Biomethane plants

One of the possible ways of obtaining electricity and heat from renewable sources is to build a biomethane station which can be used to produce biomethane from biomass, secondary materials products from livestock production, and biodegradable materials. Such biomethane can be further used after treatment.

Biomethane production is the same as biogas production – by means of anaerobic fermentation in biogas stations. To obtain the quality of biomethane corresponding to natural gas parameters defined in the Technical Conditions and published on the website of SPP distribúcia, biogas must be cleaned from non-combustible substances and sulphur compounds, and must be dried and have an increased share of methane in it. Different kinds of technology serve for this purpose, e.g. in a thermal way using water washer, or by carbon dioxide separation by means of a membrane. The choice of technology depends on the distribution network operator and on the specific conditions of each project. After treated, biomethane is pressed by the compressor and conveyed to the distribution network. Given the fact that quality parameters of such biomethane are identical to the parameters of natural gas, it can be supplied to any suitable take-off point connected to the gas distribution network. This is precisely the great advantage of a biomethane station, as it allows us to locate the source of energy generation at a place where we can fully use the energy produced. Biomethane is the most versatile renewable energy source. It can be used in the electricity and heating sectors, or in transport. In practice, this means that the source of energy – the cogeneration unit – is placed, for example, in a manufacturing factory which can use both electricity and heat, which is impossible at most biogas stations. Another benefit is that it can be used in existing facilities using natural gas without building new sources of energy generation. The sources of energy depend on the amount of produced gas. The website of SPP distribúcia describes in detail the process of connecting the biomethane production equipment to the distribution network.