Spain Powers Up with Clean Energy
The Potential of Biogas and Biomethane
20.08.2024
Renewable energy is not a new concept, but its importance has never been clearer than it is today. As global awareness grows, so does the need for sustainable and efficient solutions.
Biogas and biomethane stand out as viable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, offering considerable environmental benefits. These renewable gases are produced from organic waste, making them a key part of the circular economy.
With a commitment to innovation in waste management and energy production, PreZero Spain is setting an impressive example in the transition to renewable energy. In this article, we explore the various initiatives involved in this shift and the outstanding achievements already made. We also discuss the progress potential for these projects and our goals moving forward.
Tomorrow's Fuel from Today's Food Waste
Improved waste separation processes have been developed as the value of organic and food waste has become clear to more people and businesses. This sets the stage for converting waste into usable energy, starting with its separate collection and transportation from households and industries to treatment facilities. Here, the waste is unloaded and undergoes pre-treatment to remove any non-organic materials, ensuring only organic matter is processed.
Next, the organic waste is subjected to anaerobic digestion. In this stage, digesters create an oxygen-free environment where microorganisms break down the waste. The result is biogas, a renewable gas composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. Once biogas is produced, it can be used directly for generating electricity, heating, and as a fuel for certain types of engines.
To make it even more useful and efficient, biogas can sometimes be upgraded to biomethane. This transformation involves using technologies like membrane filtration and cryogenic distillation to concentrate its methane content. The resulting biomethane, which has properties similar to natural gas, can be injected into the gas grid for domestic and industrial use. Additionally, biomethane can serve as a vehicle fuel, making it a robust and versatile renewable energy solution.
The benefits of biogas and biomethane are evident. Not only do they provide a renewable energy source derived from organic waste, but they also help reduce landfill use and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Biomethane's ability to replace natural gas in various applications improves energy independence and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Waste Management in Spain Today
At present, Spain produces around 22.2 million tons of municipal waste per year. To address this, there are many projects underway that focus on improving reuse and recycling by increasing the value of what is usually thrown away. Depending on the specific practices and facilities available in each area, organic waste is managed differently. While much of the waste is composted, some regions transform it into biogas and biomethane through innovative strategies.
These efforts are shining examples of the benefits of renewable energy, helping the country move toward a cleaner future. Here's a snippet of some of the most impactful programs:
Can Mata Project
The Can Mata project is the largest biogas-to-biomethane private transformation initiative in Spain. This project captures biogas from waste deposits and converts it into biomethane, providing about 70 GWh of renewable gas annually. To put it into perspective, the amount of energy produced can power 14,000 homes or 200 buses per year, substantially reducing CO₂ emissions by 17,500 tons yearly.
Valdemingómez Plant
The Valdemingómez plant in Madrid has expanded to increase its capacity, injecting an impressive 180 GWh worth of biomethane into the gas network every year. This expansion can power 35,000 homes or 500 buses annually, helping reduce CO₂ emissions by over 43,500 tons per year.
Bizkaia Biomethanization Plant
Located in the Ecoparque de Artigas, Bilbao, this plant will treat 50,000 tons of organic waste annually, producing 7 million cubic meters of biogas, which is equivalent to 44 GWh per year. A collaboration between PreZero, Garbiker, and CADEM, the plant is expected to be operational by 2025. It aims to meet the thermal energy needs of 8,700 homes yearly and reduce emissions by 95%, a bold target for bringing sustainable energy production to the region.
Steady Progress and Commitment
Spain is making remarkable strides in the renewable energy sector, as evidenced by the biogas projects at Can Mata, Valdemingómez, and Bizkaia. Using cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches, these projects continue to inspire further advancements in sustainable waste management.
The ongoing development and implementation of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and various upgrading technologies will play a crucial role in this transformation. These advancements will optimize the process of converting organic waste into renewable energy, maximizing the production of biogas and biomethane.
Future Prospects and Goals
Biogas and biomethane are indispensable for a successful global shift toward renewable energy. They offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a circular economy. Spain is already on track to become a European leader in this sector.
Looking further ahead, Spain has an even more ambitious target for 2050: replacing up to 30% of fossil gas consumption with biogas and biomethane.
The country aims to significantly increase the production of renewable gases, hoping to meet 10% of its annual gas demand with biogas and biomethane by 2030. Looking further ahead, Spain has an even more ambitious target for 2050: replacing up to 30% of fossil gas consumption with biogas and biomethane.
Committing to this change will hinge on strong public-private partnerships and ongoing developments in waste management and energy production technologies. These investments are essential steps toward a cleaner, more energy-independent future for Spain.
More contributions
Organic Waste
An Untapped Resource
From kitchen scraps to garden clippings, organic waste often goes unnoticed in our daily lives. Everyday activities like cooking and gardening continually contribute to this stream. But what if we viewed this "waste" as a sustainable resource? By managing organic waste in the right way, we can transform it into valuable solutions like compost and energy, or even produce nutritious feed for animals.