As countries around the world search for ways to cut down carbon emissions and meet climate goals, Denmark has taken a bold step forward. In 2019, the Danish government set a target to reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, ahead of the European Union’s goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. One of the key methods being used to reach this target is the growing use of biogas as a cleaner fuel, reports Wartsila.
Biogas is made by breaking down organic materials like food waste, sewage, farm waste, and manure. Once processed, this gas can be turned into clean energy, known as biomethane. It can be used to power vehicles, heat homes and businesses, or even fuel large ships. It can also be added to the natural gas supply that many households already use.
Denmark has made strong progress in using biogas. There are already six biogas plants in the country using technology from a company called Gas Solutions. This technology helps turn raw biogas into a cleaner fuel. Two more plants are now being built, and once finished, they will be able to handle 9,000 cubic metres of raw biogas every hour. These projects are part of Denmark’s larger plan to combine different sources of renewable energy into a reliable system.
Other countries in Scandinavia are also stepping up their use of biogas. In Sweden and Finland, several new plants are being built that will start operating in 2025 and 2026. These plants will also use Gas Solutions’ technology.
Elsewhere in Europe, countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Latvia are turning to biogas to cut their reliance on coal, oil, and gas. In the UK, a new project called the Green Gas Mill will use grass to produce biogas. The grass will be broken down over two months to produce methane gas, which will then be cleaned and added to the gas supply for homes.
The European Union supports the use of biogas and is offering funding and help to countries that want to build more biogas plants. This effort is part of a wider plan called REPowerEU, which aims to make Europe less dependent on Russian energy by 2030.
A big reason for the success of these projects is the technology developed by Gas Solutions. Their systems can remove nearly all the unwanted gases from raw biogas and turn it into a high-quality fuel. This process is affordable and allows the cleaned gas to be stored and used when needed, such as when there is little wind or sun for other types of renewable energy.
Gas Solutions also offers equipment that turns the cleaned gas into liquid, which is easier to store and transport. This liquid fuel, called bioLNG, is already being used in trucks and ships. It is expected to become more popular as transport companies look for ways to reduce their carbon emissions.
Another new development from the company is a system that captures carbon dioxide, a gas normally released during the cleaning of biogas. Instead of letting it go into the air, the new system cleans and turns it into a liquid that can be sold and reused. This makes biogas an even cleaner fuel and offers plant owners a new way to earn income. The cleaned carbon dioxide can be used in food production or stored for future energy uses.
Biogas is already being used in many ways, from fueling buses to heating homes. As more governments and companies aim to reduce pollution, the demand for biogas is growing. One area that shows a lot of promise is shipping. Some ships are already using bioLNG, and the number is expected to grow as rules on pollution become stricter.
With its strong progress and forward-thinking plans, Denmark—along with other Scandinavian countries—is showing how biogas can help the world move toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.
