Biogas and biomethane

Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide naturally produced from the decomposition of organic elements. It can be burnt in a motor and produce electricity and heat. It is one of the few new renewable sources that can be partly regulated if a biogas storage is present.  

Biomethane is a gas composed mainly of methane obtained from the purification of biogas and can be used as a substitute for natural gas. Biomethane can also be introduced into the natural gas network or transported as compressed or liquefied gas and used for heating, domestic use, cogeneration or other uses in the industry and for motor vehicles. Biomethane is a key energy vector to allow the gradual transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to a decarbonised and more sustainable fuels. It contains at least 95% of methane and derives from the biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of biomass in a controlled or landfilled environment, following the decomposition of waste or the gas deriving from the gasification of biomass. Subjected to a process of upgrading (or purification), it has chemical-physical characteristics similar to those of natural gas. It respects the technical regulations and is suitable for the compression phase and for the introduction into the natural gas network.