European Biogas Association says bio-LNG readily available transport fuel alternative

In Belgium, the European Biogas Association says biomethane as a transport fuel provides a sustainable and readily available alternative for conventional transport fuels. A recent paper shows that by 2050 liquified biomethane (bio-LNG) can reduce GHG emissions in the transport sector by 95% to 174%. This scenario is particularly encouraging for the maritime sector as it meets the target of 75% GHG emissions reduction by 2050 set in EU legislation.

According to the European Environmental Agency, transport is responsible for 27% of Europe’s total GHG emissions and is a major contributor to climate change. The European Commission has recently set a target to increase the share of renewable energy in transport to at least 14% by 2030, including a minimum share of 3.5% of advanced biofuels. One of the options for the fast decarbonisation of the transport sector is to use bio-LNG, produced from organic residues and resulting from the purification of biogas. This renewable fuel is readily available for use at scale and with infrastructure in place.

The paper authored by Floris Goedhart “Sustainable mobility in Europe: Potential market share for bio-LNG in the heavy-duty transport and maritime sectors in 2050” also illustrates that the share of bio-LNG in heavy-duty vehicles and maritime transport in 2050 are equally promising. His research shows that by 2050 the bio-LNG production could amount to 46 – 405 TWh, representing between 1.7% (lowest scenario) and 18.7% (highest scenario) of European transport energy consumption. The market share of bio-LNG could be at least 57% in the heavy-duty vehicles sector or 17% in the maritime sector.