This project marks the completion (Phase 2c) of a programme of work delivered in support of CEN and Technical Committee CEN/TC408 initiated by DG Ener, aimed at revision of the standards for and therefore removal of barriers to introduction of biomethane into gas networks and vehicles.
By ensuring that the appropriate standards are fit for purpose at time of revision, the work will ensure that costs of biomethane injection are optimized, and there are no undue burdens on producers. This work is expected to enable growth of the biomethane industry and confidence that investments can be made in biomethane production and injection. It will therefore help to ensure the removal of barriers to achieving the RePowerEU target of 35BCM of biomethane by 2030 by aligning needs of producers, transporters and end users.
The programme is therefore highly relevant in advancing regulatory work for greening the gas grid under the Green Deal. It is also relevant for implementing RED II with maximum impact. In cooperation with CEN TC 408, its stakeholder community and DG Energy, GERG has developed and has been delivering a workprogramme to address the removal of barriers identified which will enable standardization:
Phase 1 – funded by GERG members to identify barriers SA/CEN/RESEARCH/475/2017-07 (2018-2019) – Phase 2a – experimental work on siloxanes, and a literature study on impacts of sulfur, impacts of oxygen, particularly related to underground storage and corrosion, and health impacts.
SA/CEN/RESEARCH/475/2019-09 (2020-2022, Phase 2b, ongoing) – continued experimental work on siloxanes, commencement of experimental campaign on sulphur, and on oxygen impacts. Improving specific knowledge on biomethane at the European level, particularly in relation to impact of feedstocks, The project proposed here (2022-2024, Phase 2c) – Completion of the experimental and literature campaigns begun in Phase 2b to support the delivery by CEN TC 408 and update of the standards.
The BIOSTAR2c project consists of 5 different work packages:
- WP1: Project Management and Coordination
- WP2: Impact of siloxanes on industrial boilers
- WP3: Impact of sulphur on Natural Gas vehicles
- WP4: Impact of oxygen on Underground Gas Storage (UGS) and impact of corrosive compounds
- WP5: Improving European Biomethane Knowledge
BIOSTAR2c counts two European partners that will work together on this project over 24 months.
This project has received funding from Horizon Europe under Grant Agreement No 101112475.
