We need and use sustainable biofuels such as biomethane from now on to achieve decarbonization of heat transfer. Biomethane can be the main factor driving this process. Biogas is growing and can generate electricity and heat from organic waste. The growth rate of fuel grade biomethane is even faster. Biomethane is an upgraded biogas that has been purified to high concentrations and is not used for power generation or heating. Biomethane is an energy rich and fossil free natural gas substitute. Vaisala is proud to be able to promote the development of this field.

　　So how can we achieve the zero carbon goal?

Although every small measure helps us achieve this goal, we still need significant changes. By combining ambitious goals with practical applications, the ambitious zero carbon goal of avoiding greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved. In other words, it means using renewable energy while improving overall energy and resource efficiency.

Consider the quantity of biological waste. Currently, approximately 98% of biological waste is discarded. No carbon is captured, let alone converted into renewable energy in the form of biomethane. If we could capture most of the carbon, the world would be a different place.

　　So what should we do?

　　Three meaningful development paths:

　first.Utilize wastewater treatment. Anaerobic fermentation of the solids generated during this process is a simple method for producing more biogas and fuel grade biomethane. More importantly, the remaining solids in this process can be used as fertilizer in reverse, further reducing the demand for synthetic fertilizers and alleviating or even reversing the consumption of natural nutrients in the soil.

　secondly.Establish more so-called 'waste to energy' (EfW) factories. Urban solid waste (MSW) and sewage sludge are the main sources for processing into biogas and upgrading to biomethane. A large part of the waste generated in daily life is these things. As resources, these wastes can always be used for any purpose and purpose, and they can also be obtained at negative cost - that is to say, you will receive benefits while obtaining them. The remaining issue is how to efficiently process it - ultimately obtaining fuel grade biomethane that can be sold, injected into the national natural gas network, or transported in tanks.

　　thirdUse landfill gas for heating and power generation. This is the traditional method among the three, which will continue to play its role in helping to directly convert urban waste into energy and heat for use in the same city. But this is no longer the primary choice, because firstly, traditional landfill has long been outdated. Secondly, compared to directly upgrading to fuel grade biomethane, the energy efficiency of using cogeneration engines to burn raw biogas to generate energy is much lower, especially with the increasing popularity of other renewable sources of electricity such as wind and solar power. More importantly, the last point opens up another role for biomethane: to obtain surplus electricity from the aforementioned renewable energy sources through the process of electricity to gas (or P2G) conversion.

　　Non fossil gas economy:

Based on the above analysis, we will develop a green fuel economy. The goal of countries such as France is to eliminate fossil gases by 2035, while the UK and the US hope to increase biomethane production by several orders of magnitude in the coming decades. This shows that the path to building a green and environmentally friendly future is open.

As governments around the world develop incentive measures and plans to increase the production of direct waste to biomethane, the first two pathways are expected to develop strongly, while the third pathway will continue to play a role in the short term.

We believe that the development emphasized here is necessary and positive, and we are proud to provide measuring instruments to companies and utilities at the forefront of the green energy industry.