Delivering more with biomethane
Biomethane offers a versatile and sustainable energy solution, supporting the circular economy and the transition to a low-carbon future. If you are a biomethane producer looking for a reliable offtaker, or a business looking to accelerate on the path to net-zero, we can help you to get more from biomethane.
Supporting biomethane production in Europe
At Shell Energy, we see biomethane as a key renewable fuel that can underpin the energy transition. That has driven our determination to build Europe鈥檚 leading biomethane business.
We have played a role in increasing production across the continent, by partnering with producers and providing bankable contracts to kickstart sustainable growth. In 2023 Shell completed its $2 billion acquisition of Nature Energy, the largest biomethane producer in Europe.
We continue to develop infrastructure to support our customers. When operational, our bioLNG plant in Germany will be able to produce up to 100,000 metric tonnes of low-carbon bioLNG every year. This is sufficient to fuel 5,000 LNG-powered trucks a year, helping the transition of commercial transport.
Our investments reflect our active role in growing the biomethane market in Europe and Africa, now and into the future.
The time for biomethane
Biomethane is the most cost-effective, scalable and sustainable renewable gas available today.
It encapsulates a waste-to-energy solution, providing dual benefits by reducing waste accumulation and generating energy. This helps to promote a circular economy, driving economic growth across all sectors while minimising the associated environmental impact.
Building out biomethane infrastructure supports energy efficiency and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and imports, contributing to a more resilient and greener energy system.
Biomethane is a solution available now and growing fast, through support from initiatives including REPowerEU and the Biomethane Action Plan to achieve a 10-fold increase in production to 35bcm by 2030.
Whether you are a producer or a customer, there has never been a better time to speak with us about biomethane.
Biomethane producers
If you鈥檝e got the biomethane, you can bank on our expertise across the full biomethane value chain. So you can look forward to growing your business.
Biomethane customers
If you鈥檙e looking to decarbonise, you can count on our expertise across the full biomethane value chain. Giving you the power to reduce your emissions.
Turning waste into value
The process may sound complex but the premise is simple: transform something that no-one needs (waste) into something that everyone needs (energy).
Feedstock
Anaerobic digestion makes use of a range of feedstocks - typically organic materials which include animal manure, food waste and agricultural residues. Using these for biomethane production helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable waste management.
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a process through which naturally-occurring microorganisms break down - or digest - feedstock and convert it into biogas, bioCO2 and digestate. The process typically occurs in a sealed, oxygen-free environment called an anaerobic digester.
Digestate
In this circular economy approach, digestate - the nutrient-rich material left behind after anaerobic digestion - can be processed for use as a fertiliser or soil improver. Its use substitutes demand for synthetic fertilisers and generates more revenue for producers.
叠颈辞颁翱鈧�
Biogenic CO鈧�, or bioCO鈧�, is a by-product of anaerobic digestion, regarded as a renewable form of CO鈧� since it originates from the carbon present in organic feedstock. It can be captured and stored through carbon capture and storage systems or put to use through carbon capture and utilisation processes in a wide variety of applications.
Biomethane
Biomethane is a purified form of biogas, which has been upgraded to meet existing pipeline quality. It is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and can be injected into the gas grid or compressed or liquefied for use as a transport fuel.
Gas Grid
Europe鈥檚 gas infrastructure is biomethane-ready, since biomethane can be injected into the existing gas distribution network. This characteristic will help to drive faster decarbonisation and a better-balanced energy supply.
Low Carbon Fuels
Bio-liquefied natural gas (bioLNG) and bio-Compressed Natural Gas (bioCNG) are biofuels which are already helping to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport, including road freight and marine. The use of bioLNG further reduces CO2 emissions while retaining all the other advantages of liquefied natural gas (LNG)
