Renewable natural gas: Everything you need to know

Renewable natural gas is considered to be an innovative source of carbon neutral energy that is playing a significant role to lower customers’ greenhouse gas emissions. Remember that renewable natural gas functions similarly to conventional natural gas in businesses and homes. Technically, it’s sometimes added into the gas distribution system to reduce the amount of conventional natural gas that you use. This post discusses renewable natural gas.

Sources of renewable natural gas

Some of the usual sources of renewable natural gas include animal manure, landfills, wastewater sludge, and food scraps. It’s worth noting that bacteria break down organic matter in the wastes and produce carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases and solids via a process called anaerobic digestion. The resultant biogas can then be upgraded or processed to remove impurities to ensure it’s almost pure methane.

Today, landfills account for the majority of renewable natural gas production. Landfills are also usually more economical than other waste sources. Most landfills tend to have methane collection systems, and they can produce more natural gas in a specific area.

Other less concentrated resources like food waste and animal manure are now good sources of renewable natural gas, though they may face more economical challenges and can need extra incentives or policy support.

Renewable natural gas can also be sourced from organic wastes, such as forestry and agricultural residues. Grass clippings, corn plants after harvest, tree trimmings, and many more are organic wastes. These feed stocks have good energy potential , but are now yet a significant source of renewable natural gas.

Using renewable natural gas

Renewable natural gas is presently being utilized as a transportation fuel, especially as it works as a substitute for diesel. Because of its interchangeability with natural gas, you can also use renewable natural gas in a variety of applications. It has a good potential as an energy source in existing industrial applications or buildings.

Renewable natural gas production has greenhouse gas emissions benefits, so you can use it to avoid these gas emissions that can happen in usual waste management practices.

The production and usage of renewable natural gas produced from organic waste has been increasing over the years. This is the reason why there are now several production facilities that are making the fuel which can be used interchangeably with fossil natural gas.

Because of the potential benefits of this gas compared to fossil fuels, it’s easier to integrate it into your climate goals. There is good evidence suggesting that significant amounts of the renewable natural gas can be generated to replace a reasonable percentage of current fossil gas consumption while still delivering other benefits associated with waste management.

That said, remember that Utility Bidder can help you access natural gas at a competitive price. Fortunately, there are many reputable natural gas suppliers on the market that provide excellent services. Therefore, make sure that you compare natural gas suppliers to get the best one. A good natural gas supplier needs to offer affordable gas tariffs that fit your budget.