and trace gases consisting mainly of O2, N2, NH3, H2, and H2S.
“Biogas is a mixture of several gases mainly 50-80% methane, 20-45% carbon dioxide, 2-8% water vapor, effluent, and trace gases consisting mainly of O 2 , N 2 , NH 3 , H 2 , and H 2 S [40,43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction (page unavailable) says biogas composition varies with feedstock and process, and gives methane ranges of 45–60% for landfill gas and 60–70% for organic-waste digesters—not the claimed 50–80%. The discussion of upgrading identifies CO2 and H2S in biogas, but our copy does not substantiate the claimed CO2 or water-vapor percentages, effluent, or the full trace-gas list. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBiogas use in electricity production is not quite common although it is slowly becoming standard practice in developed countries like Germany.
“Its use in electricity production is not quite common although it is slowly becoming standard practice in a number of developed countries like Germany [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction reports substantial biogas energy production in Europe and more than 10,000 biogas plants in Germany. It does not establish that using biogas to produce electricity is generally uncommon or that it is slowly becoming standard practice in Germany. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredElectricity generation from biogas is feasible using engines and turbines as well as conversion to energy carriers like fuel cells.
“Electricity generation from biogas is feasible using engines and turbines as well as conversion to energy careers like fuel cells [43,75].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies electricity as an application of biogas upgraded to biomethane and describes energy production at biogas plants. It does not identify engines, turbines, or fuel cells as means of generating electricity from biogas; searches for those terms found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAll engines designed for use in cars, trucks, and ships can run on biogas, making biogas to electricity conversion with engines technically feasible.
“However, all engines designed for use in cars, trucks, and ships can run on biogas, making biogas to electricity conversion with engines technically feasible [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction says biogas installations produce electricity and discusses upgraded biogas (biomethane) as a road fuel. The transport-demand section also considers biomethane for road and marine transport. Neither passage says that all car, truck, and ship engines can run on biogas or establishes engine-based biogas-to-electricity conversion. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
These will make the systems economical, cleaner, technically sustainable, and socially acceptable for wider adaptation.
“These will make the systems economical, cleaner, technically sustainable, and socially acceptable for wider adaptation [43,134].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction’s review of biogas-upgrading technologies (page unavailable) identifies commercially available methods and says market readiness depends on capacity and reliability. The Results and discussion section (page unavailable) also links market penetration to whether technologies can be scaled to biogas plants, while noting high costs for some. These passages address technical and economic considerations, but do not establish that the systems will become economical, cleaner, and socially acceptable for wider adoption. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredA study modeled on a 50 kW biogas power plant in Kenya for medium and large plants (>50 kW) showed that the average payback period based on an electricity tariff price of 0.15 US$/kWh is about 6 years under very favorable conditions and about 9 years for unfavorable conditions.
“A study modeled on a 50 kW biogas powerplant plant by German GTZ experts in Kenya for medium and large plants (>50 kW) showed that the average payback period based on price electricity tariff price of 0.15 US$/kWh is about 6 years under very favorable conditions, and about 9 years for unfavorable conditions.”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 0 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 2 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFor more efficient larger biogas conversion systems, the average electricity potential is 10-100 kW/m3.
“For more efficient larger biogas conversion systems, the average electricity potential is 10-100 kW/m 3 [7,43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses biogas plants’ high availability and energy production, while Results and discussion estimates biomethane production capacity. Neither section gives an average electricity potential of 10–100 kW/m³ for larger conversion systems; searches for that range, unit, and system-size relationship found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBiogas is superior to natural gas as a fuel because its combustion is characterized by a high knock resistance and hence can accommodate higher compression ratios leading to more output and higher power density when used in internal combustion engines.
“Biogas is superior to natural gas as a fuel because its combustion is characterized by a high knock resistance and hence can accommodate higher compression ratios leading to more output and higher power density when used in internal combustion engines [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses biogas composition and upgrading biomethane for road transport, while the Conclusions describe biomethane as an alternative to natural gas. Neither passage addresses knock resistance, compression ratios, engine output, or power density. Searches for those terms and for a biogas–natural-gas engine comparison found no supporting passage in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe main challenge with biogas fuel cells is that they need a very clean gas and the system is quite expensive and is currently still research and development stage.
“The main challenge with biogas fuel cells is that they need a very clean gas and the system is quite expensive and is currently still research and development stage [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction’s review of biogas-upgrading technologies discusses gas purification and costs for separation processes, not biogas fuel cells. Searches for fuel cells, clean-gas requirements, costs, and research-and-development status found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.73)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAlmost all known biogas power plants in developing countries rely on financial support from international donors and financial support, which is evidence of doubtful economic and financial feasibility.
“Of concern is that almost all known biogas power plants in developing countries rely on financial support from international donors and financial which is evidence of doubtful economic and financial feasibility [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses national incentives for biogas in European countries, not international-donor funding in developing countries. Searches for donor support and financial feasibility found no passage in our copy addressing the claimed prevalence of such funding or its implications for viability; page numbers were unavailable. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTheoretically, biogas can be used in all types of combustion engines, engines like gas turbines, diesel engines, and Stirling engines, and others.
“Theoretically, biogas can be used in all types of combustion engines, engines like gas turbines, diesel engines, and Stirling engines, and others [43,46,56].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction says that upgraded biogas has applications in electricity, heat and road transport, but it does not address whether biogas can be used in all types of combustion engines. Searches for Stirling engines, gas turbines and diesel engines found no supporting passage in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFurther studies based on scenarios for other developing countries in Africa showed that biogas grid-connected electricity generation is not economically viable for small biogas plants.
“Further studies based on scenarios for other developing countries in Africa showed that biogas grid-connected electricity generation is not economically viable for small biogas plants [43, 110] [43, 77].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Results and discussion section examines EU biomethane-upgrading plants and notes high costs for one upgrading technology at small scale. It does not address grid-connected electricity generation or its economic viability in African countries; searches for those terms found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredStudies show that for diesel engines of engine sizes up to about 200 kW, the pilot injection engines appear to have superior performance with slightly higher efficiency of 3-4% higher and at lower investment costs.
“Studies show that for diesel engines of engine sizes up to about 200 kW, the pilot injection engines appear to have superior performance with slightly higher efficiency of 3-4% higher and at lower investment costs [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Results and discussion section addresses biomethane demand and CNG/LNG vehicle uptake, not pilot-injection diesel-engine performance. Searches for pilot injection, engines up to 200 kW, a 3–4% efficiency advantage, and investment costs found no passage in our copy supporting the claim. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSmall biogas power units are relatively expensive, and since they rotate at very high speeds while operating at high temperatures, the gas turbine design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance are a challenge from both engineering and engineering material point of view making their wide adoption and use in power generation limited.
“These units are relatively expensive, and since they rotate at very high speeds while operating at high temperatures, the gas turbine design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance are a challenge from both engineering and engineering material point of view making their wide adoption and use in power generation limited [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 0 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 2 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredStirling engines are relatively expensive, have lower thermal efficiency, and have limited applications compared to internal combustion engines like diesel and petrol engines.
“However, Stirling engines are relatively expensive, have lower thermal efficiency, and have limited applications compared to internal combustion engines like diesel and petrol engines [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction’s review of biogas-upgrading technologies discusses costs of cryogenic separation, not Stirling engines. The Results and discussion section addresses biomethane use in transport but does not compare engine costs, thermal efficiency, or applications. Searches for “Stirling engine” and for engine efficiency and cost found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEconomic analysis of several biogas power generation systems is contradictory or inconsistent but generally gives payback periods of 1.5-2.5 years.
“Economic analysis of several biogas power generation systems is contradictory or inconsistent but generally gives payback periods of 1.5-2.5 years.”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses biogas support mechanisms, and Results and discussion compares biomethane production estimates, but neither addresses economic analyses of biogas power-generation systems. Searches for payback periods, the 1.5–2.5-year range, and inconsistent economic findings found no supporting passage in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThis makes biogas electricity comparable to the price of grid electricity and bottled LPG for biomethane.
“This makes biogas electricity comparable to the price of grid electricity and bottled LPG for biomethane [3,18,19,43,105].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses biogas electricity, biomethane and electricity tariffs, but does not compare their prices with grid electricity or bottled LPG. Searches for grid-electricity prices, bottled LPG and fuel-cost comparisons found no passage in our copy that addresses the claimed price comparability. (LLM, conf=0.74)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe production of electricity from biogas is quite limited in developing countries like Africa.
“The production of electricity from biogas is quite limited in developing countries like Africa [43].”
From Biogas Production and Applications in the Sustainable Energy Transition (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction discusses biogas energy production in Europe, and the Results and discussion examines EU biomethane plants and potential. Searches for Africa, developing countries, and limited biogas electricity generation found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBy 2030, the usage of biomethane in vehicles for compressed natural gas and liquified natural gas will increase to 30 billion m3/yr.
“By 2030, the usage of biomethane in vehicles for compressed natural gas and liquified natural gas will increase to 30 billion m3/yr.”
From Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review (2022) · cites this paper as Prussi et al. 2019
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- Authors
- Prussi, M., Padella, M., Conton, M., Postma, E. D., & Lonza, L.
- Affiliations
- Joint Research Centre (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Prussi, M.
- ORCID
- Prussi, M.
- Venue
- Journal of Cleaner Production
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-06
- Volume
- 222
- Pages
- 565-572
- ISSN
- 0959-6526 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7099754
- OpenAlex
- W2922236628
- Cited by
- 202
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 17.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Cleaner Production (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PORTO@Iris (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Joint Research Centre (European Commission) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Policy Framework analysis
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Energy Engineering and Power Technology › Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
- Keywords
- biomethane, biogas upgrading, liquefied natural gas, municipal solid waste, transport decarbonization, RED II, renewable energy targets, supply and demand matching, technology penetration, EU-28
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