Renewable energy, key to the circular economy

In the context of the energy transition and environmental crisis we have been experiencing for years, the United Nations COP28 Climate Summit held in 2023 agreed to promote the reduction of fossil fuels to combat climate change and transition to renewable energies. Catalonia is committed to biogas and biomethane to reduce emissions, move towards energy independence, and promote a more sustainable circular economy.

Biogas and biomethane are surely two of the least known renewable energies. That is why ARA, in collaboration with Naturgy, organized a meeting yesterday at the Lleida Stock Exchange with experts to find out what role biogas can play in the energy transition and the circular economy. The round table, moderated by physicist and meteorologist Enric Agud, featured Xavier Flotats, tenured professor of environmental engineering at the University of Lleida (UdL) until 2005, director of the GIRO Technology Center, and professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) since 2009, where he is currently professor emeritus; Víctor Falguera, coordinator of BioHubCat, Catalonia's bioeconomy hub; Jordi Siscart, a livestock farmer from Alcarràs and head of the pig sector at Young Farmers and Ranchers of Catalonia; and Joan Plana, head of biomethane plants in the Nedgia network, a gas distributor within the Naturgy group.

Environmental Impact and Energy Potential

Biogas is a renewable energy source that transforms waste into useful resources. It converts waste into gas for energy use and organic nutrients that can replace chemical fertilizers, reducing emissions that contribute to climate change. Depending on its intended use, the biogas is purified by separating methane, carbon dioxide, and other components to obtain biomethane. Biogas plants help reduce air and groundwater pollution that can be generated by slurry and household organic waste. They also allow for the utilization of waste materials to generate renewable energy and obtain higher-value products. Biomethane can be injected into the grid and replace common uses of natural gas such as heating, electricity generation, or transportation fuel.

According to the latest greenhouse gas inventory from the Catalan Office for Climate Change, in Catalonia in 2023, sectors producing organic matter emitted 128,000 tons of methane, equivalent to 3.6 million tons of CO2. This energy released into the atmosphere is equivalent to 1.8 terawatt-hours, which is the energy consumed by 270,000 gasoline cars on average for a year. Biogas prevents these gases from being released into the atmosphere and allows them to be harnessed; it eliminates the CO2 emissions from this fossil fuel that is being replaced, potentially saving more CO2 than any other renewable energy source. Biogas has added value in terms of global decarbonization, since, as Joan Plana argued, "it allows us to align with the European renewable energy directive, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, replace a fossil fuel, and reduce dependence on natural gas, especially from Russia."

A strategic opportunity

In the current climate crisis, where an energy transition is essential, biogas presents a strategic opportunity, enabling progress towards new sources of raw materials and renewable energy. Within a bioeconomy framework, the more rural a territory is—40% of the province of Lleida is rural and accounts for more than half of its primary production—the more viable an economic system based on the valorization of renewable organic matter becomes. "This opportunity also implies assuming responsibilities and deciding what role Lleida wants to play," noted the coordinator of BioHubCat.

Experts agreed that biogas presents an opportunity to reduce polluting emissions from livestock farming and provide a new source of income for the agricultural and livestock sector: "If a new economy is to be created, a new type of industry is necessary. It's an alternative for moving towards a transformation of the territory with a more credible and diversified activity. It's an opportunity to facilitate the application of nutrients to the land and prevent pollution, while also generating energy," added Jordi Siscart. Professor Flotats emphasized that it is a necessity, more than an opportunity: "There will be no sustainable livestock farming without biogas. Many agricultural waste products already emit methane into the atmosphere; it's a polluting energy source, and on top of that, we're wasting it. All livestock farming should be accompanied by biogas plants."

The BioHubCat coordinator's proposal is to consider biogas production facilities as energy production facilities rather than simply waste treatment plants. In any case, biogas is a mature energy source that generates products with a consistent market. For the head of biomethane plants at the Nedgia Network, it's also necessary to consider how the entire chain is linked, from the primary sector to energy utilization, to move towards a green economy. Falguera understands that the energy model is tied to the territory, but regardless of the model, Catalonia is losing competitiveness in the bioeconomy "because we aren't putting into practice what European regulations encourage us to do." He noted that biogas projects are subject to strict regulations that guarantee safety and sustainability, and these regulations are designed to prevent mismanagement. "From Catalonia, we have entities that participate in processes where they contribute information and specific proposals on where legislation should be directed," he noted.

The challenges

“For years, those of us in the livestock and agricultural sector have been ready to take the next step and become bio-producers,” said Jordi Siscart, but he acknowledged that it had been difficult because they couldn't find the necessary tools or support. It became possible when the pig and cattle farmers of Alcarràs spearheaded the project: “It is essential that this be promoted by the livestock sector—with financial and technical support—in order to be sustainable and guarantee generational renewal.” The main obstacle to achieving this, beyond the potential costs and securing network connections, is reaching agreements to promote joint projects between different municipalities. Falguera believes that although Bioproductors Alcarràs could be a model to replicate, it is not enough to simply get livestock farmers, agricultural producers, industrial companies, or potential technology partners on board: “If we want a positive territorial impact, cooperation and co-ownership are essential to have decision-making power.”

Country Guidelines

Beyond the goodwill of the main stakeholders and their ability to align themselves, national guidelines are needed on how biogas plants should be organized and what model should be followed. "We need a model that has a future, a long track record, and brings wealth to the region," Plana asserted. He explained that there are more than 1,000 plants in Europe that inject biomethane into the grid. Different models exist, but in recent decades all the plants have been designed to avoid generating negative externalities.

The scenarios for replacing fossil fuels with renewables are a reality, and projections assure that in the medium, short, and long term, natural gas consumption will decrease. Biomethane has the potential to replace up to 23% of existing natural gas consumption in 2021. There are regions where it would be possible to produce twice as much biomethane as natural gas. It is a renewable energy source that presents few technological challenges and has a significant advantage for the end consumer, who can use this type of gas without even realizing it. "We want to decarbonize the economy, and we can decarbonize all domestic consumption, which can take advantage of the biomethane we generate, replacing domestic gas with biomethane at zero cost and at a very competitive price," stated Plana. For this to happen, small regulatory changes are needed: "We need more targeted decisions that allow us to move towards energy sovereignty and decarbonization as a country."

Helecho believes it's important to think of the biogas plant as a seed, the central point of an area specializing in the valorization of different types of organic matter that work synergistically. Nationally, Catalonia is a pioneer in this field, recognizing that biogas addresses a real need, and from there, "Lleida should be the epicenter not only of biogas treatment and production plants, but of the entire green economy generated by biogas and biomethane."